Whenever I sit down to play a video game, I’m haunted by a nagging sensation that I should be doing something more productive with my time. I’ve spent countless hours throughout my life playing games, and I can’t help but wonder what I might have accomplished if I dedicated my time to doing something else. Perhaps I could have learned an instrument and become a famous musician or spent more time studying and worked my way to an exciting, high paying career. If only I worked harder and spent less time on frivilous hobbies, maybe I’d have the life of my dreams.
We live in a society where the value of a person is often measured by what they do for a living and how much money they make, and the media constantly bombards us with news about the glamorous lives of wealthy celebrities. On top of that, there’s the persistent myth that anyone who struggles financially is simply lazy, and whatever hardship life throws at them is solely a reflection of their own poor decisions.
But reality is much more complicated than that, and people often find themselves struggling for reasons completely outside their control. This is especially true today, as rising prices and stagnating wages have increasingly pushed the American dream out of the reach of most people. At the same time, hustle culture promotes the idea that you should dedicate all of your free time to earning side income even if you already work a full time job.
Spending time on your hobbies can feel like an unearned extravagance and a waste of time, but giving yourself permission to relax and recharge is essential for maintaining your mental health and preventing burnout. Just like a car can’t run on an empty tank, we need to refuel too, and sometimes that means doing something simply because it makes us happy.
Some of my most cherished memories are of playing video games. They helped shape who I am as a person and how I view the world. They expanded my imagination and taught me how to use creativity to overcome challenges. They let me walk in someone else’s shoes and consider perspectives I never would have encountered otherwise.
Many games offer rich narratives with multifaceted characters and morally complex situations, and gamers are uniquely able to experience these stories in an interactive way. The player doesn’t just passively watch characters overcome obstacles and struggle with difficult choices. They are active participants in the story, choosing how to approach problems and how to interact with other characters. This makes games deeply immersive and emotionally impactful in ways that few works in other mediums can match.
Games also reinforce useful skills like problem-solving, strategic thinking, and hand-eye coordination. They can improve cognitive abilities like spatial reasoning, observation and memory, and have even been shown to help prevent dementia in older adults. Skills learned in video games often transfer over to real world situations in unexpected ways. You’ll probably never save the world or fight a dragon in real life, but knowing how to think quickly on your feet and adapt to new situations is incredibly useful in all sorts of real world scenarios.
Games can also teach interpersonal skills and help those who struggle with social anxiety. Multiplayer games can be a great way to make friends, and single player games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley provide a safe space to practice social interactions in a virtual setting. Games often give the player access to the private lives and motivations of characters in a way that is rarely possible in real life. This can help develop empathy and compassion for those different from ourselves and is particularly useful to individuals with conditions like autism or those who struggle with understanding other people.
Alternatively, games can provide an opportunity to express negative emotions in a consequence free environment. Instead of taking out your aggression on real people, you can mow down a herd of zombies, or steal a car and cause as much mayhem as possible. Most people wouldn’t want to do this in real life, but in the fantasy world of video games it can be an excellent way to blow off steam.
Balance is key. While it’s important not to let any hobby dominate your life, it’s equally important to acknowledge the value of relaxing and having fun. Productivity isn’t solely about outputting work or achieving external success. It’s also about nurturing your wellbeing, fostering creativity, and pursuing passions that bring you joy and fulfillment.
The narrative that we must always be striving for more wealth, status, or achievement is toxic and unsustainable. We need to redefine success in a way that takes into account personal happiness, mental health, and quality of life. Leisure activities, including gaming, are part of a balanced life and should be seen as a legitimate and valuable use of time.
Ultimately, the time you spend doing what you love — be it playing video games, making music, reading, or any other hobby — is an investment in your overall wellbeing. It’s a way to maintain your mental health, explore your creativity, and build a life that is rich in experiences and joy. So next time you sit down to play a game, remember that it’s not just a way to pass the time; it’s a way to enrich your life, learn, and grow into a happier, more balanced person.
