Coping Strategies with Game Hobbies

 “It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness, and a mood of helplessness prevail.”

— Lech Walesa

I am resisting retreating from the world for a while, as I occasionally have when everything seems overwhelming; my usual euphemism for doing so is going to the “Hermitage on the Edge of Oblivion.” Much as I’d like to temporarily remove myself from social media and the madness of the world at large, I cannot. In the absence of actual day-to-day friends I see in person, online interaction remains my primary engagement with other relatively friendly humans (such as it is). So while maintaining awareness of the horrors unfolding in the news, I take the time to indulge in “self care” activities to maintain my ability to function daily and prevent my further descent into madness. Most of these relate to my activities in the adventure gaming hobby and peripheral interests. In outlining them here, I hope readers might find helpful strategies; if not an exact match, then some inspiration for similar pursuits offering temporary respite and renewal before braving the monstrous indifference and active misery our current reality forces upon us.

Games: Obviously I have long used my immersion in the adventure gaming hobby as a respite from real-world stresses. I have a host of games recently acquired but as-yet untouched waiting for me to find time to dive into them, even if it’s just reading the rules and looking over components in the absence of willing players. Games provide a focus, whether reading or playing, much like books can remove us from our current mindset and offer some brief escape. Thankfully I have a rich library of games old and new to offer some small degree of respite.

Online Window Shopping: I maintain several wishlists at online retailers, notably Noble Knight Games and Bookshop.org. Occasionally I web surf those sites, review my lists, and search for items to add that might, someday, divert my attention momentarily. Sometimes I delete items I feel no longer interest me...a strange sort of online downsizing in this artificial season of tidying and culling our physical spaces. I consider what I might get should I feel confident enough to place an order. While I have a nice credit with Noble Knight Games, I hesitate ordering anything so close on the heels of a fairly generous and satisfying yuletide gift-giving season. Still, the possibility of ordering something helps divert me simply with the thought of anticipating the arrival of more diversions.

Great Bridge terrain board in early
stages of construction.

Organizing Wargaming Space: I’m not a huge fan of the new year’s trend of tidying and organizing after the yuletide orgy of gift-giving. But my basement wargaming space is long overdue for some work sorting the various toys I have and the piles of crafting material just waiting for that perfect project. This surplus served me well late last year in preparing a Battle of Great Bridge terrain diorama; however, my craft materials sprawl over several shelves, bins, boxes, and a work table. My finished figures and terrain occupy shelves with very little organizational rationale. So I’m slowly organizing and consolidating my materials. My main goal? Clear half of my 4x8-foot wargaming table for actual games, as opposed to storage of in-process projects and crafting space (in lieu of already cluttered crafting tables). It’s comforting for me to take stock of my numerous wargaming toys...and consider the vast possibilities for games that can offer further comfort in a play activity.

Painting Miniatures: Related to all that remains my commitment to retreat to my wargaming space for a little time each night to work on various projects. Painting my vast horde of unpainted miniatures stands primary among these goals. I also have a few terrain projects in mind, mostly painting but also assembly. Completing even a few minis, or even several for a particular game scenario, offers a good sense of accomplishment. These feed into my urge to organize my wargaming materials as noted above.

Music: I’ve learned to find calm and satisfaction in my classical music and film soundtracks. One of my game-adjacent activities, music serves as a background to gaming, minis work, and writing. It often provides inspiration and motivation; I’ve learned I’m more focused, creative, and calm when I have music in the background. Whatever my mood, whatever emotions I’m trying to manage, I can find some piece to help me through it all. In the past week I’ve relied on Strauss waltzes and von Suppe pieces reminiscent of the program of the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s concert, an event we enjoy on PBS every New Year’s Day to lift our spirits and bolster a sense of joy we rarely feel at that time of year.

Reading: I’m a voracious reader and often wish I could spend more time doing that. I’ve previously noted my fiction habits and guilty pleasures, but non-fiction history remains my primary reading. Even my World War II reading — filled with Nazis and atrocities and people taking extraordinary and courageous risks — serves as a break from the seemingly relentless and inhuman oppression the current regime unleashes on the American people. The yuletide holidays brought a nice pile of possibilities (summarized in my year-end post) and I have a sizable “to read” pile near my bed.

The core cast of Foyle’s War.

Shows: I don’t watch a lot of television, or media, or online videos, streaming series, or whatever we’re calling it at this ever-changing stage of the 21st century’s execrable Internet Age. When I want an escape I usually look to PBS...and then mostly British murder mysteries: Poirot and Miss Marple, Miss Fisher (British-adjacent), Vienna Blood (a new one for me), Brokenwood Mysteries, the high-body-count Midsomer Murders, and my old standby with World War II themes, Foyle’s War. I don’t turn to them as often as other diversions, but they provide a great deal of immersion and satisfaction when I just don’t have the energy for anything else.

Social Media (in moderation): I find both despair and joy in my carefully curated social media platforms. The former comes from <waves hand> all this, but the joy comes from folks I follow sharing their positive achievements, views of their everyday lives, and yes, photos of cats (and dogs) doing their thing. And wisdom...thoughts that make me sit back, reflect on them, and realize how they might enrich my own outlook. Such as this small, hopeful gem from Kate Sheehan-Finn which quite nicely sums up the balance we try to maintain in times like ours:

“Don’t #doomscroll. Fill your timeline with beautiful moments.

“This is not ignoring the harsh stuff or unbearable news, and big things beyond your control.

“It’s a balancing act. There is beauty and goodness. Lean into what makes you smile.”

Alas, when I pry myself from my diversions I inevitably must face reality, though with a slightly refreshed spirit (what little remains). We must still acknowledge the horrors, still pay attention to the news, and because of that we need to consciously take time to focus on things that bring us joy, or at least distract us. Those of us who care, who hold compassion in our hearts, who recognize institutional and government propaganda when we see it, and, especially those of us brave enough to stand against oppression and injustice, all need to take time for self care. It is easy not to care, to ignore everything but our own small perspective and our immediate sphere of reality, and let history take its course as the strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must. In good times and bad, our hobbies and interests sustain us. I hope amid all this turmoil you take time to revel in what joy you make in your lives.

“Human beings must involve themselves in the anguish of other human beings. This, I submit to you, is not a political thesis at all. It is simply an expression of what I would hope might be ultimately a simple humanity for humanity’s sake.”

— Rod Serling