I had a client the other day describe himself as a “Joe Schmoe” stuck at home with a mile long list of problems that the pandemic has dumped on him. 

Hit a little close to home? 

I get it. I’m a mom to a nine-year-old who has a school that just isn’t adjusting to distance learning (read: I have pretty much become his teacher.) I also run two successful businesses, am in the editing stages of a manuscript and do a fair amount of humanitarian work all while studying french, working out daily, not letting my house crumble or drown in laundry and dishes and (mostly) keeping my sanity. Not bad for a chick that was told by mental health professionals that I’d never have a functional or happy life, huh? 

Still stuck on that part about me keeping my sanity?

I’m going to share one of my secrets with you. 

You can describe yourself as my client did: a Joe (or Jane) Schmoe stuck at home, drowning in the effects of COVID, eating Hot Pockets and watching the news all day while wallowing in self pity. Or you can describe yourself as a hero braving the wilds of a post-apocalyptic landscape in order to acquire vital items, slay the bosses and rescue your prince(ss). 

Is this silly? Yes! But we all need a lot less serious right now. Plus, it works! 

1. Start framing the items on your to-do list as dungeons 

2. Think of the skills you learn as health or power ups 

3. Imagine that your children or coworkers are townspeople with their always cryptic instructions or requests (meet the old man at the waterfall!)  

4. Look at the the show you watch, book you read to your kids and feel good chemicals after the workout you slay as the treasures you accumulate along the way. 

Imagine how boring games would be if you just walked on it, threw the princess over your shoulder and that was it. No challenges. No puzzles. No enemies. Nobody would play it! Likewise, someone who never overcomes obstacles will never grow or learn and will never feel happy or fulfilled.