/games/ - Video Games

I’ve come to believe that getting too emotionally invested in a video game can actually be risky. The more seriously you treat it, the more room there is for anger, frustration, and stress to creep in, especially when things do not go your way. What starts as entertainment can quietly turn into something that feels like an obligation or a test you are constantly failing. Playing casually, on the other hand, strips away most of that negativity. You still get the fun, the immersion, and the enjoyment, but without tying your mood or mental state to outcomes you cannot fully control. When the goal is simply to relax or have a good time, losses sting less, mistakes feel lighter, and the experience stays healthy instead of becoming emotionally draining.

This is why I now think it is better to avoid ranked modes or using video games as a way to prove skill for the sake of self worth. I used to play League of Legends extremely seriously, and at the time I genuinely believed that my rank said something meaningful about me as a person. The higher my rank climbed, the more validated I felt, and the lower it dropped, the worse I felt about myself. That mindset turned the game into a measuring stick for my value, rather than something I played because I enjoyed it. Looking back, it is clear how unhealthy that was, because no number on a ladder should have the power to define confidence or self respect. Keeping games casual helps maintain a clear boundary between who you are and how you perform in a virtual space, and that separation makes the experience far more positive and sustainable.