Imagine if life had a visible XP bar—where every small action added points toward resilience and well-being. In gaming, side quests contribute to progress, even when they seem optional. In real life, activities like journaling, picking up a hobby, therapy, or even connecting with a friend can be those “side quests” that quietly move you forward.
Just like in video games, you don’t always have to focus on the “main quest”. While big goals and challenges can be enticing to focus on, small meaningful activities can also help you build towards those bigger goals. Viewing your mental health through the lens of gaming can shift your perspective, allowing you to appreciate the incremental progress you make each day.
Side Quests Aren’t Wasting Time—They’re Strategy
Some gamers hesitate to take side quests, thinking they distract from the main story. However, experienced players and “completionists” know that often these side tasks make the final boss fights easier. The same applies to mental health, investing in the “side quests” of your life, while they might seem like procrastination, are actually a well-tested strategy for building long-term resilience and emotional strength.
Research has shown time and time again that engaging in hobbies and fun, reduces stress and can even prevent burnout. Life is about balance, and it’s okay to get side-tracked. In Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work You Work Less, he explores how rest isn’t simply a break but a necessary part of work and often where we “become our most creative and resilient selves”.
Rest, fun, and distraction are not obstacles to progress; they’re often what fuel it
Leveling Up in Life Through Side Quests
Side quests in video games are optional to the larger story line and vary in terms of rewards that may grant experience, items, or a deeper understanding of the lore of the world. Just like in real life, there are many opportunities that are optional, you don’t have to do them to succeed, but some might be very rewarding and make longer-term goals a lot easier.
Consider different self-care activities as side quests:
- Journaling helps you explore your internal lore, offering insight into your emotions and thought patterns.
- Hobbies grant you new skills and abilities that contribute to self-growth.
- Quality time with friends strengthens your support system, giving you allies for life’s bigger challenges.
James Clear speaks to this idea in his famous book, Atomic Habits. He discusses the idea that small, consistent actions lead to significant change. In his words, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”
So, what’s your next mental health side quest?
Small Wins = XP for Mental Health
When you start thinking about mental health in terms of XP, endless creative side quests become available. Here are some ideas:
- Creative Side Quests:
- Writing, art, music—boosts self-expression and mindfulness. Invest in a creative hobby and spend time allowing yourself to freely create and explore. Self-expression is a powerful tool to improve your mental health.
- Art can be healing, and art therapy has been shown to, “increase serotonin levels, increase blood flow to the part of the brain associated with pleasure, and foster new ways of thinking and imagine a more hopeful future.”
- Social Side Quests:
- Strengthening friendships, joining a community—improves connection and support.
- Research has shown that “when you have a satisfying relationship with a romantic partner, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or others, you’re happier, have fewer health problems and live longer”. So consider spending time with friends good for your mental health.
- Skill-Based Side Quests:
- Learning a new skill (language, coding, cooking)—enhances confidence and neuroplasticity.
- Increased neuroplasticity gives us the opportunity to rewire our brains, allowing us to make new choices, change behavioral patterns, and heal.
- Physical Side Quests:
- Exercise, yoga, dance—improves mood and energy levels.
- It is no surprise that regular exercise is good for your physical health, but it has also been shown to improve mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Games and Mental Health: The Parallel Between Progress Bars and Growth
While real life doesn’t technically have you leveling up, life often will result in you “unlocking achievements” of personal development. Just like in RPGs, even small XP gains contribute to your growth, just like real-life habits.
The progress principle, as explored by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, suggests that small wins boost motivation, creating forward momentum and increasing success. They found that “Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work.” While their research focuses on workplace productivity, the same concept applies to mental health—small victories create momentum, reinforcing positive change.
4 Ideas to Add More Side Quests to Your Life
If you start gamifying your life, the possibilities for side quests are limitless. To help get you started here are four things to consider when discovering your next mental health side quest:
- Identify What Interests You – Think of hobbies or activities you’ve been curious about.
- Start Small – No need to go for a major quest; just five minutes a day can stack up!
- Track Your XP – Find a fun way to track your progress such as journaling or a chart you fill in on your fridge. This can help you stay motivated.
- Celebrate Small Wins – Every completed side quest is an achievement even if it feels small in comparison. So give yourself a little reward when you complete it.
Embrace the Side Quest Mentality
Life isn’t just about the big moments. Think of your journey like an open-world game—sometimes, you’ll focus on the main story, but other times, wandering and exploring might lead to unexpected and valuable rewards. Often, what seems like a detour can be exactly what prepares you for the bigger challenges ahead.
And if you would like support on your quests, we at Peacefulway are here to help. Reach out here, for a free 15-minute consultation, to see how we can support you on any main and side quests you choose to embark on.
And if you’re interested in learning more about the therapeutic potential of video games, check out this blog!
My goal is to provide a safe and welcoming place for you as you take steps to improve your life and find your own path towards fulfillment and satisfaction. Call or message today to schedule your free phone consultation or arrange your first appointment.