The Productivity of Play: Why Cozy Gaming Isn't Wasted Time

As someone who's been called a "certified hobby girl" across social media, I've tried countless activities in search of better mental health. Yet among all the journaling, crafting, and meditation practices I've explored, one hobby stands out for its unique ability to transport me to a gentler world: cozy gaming.

Gaming was one of my favorite activities as a young girl, always curled up with my blue Game Boy Advance way past my bedtime. As I got older, I fell into the trap of seeing gaming as 'unproductive' – something to feel guilty about when I should be focused on work instead. But during a particularly intense burnout period, I found myself drawn back to gaming as an escape. What started as "just a break" revealed itself as something much more powerful. I noticed my anxiety levels dropping after playing. My sleep improved. I actually had more creative energy for work. Games like Ooblets (with those adorable little creatures and dance battles that make me smile every time) and Wylde Flowers (which has the most inclusive characters I've ever seen in a farming sim) weren't just ways to spend time – they had become an essential part of my daily mental health practice, bringing back that pure joy I felt as a kid while making me more present and effective in everything else I do.

This revelation felt especially important to share because I was constantly seeing wellness content online pushing two-hour morning routines or expensive supplements that promised to make you feel better. I was frustrated with how prescriptive and inaccessible "wellness" had become. Here I was, actually feeling better by playing games - something many people already owned or could easily access. I wanted to share that there was a simpler way to feel better, one that didn't require massive lifestyle changes or buying into the latest wellness trend. So I started incorporating my cozy gaming experiences into my content alongside my other hobby recommendations. What happened next confirmed exactly what I suspected – my inbox filled with messages from women who resonated deeply with my experience: "I feel so guilty making time for games when I have a million other things to do." These messages showed me I wasn't alone in feeling that pressure to be productive every moment of the day. So many women were denying themselves permission to just play.

Despite gaming being a massive industry, there's still this persistent belief that gaming is either a waste of time or not meant for certain people – especially women. My followers would tell me how seeing another woman openly enjoying games gave them permission to try it themselves.

For women especially, who are socialized to view self-care as productive or appearance-focused, gaming offers something revolutionary: pleasure without purpose. There's profound value in activities that exist solely for enjoyment—something our productivity-obsessed culture rarely acknowledges.

Now when followers message me about feeling guilty for "just playing games," I remind them that rest isn't earned – it's essential. That our brains need play. That the most productive thing you can do sometimes is something completely unproductive.

So the next time someone questions why you're spending an evening fishing in a virtual pond or decorating your digital cottage, remember: you're not just playing a game—you're practicing an ancient human need for play, creativity, and rest in a modern, accessible form.

And in a world that constantly demands our productivity, that might be the most radical act of self-care there is.

Written by Jacey Adler

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