The Power of Purposeless Play

When I was younger, there was one thing that was my primary refuge from real life: playing video games. I’d come home from school, rush through my homework, turn on my computer and immerse myself in digital worlds for hours on end. I had few friends to hang out with, so I hung out with virtual characters. We had no internet at home until my late teens, so multiplayer gaming wasn’t an option. I journeyed solo through vividly crafted landscapes in first-person shooters and sprawling RPGs. In those moments, my only concern was completing quests, gaining experience and defeating the next boss. Each virtual victory was a small triumph.

As I matured, gaming became less of a priority. My attention shifted toward my responsibilities. I became obsessed with productivity, with completing real-life quests and gaining real-life experience. Eventually, I convinced myself that gaming was frivolous, a luxury that wasted precious hours I could be investing in tangible achievements. Driven by this mindset, I pushed gaming aside and focused solely on being productive, until play in almost all forms became alien to me.

After years of relentless hustle, I found myself feeling drained, like a pressure cooker about to burst. I was running on empty, neglecting to refill myself with joy. In maximising my waking hours, I lost touch with activities that had the sole purpose of having fun. Anything I did had to have some outcome I could point to, some milestone to be reached. With an endless cycle of work and chores, and little space for joy or relaxation, I was pushing my body and mind to their limits.

A few weekends ago, my brother suggested that I connect virtually to his PC and stream the recent Doom games. Initially, I hesitated, caught in a now-familiar internal struggle. Shouldn’t I be working on my blog, writing my book, or checking off items on my infinite to-do list instead? Feeling like my head was caught in a self-created productivity vice, I reluctantly gave in.

For two uninterrupted hours, I delved into Doom’s vibrant chaos, navigating richly detailed worlds and blasting away at demonic hordes with exhilarating abandon. My responsibilities faded away, replaced by a simple, profound sense of joy. When I finally put down the controller, I felt noticeably lighter. The tension that had knotted my shoulders for weeks had vanished, and my mental fatigue was replaced by clarity and energy. The emotional contrast between my earlier stress and newfound ease was profound. Surprisingly, the following week proved to be one of my most productive in months.

This experience taught me a crucial lesson: sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is to allow ourselves to have fun. Constant productivity isn’t just unsustainable, it’s counterproductive. We aren’t machines built to endlessly churn through tasks; we need moments of joy, play, and genuine relaxation to recharge our creativity and focus.

Gaming, for me, has become more than a nostalgic pastime. It’s converted from a frivolous waste of time to a space that I deliberately carve out of my days to refresh and recharge. Whether it’s gaming, painting, gardening, or simply taking a leisurely walk in nature, engaging in activities purely for the pleasure they bring us isn’t merely indulgent; it’s vital for sustained productivity and well-being.

So, dear reader, what activity brings you joy and recharges your mind and body? In a world obsessed with productivity, we need to remember that true balance comes not from relentless work, but from also incorporating moments of deliberate, joyful rest. Take some time this week to engage in something just for the fun of it, without guilt or reservation. You may just find that you feel lighter - and more productive - afterwards.

Until next week,

Ric.