Mental health is something we all deal with in one way or another. Sometimes, it’s easy to ignore how we feel, but eventually, it catches up with us. For me, I was struggling with many things in my life. It felt like I was messing up everything I did, like nothing could go right. It was during this time that I found myself playing an online game, and surprisingly, it helped me in ways I didn’t expect.

In the game, I wasn’t just escaping my problems—I was also meeting new people. At first, they were just random players, but over time, some of them became good friends. It wasn’t like real life where I had to deal with all the stress and pressure. Instead, I could talk to these people freely, and it felt good to connect. We all played together, and I started to see that behind the screen, we were all human, going through our own things. I saw sadness, joy, frustration, and everything in between. It made me realize that no matter where we are, we all deal with stuff. In that way, the game wasn’t just a game—it was a place to connect with others.

It reminded me of movies that deeply explore human experiences, like Arrival (2016). In the movie, the main character, Louise, deals with complex emotions and tries to communicate with aliens. But what’s more important is her understanding of life and how fragile and uncertain it can be. Just like Louise, I was trying to make sense of my life, and in the game, with these new friends, I began to feel a bit more grounded.

The experience was also like watching a well-made Christopher Nolan movie. Nolan’s films, such as Inception or Interstellar, show how we sometimes lose ourselves in our own minds. In the game, I was lost in a different world, but it wasn’t so bad. It gave me space to breathe, to relax, and to feel something good amidst everything I was going through. It was like living inside one of his films, where reality and dreams blend together, and you’re not sure what’s real anymore—but you’re okay with it.

There was one specific time in the game that really stood out to me. It felt like a scene from a Martin Scorsese movie. Scorsese’s films often focus on characters trying to find their place in a rough world, like in Goodfellas or The Irishman. That’s how I felt in this game: I was just trying to figure things out, trying to survive in this digital world that mirrored my real life in some ways. The friendships I made were real, though, and they helped me get through some difficult times. The conversations we had during the game were deep and meaningful, even though we were just playing. It felt like something out of a movie—intense, but comforting.

I had many good times while playing that game. For a while, it felt like nothing was wrong. I forgot about the mess I felt my life had become, and I focused on the fun moments. The challenges we faced in the game were like the struggles in movies such as Rocky or Warrior (2011). In those films, the characters face hard battles, both physically and mentally, but they keep pushing forward. The same thing happened in the game—every tough challenge brought us closer together, and every win made me feel like I had accomplished something, even if it was just in a virtual world.

The game also reminded me of The Grey (2011), a movie about survival and fighting against the odds. In the movie, Liam Neeson’s character says, “Once more into the fray, into the last good fight I’ll ever know.” That line stuck with me, both in the game and in life. Every time I logged on to play, it felt like I was entering another battle—not just in the game, but with myself. I was trying to survive and keep going, even when things got tough. The game became a way to escape, but it also became a way to fight my own struggles.

However, it wasn’t just about escape or survival. There were real connections made in that game. Some of the people I met there turned into real friends, and we supported each other through tough times. It felt a bit like what I imagine happens in military or sports teams: you face challenges together, and those challenges create bonds. We celebrated wins, we dealt with losses, and we always came back to try again. Those moments were special because they reminded me that no matter how lost I felt, I wasn’t alone. I had people around me, even if they were just voices on the other end of a headset.

Stephen Connolly’s article on Medium talks about something similar. He writes about how adversity can bring out the best in people and how even in the darkest times, there’s something meaningful to be found. In his case, it was about finding purpose and connection, even when everything else seemed to be falling apart. In my case, it was about finding meaning in an unexpected place—an online game.

The game wasn’t just about winning or losing. It was about experiencing human emotions, making connections, and realizing that, even when life feels like a mess, there are still good moments to be found. Whether it’s through a game, a conversation, or a movie, these experiences remind us that we’re all human and that we can find hope, even in the darkest times.

Looking back, I realize that the game helped me in ways I didn’t expect. It gave me a break from the chaos in my life, but it also gave me a new perspective. The game felt like a well-made movie—one that’s filled with challenges, but also with moments of joy, friendship, and reflection. And like any good movie, it left me with something to think about. In the end, whether it’s a movie like Arrival, Rocky, Warrior, or The Grey, or an online game, these experiences remind us that we’re all just trying to make it through the fray, one day at a time.

So that’s it. Thank you for reading this article. What’s the name of the game? Nah, it’s just a silly random online game, not even gonna name it. As much as I enjoyed the game, as much as I hated it. Guess that’s how life is. Take care and may the force be with you. I’ll see you in the next one.