Gaming horrors aided me in confronting my genuine life anxieties
Once upon a time, a person, who was known for their routine-oriented nature, found themselves in an unexpected journey of personal growth. This transformation began with a simple encounter with a horror game demo, which initially seemed far removed from their comfort zone.
As a child, this individual was extremely fearful of even mild horror media. The thought of watching a scary movie or playing a horror game was enough to send shivers down their spine. However, everything changed when they stumbled upon the Xbox 360 demo of the horror shooter F.E.A.R.
The demo took place in a vertical slice of an early mission, featuring dark and shadowy industrial parks. The firefights were startling, but the ability to shoot back and trigger slo-mo allowed them to push through their initial fear. A shadow of a little girl slowly walking across their field of view caused their heart to race, but it was a thrill they couldn't ignore.
The author found the demos on the Xbox 360 invaluable for a kid with limited access to new games. The fear of the unknown had once kept them from trying new things, leading to isolation and a lack of social skills. But this game demonstrated to them that fear could be a safe place to practice going outside one's comfort zone.
After playing the demo, the author eventually rented and purchased the full game, and eased into more horror games and films to feel discomfort on their own terms. A fakeout of a rat scurrying across the path and the light flickering caused a sense of fear, but it was no longer debilitating.
The connection between playing horror games and facing fear of change can be understood through several psychological and emotional perspectives. Horror games provide a controlled environment where players can simulate and confront threatening scenarios, helping build resilience and coping skills.
Engaging with horror media allows players to experience and regulate emotions like fear and anxiety in a safe space. This can translate to real-life situations where individuals might feel more prepared to handle uncertainty or change by practicing emotional regulation through game experiences.
The interactive nature of horror games enhances the fear experience, making players feel more immersed and connected to the game environment. This immersion can increase emotional engagement and learning, potentially helping players develop skills to manage fear in real-life scenarios.
In summary, playing horror games can help individuals face fear of change by providing a controlled environment to simulate threats, regulate emotions, and develop coping strategies. The immersive nature of these games can also enhance emotional engagement and reflection, aiding in personal resilience.
This transformation was not just about overcoming fear of horror, but also about embracing change and stepping out of one's comfort zone. The author, who once avoided change and stuck to familiar routines due to fear, now found themselves ready to face new challenges head-on. And that's a fearless journey worth taking.
- The author's journey of personal growth extended beyond overcoming fear of horror games, leading them to explore health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health activities to further step out of their comfort zone.
- As a result of facing their fear of horror, the author discovered a newfound interest in cooking and lifestyle, experimenting with different recipes and lifestyle choices to enhance their overall wellbeing.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, the author started to explore various styles, experimenting with bold colors and unique patterns, embracing change and expressing their transformed self.
- The author's interest in fearless exploration soon expanded to food-and-drink, as they ventured into unfamiliar cuisines and discovered new flavors, further broadening their horizons and embodying their shifted perspective on change.
In addition, the author found themselves developing a keen interest in sports, enjoying the competition and physical challenges, which further enhanced their resilience and fearless mindset. These activities became an integral part of their new lifestyle, shaping their personality and giving them a renewed sense of self.
