Benefits of Game-ifying and Compartmentalization

Again, the following content was written by a human therapist, not generated by AI. It is probably safe to assume at this point that we might be surprising ourselves with how many challenges we keep facing as we move through and deal with all the compounding crises of the world, both on the micro and macro level.

Every day seems to feel like the vortex is swallowing us whole, and there’s no time to think or feel, only numb and distract.

Maybe I am speaking from a place of privilege if my first recommendation is simply to try slowing everything down, but by that I just mean your breath, your thoughts, your words, your impulses to act. Our minds are being hijacked every second by media, technology, fear, and a culture of instant gratification, and again, one simple way to fight back and regain a sense of control is first by slowing down and acknowledging the pervasive habit of excessive screen time and dopamine activation. Just acknowledge it, no judgment. Notice every single time you reach for a distraction and ask yourself what feeling(s) you are trying to avoid. Try slowing your breath down.

I know the answer for a lot of us is that we are trying to avoid launching an avalanche of feelings of past regrets or painful emotions, and naturally this is where my plug for therapy comes in. We are here for that. Therapy is a safe container to let it all out and allow for the possibility of healing and growth. Yes, even during these wild times.

However you choose to begin your healing process (whether by attending therapy or reducing distractions on your own), once you’re aware of your patterns enough, and you’re in a clear enough headspace to look around and see your physical space without being bogged down by the weight of guilt or shame, opportunities will present themselves for you to feel good about taking care of what is in your control (i.e. house chores, to-do lists, self-care, etc). It is becoming critically important that we unplug from our screens and plug back in to our minds, bodies, and relationships with those around us. For those of us who struggle with executive functioning, this is where game-ifying and compartmentalization come into play, pun intended.

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But first, story time: back in 2015, I was working in retail. I started picking up a night shift or two a week to unload truck deliveries and then spend the next day shift stocking the shelves. I remember the first time we had a pile of boxes stacked to the ceiling, and I will never forget how my poor attitude at the time collided with my coworker’s attitude of “let’s make a game out of it.”

“Let’s make a game out of it” has since become my mantra for getting anything boring done, from dishes to laundry to bills to errands to you name it. I break it up into piles, smaller tasks, achievable goals. Rewards of course, are part of the equation, as is having something enjoyable or educational to accompany the task, like a having a movie, playlist, show, documentary, audiobook or podcast going as you work.

At this point I have convinced myself that the reward for my game-ified tasks is simply in the completion of the task itself and no longer having it on my mind. But sometimes the reward is a sweet treat :)

Now, regarding compartmentalization: yes, it is useful to stay informed, and it is helpful to periodically unplug and take care of something tangible nearby. It is also helpful to have containers and compartments for damn near everything (literally and metaphorically), especially an hour a week with a skilled and trusted therapist who can help you process all this gestures vaguely at everything and remind you how and why life is worth living, even in the face of societal or global collapse.

Like Tetris, life never stops dropping tasks and challenges for us to figure out and put in their neat little place, and sometimes we need whatever extra tools, help, or human connection we can get to get ourselves up and running again.

Hope this ramble was helpful. As a reminder, I offer free 15-minute consults for anyone interested in starting therapy. Or particularly art therapy.

Book recommendations:

Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke, MD.