Lessons From Stardew Valley: Part Two

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a game that my kids and I love playing (It's a 3 min read).

One of the things that I love most about this game—Stardew Valley—is how much choice it gives you.

There are games within the larger game.

As I mentioned in my post from a few weeks ago, Stardew Valley is essentially a very relaxing game where you build a life in a small town.

Just like in real life, in this game you can choose many different ways to build a life. Games within the larger game.

You can choose to be a fisherman, a farmer, a miner, a forager, or a mix of them.

You can choose to make a lot of money, make a lot of friends, go on quests, find a partner, or a mix of them.

The point here is that you can essentially choose which game you want to play, within the larger game.

***

We're all playing games within the larger game aren't we?

If the larger game is building a life, then at any given time we are:

Trying to be better partners, parents, and friends.

Trying to progress in our careers.

Trying to discover more about ourselves and perhaps be physically healthier.

The thing I've learned from Stardew Valley, is that everything gets much easier once you decide what game you are playing, within the larger game.

***

If you aren't clear on this, it's almost too easy to fall into the comparison trap.

The comparison trap happens when you focus on the larger game, rather than the game within the game.

You find points of similarity with someone else, and think that just because they're building a life and you're building a life, they are somehow doing it "better" than you.

What if they're playing an entirely different game than you are? Hint: They probably are.

Decide what game you're playing.

Then play it your way.