My first experiences with gaming were as a child. My father got us a Sony PlayStation, and we were hooked. We would play for hours as a family and on our own. It was something I enjoyed when I was younger. However, as I got older, I abandoned this pastime, feeling it was childish to dedicate so much time to it when I had responsibilities. There was no room for childish fun in adulthood; it was far more refined in my head than it was in reality. I struggled to find the balance between maturity and accepting that an outlet like gaming could be okay.

Meeting my wife opened many doors to my buried imagination. She reintroduced me to all the things from my younger years that I thought I had to leave behind. I got to play Xbox for the first time, revisit PlayStation, and learn about the Wii. But it all changed for me with the Nintendo Switch. Growing up, I always wanted a Sega Game Gear, and this was the closest thing I’d get to it in the modern day. Excited to say the least, I purchased my first system.

Buying this system was the window into the enjoyment of what used to be fun as a kid. The initial use allowed me to revisit all my old favorites. I loved Mario growing up, so it felt exciting to play it again as an adult. What I didn’t foresee was how seamlessly it would fit into my adult life. The item was available whenever I pleased, without disrupting my day’s work. I accepted my control over making choices that balanced work and leisure without guilt. Its handheld design invited me to slow down, to play comfortably on the couch or in bed, and to engage on my own terms. For the first time, gaming felt accessible rather than juvenile.

The shift deepened when I discovered the cozy game genre. My wife played Animal Crossing during her 2020 quarantine. I resisted her attempts to get me to indulge. She would sit next to me while she played the game to entice me. She watched YouTube videos to make her point, yet I resisted her persuasion. I settled into my familiar gameplay and spent my time that way. I didn’t think I liked the gameplay because it seemed slow and boring. My nostalgia prevented me from being open to new experiences. But that changed when Disney Dreamlight Valley released for the system. It was a game similar to Animal Crossing, but with Disney characters, which piqued my interest to try it out.

This game opened up the cozy gaming genre. Instead of fast-paced challenges or high-pressure goals, the game offered a sense of softness and familiarity. The world provided gentle, colorful landscapes guided by calming music and beloved characters. The tasks—farming, fishing, decorating, and helping villagers—were simple and forgiving. There was no rush, no punishment for mistakes, and no expectation to perform well. The game allowed me to exist inside it rather than conquer it.

As someone who experiences anxiety, this style of play became more than entertainment. Disney Dreamlight Valley turned into a coping tool. After stressful days, I used the Switch to cope with my emotions. The repetitive, low-stakes activities helped quiet my racing thoughts. Completing small, low-stakes tasks gave me a sense of control when I felt overwhelmed.

It surprised me how healing playing games felt. Once I dropped the internalized ideas about adulthood and play, I regained a freedom I didn’t know I’d missed. I had equated aging with letting go of softness and joy. Cozy gaming showed me that comfort and coping can come from unexpected places.

I don’t look like your typical gamer, and that’s fine by me. By having an open mind and playing my Switch, I learned that gaming doesn’t have an age limit. Cozy gaming became a bridge between childhood nostalgia and adult self-care. It was a gentle reminder that calm, healing, and play can coexist.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero