Crossroads of Fantasy and Reality

From books, gaming, and hobbies, there are many ways to find fantasy in our lives

Dealing with Obstacles, General Ethan McIntyre Dealing with Obstacles, General Ethan McIntyre

Gundam Unicorn and the Power of Possibility

Lost in isolation and loneliness, I discovered the world of Gundam. From the model kits, video games, and anime, I found that the characters’ struggles often mirrored my own mental health problems. But Gundam inspired hope. In the words of Banagher and Gundam quotes, I found motivation. And in Gundam Unicorn Anime, I finally discovered the true power of possibility.

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General, Leveling Up Laurie Trueblood General, Leveling Up Laurie Trueblood

How Our RPG Characters Drive Our Personal Development

What is the connection between RPG characters and personal development? While we’re immersed in the game, our characters are impacting our own personalities in ways we may not be aware of. What are the different types of characters we play in D&D, and how do they drive our personal growth? What are the best RPG character creation tips to have fun and while driving our personal growth & understanding?

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Anger as an Area of Effect Spell

Anger begets anger. Our brains radiate their emotional condition outward, much like a wizard casting an area of effect spell in D&D. Looking at Dungeons and Dragons for clues on personal development, is our anger really like casting the Radiance of the Dawn? And are we damaging others when casting our personal anger spells or is it just an emotional radiance that causes no harm?

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How to Be a Time Wizard - Part Two - Can We Slow Down Time?

How is it that time seems to last forever when you’re a kid but races by as we get older? Controlling time is a common theme from sci-fi to fantasy. So many of us want to know how to slow down time. But while we can’t stop the clock, we can change our perception of time. Here are 7 science-backed tips on how to make time go slower and help you spend more time enjoying your life.

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How Video Games Teach Us About Happiness

There are many positive health effects of video games. Playing video games is fun and makes us feel happy. But it’s more than mashing buttons that bring us joy. What does science say about our gaming and happiness? And can we use these elements in other aspects of our lives to bring us greater happiness overall?

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How To Be A Hero

From superheroes to fantasy heroes, we are inspired to become something more. But how to be a hero in real life, and what makes someone a hero? The truth is that without gaining magical abilities or finding superpowers, the path to heroism may be easier than you think. We all have the ability to become our best selves and embrace our inner hero.

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General Ethan McIntyre General Ethan McIntyre

The Changing Role of Mental Health in Marvel’s Moon Knight

The portrayal of mental health in Marvel’s Moon Knight has been a messy one. From the early years when his personas were simple disguises, to his mental trauma as a result of supernatural phenomena, to the recent depiction of Moon Knight having DID. His journey reflects not only the changes in the character but society’s prejudices and its eventual understanding of those with mental illness.

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10 Rules of Life That I Learned from Gaming

There are many benefits to playing games. When we put down the controller or pack up our dice, the values we learned in playing games stay with us. From video games to tabletop roleplaying games, playing games teaches us about life. Here are the ten most important life lessons that I learned from gaming.

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Dealing with Obstacles, General Gorgan Ng Dealing with Obstacles, General Gorgan Ng

Help and Tips for Obsession, From My Experience with Collecting Pokemon Cards

From that first booster pack, I became a fan of Pokemon TCG. But with the release of new sets, I became Pokemon obsessed. I was afraid of missing out and my passion led to intrusive thoughts. My mind was always on ways to buy and collect Pokemon cards. But I needed to learn how to deal with obsessive thoughts. Here are practical tips on what I learned in my journey in how to overcome obsession.

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TTRPGs and Personal Development

Most tabletop role players would tell you of the camaraderie and self-confidence they gain through playing games like D&D.  But researchers have taken notice as well.  Beyond the entertainment value, TTRPGs are a healthy habit to form, granting many benefits for improved mental health and encouraging our personal development.

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X-Men and the Power of Being True to Yourself

Superheroes are, by their very nature, special. They exhibit incredible powers and hold themselves to incomparable moral standards. They exist to show us the best possible versions of ourselves. But the X-Men in particular serve to remind us that sometimes we all struggle with self-acceptance and feeling different. But that it is our own uniqueness that makes us special.

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Dealing with Obstacles Laurie Trueblood Dealing with Obstacles Laurie Trueblood

Can Gaming Help With Anxiety?

Gaming has been blamed for a variety of negative impacts with studies showing a correlation between gaming and mental health issues. But as a gamer myself dealing with anxiety and depression, I’ve always felt that gaming made me feel better, not worse. More recent studies have shown that while there may be a connection between gamers and higher levels of anxiety, it is not necessarily causation. And in fact, gaming has been shown to be beneficial and help symptoms of anxiety and depression in many people.

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I’d Rather Be Looting a Dungeon – Gamers and Holiday Anxiety

The holiday can be a wonderful time of the year. But this time of year can also be a great source of anxiety.

And as a gamer, I find that I would much prefer to spend those cozy winter days online in a dungeon than participating in the festive season. And I am far from alone in seeking this Scrooge-like escape. Here are some ways to use gaming and other tips to help with holiday anxiety.

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“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

– George Eliot