I wasn’t a gamer as a kid. That might sound strange, especially now that gaming is such a huge part of my life, but it’s true. I didn’t grow up with a console under the TV or a PC in the corner of my bedroom. In fact, video games just weren’t on the radar in my house. Instead, my childhood was full of outdoor adventures, sports, and band practice. You can say it…Nerdy!
I spent hours chatting with my friends about all things girl talk—simply put, I didn’t have time for controllers or headsets.
When I did play games, it was usually at sleepovers. I remember hanging with friends at their houses and staying up way too late playing Super Mario Bros.—but it wasn’t anything more than a casual, fun experience. And if anything, I got discouraged because I was TERRIBLE! I never thought of myself as a gamer. I had a lot of other interests, and my family wasn’t really into gaming either; neither my parents nor my sister ever sat down for a session of Mario Kart or Zelda.
I never even considered what it meant to be a gamer. There were so many stereotypes floating around at the time, especially in the ‘90s and early 2000s. I definitely didn’t fit the mold of the “all-male, smelly, basement-dwelling, pizza-eating, cursing-at-the-screen” type of gamer that I’d heard about. Especially, considering that stereotype was always described along with no other interests…
(Also, as an adult I hate that I bought into that stereotype. So sorry, everyone!)
But then, I met John.
Meeting a Non-Gamer Gamer
When I met John, it was the first time I ever encountered a gamer who didn’t fit that “gross” stereotype. In fact, John was pretty chill—he wasn’t loud, he didn’t curse at the screen, and he didn’t spend all his time shouting at people online. If anything, I was probably the one who did the cursing! He’d play story-based, open-world games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher 3, and Red Dead Redemption 2 for gaming sessions that lasted hours, completely immersed in their expansive worlds. But still, I wasn’t sold on gaming.
I had zero interest in playing those games myself. I’d much rather go for a hike, play softball with friends, or read a book. Plus, we didn’t have a gaming setup in our house, so there was no real pressure. I was content watching John from the sidelines. That is, until I discovered Lego games. Yep, you read that right.
If you’ve never played a Lego video game, I highly recommend it. They’re quirky, fun, and totally accessible. I found that I could easily jump into games like Lego Harry Potter and Lego Star Wars with John, and we’d spend hours laughing and solving puzzles together. It was a way for me to be part of his world without diving into the deep, competitive gaming culture I had no interest in. We bonded over these gaming sessions, where the banter was high. I started to see the appeal.
But it wasn’t until much later—during a chaotic, life-changing time—that gaming would become something more meaningful in my life.
You had a baby during the pandemic?
The years flew by, and before I knew it, life had changed in unexpected ways. In the span of just four years, we bought a house, went through a global pandemic, and became parents to a wonderful, albeit sometimes precocious, kiddo. As you can imagine, it was a lot. I was dealing with anxiety, and navigating the challenge of new parenthood only made things harder.
For a while, I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. But as the world began to settle, and we found a new rhythm as parents, I realized that my anxiety had finally lessened. I wasn’t constantly stressed, but I still craved something to help me unwind and escape the pressures of everyday life. And then, just when I was starting to look for something new to dive into, something unexpected happened.
John asked for a Nintendo Switch.
Let me preface this by saying that for years, we had been asking for practical gifts for ourselves, so the request was shocking because he rarely asked for things just for himself. To our total surprise, his family jumped at the opportunity to spoil him with the perfect setup: the OLED model, Animal Crossing, Lego Star Wars, and a few other games.
The timing was perfect. One day, I found myself at home, browsing through videos on YouTube when I accidentally stumbled upon a vlog by Kennedy- @cozyk on Instagram- as she was decorating her hobby room. What stood out to me wasn’t just the room (though it was gorgeous), but the fact that Kennedy was a gamer without any of the stereotypes I had always associated with the gaming community. She dressed casually, had a cute aesthetic, and cultivated this cozy vibe that immediately resonated with me. Her style was something I already tried to create in my own home: clean, comfortable, and welcoming.
It showed me a possibility of gaming that I had never known or considered. It wasn’t just about “hardcore” gamers or violent, action-packed games. There was space for people like me—those who wanted to game casually, explore new worlds, and enjoy something fun and low-pressure. Let’s be real, the last thing I need as a teacher is a game that stresses me out! 😂
Finding My Place
John and I began playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons together, and it was the perfect introduction to a more relaxing gaming experience. We would spend hours creating our little island paradise. It was exactly what I needed in that moment of my life. Lego Star Wars followed, and soon, I found myself fully immersed in the world of gaming—something I never expected to happen in my 30s.
As I reflect on my journey from non-gamer to gamer, I realize that gaming wasn’t about a specific genre or style of play. It was about finding a space that brought me joy, helped me unwind, and allowed me to connect with my partner and even myself in new ways. It wasn’t a sudden transformation, but more of a gentle shift—a discovery that gaming, at its heart, is about having fun, sharing experiences, and finding your own little escape.
Now, my Switch and PC sit alongside the rest of our family’s hobbies in our own cozy hobby room. It’s not just about gaming; it’s about creating a space to relax, unwind, and enjoy the little things. Whether it’s building my community in Stardew Valley, solving puzzles in A Little to the Leftor simply enjoying the aesthetics of a beautifully designed virtual world, I’ve found my place.
And I think that’s what makes gaming so special—it’s for everyone. No matter when you start, no matter what games you like, there’s always room for you in this vast, colorful world.
Our Cozy Adventures 