While millions of people around the globe are grappling with isolation and lockdown during this pandemic, the number of people playing Nintendo Animal Crossing: New Horizons is through the roof.
And for good reason. The life-simulation game is beginner-friendly and its limitless possibilities mean you can lose track of time very quickly. So while it’s not recommended you spend your entire day in pyjamas hanging out on a virtual island, there are 5 positive things playing Animal Crossing will teach you about your real life.
5 Life Lessons from playing Animal Crossing
1. Appreciate that today is a brand-new day
Animal Crossing: New Horizons runs in real-time. If it is 7 am on the third Tuesday in December for you, then it is the same inside your game. Your first log-in of the new day starts with the island’s cheerful hosts, Isabelle, announcing news on the community development, same as we check our phones for headlines or scroll our socials.
But maybe tomorrow, before you jump out of bed, or reach for your phone, spare just one moment to be grateful to start a new day. Remind yourself of something positive about yesterday and something you’re looking forward to now. It’s a small thing that can make a big difference.
2. Connect with your neighbours, and remember, token gifts build friendship
Like in real life, your Animal Crossing neighbours have a spectrum of personalities. To befriend them, you’ll need to stop for a catch-up. Chatting to your game’s residents will earn you friendship points, and giving them small gifts means you’ll receive furniture and clothing items in return.
‘Act interested and you become interesting yourself.’
If being locked down has taught us anything, it’s the value of a neighbourly chat once in a while, even if it’s just over the fence! So if you want to go beyond the ‘How’s the weather treating you?’ stage, maybe take it up a notch. Do you have a few extra cupcakes to give away? Or what about offering up a piece of furniture before you donate it to the charity shop? You never know what your neighbours might find useful. However small, it’s the thought that counts.
Feeling bonded to the community where you live will definitely improve your life.
3. A list ensures you reach your goals
Now and again, we can feel the pressure of too many options and a sense of our lives going adrift. Sometimes it’s the same old routine that has become a stale habit.
When playing Animal Crossing, you’re going to have to be organised. Tom Nook has a vision for this island – he wants the famous band KK Sliders to come and play. After that, you’ll want to achieve a 5-star island status.
To do that, you will need to complete a mammoth list of tiny tasks. You’ll learn recipes to craft items, you’ll plant flowers and harvest fruit trees. You’ll befriend a host of kooky island characters, you’ll summon your creativity. Most of all, you’ll need to invest time.
Your real-life self needs the same kind of attention! Imagine the life you could cultivate if you wrote down your goals and then gave yourself all the very tiny, sometimes minuscule steps to get there. Your wildest dreams can come true with the same magic formula. No Nook miles needed.
4. Look after the pennies, and the pennies will look after you
Just like in real life, currency is king. You’ll be spending in Bells and you’ll have to hustle to live the high life.
ACNH will test your decision-making skills. What will you prioritise your spending on? What’s most important for your island? Do you want to pay off your Nook loan first and expand your house and storage? Or will having the latest furniture from the Nook Shop make playing the game more fun for you?
Thinking about our budget in the real world is key to managing our money wisely. Being conscious about the things that are most important to us, saving for a rainy day, resourcing extra funds, and giving little treats to the ones we love – all of these in balance can lead to a harmonious life. (And don’t borrow money from shady types! We’re looking at you Mr Nook..)
5. Take your time to be mindful, when playing Animal Crossing and when not
Life doesn’t have winners or losers, everyone has their private struggle, and no one knows how long our journeys will last.
Likewise, you can’t really ‘win’ at Animal Crossing because it’s best enjoyed at a slow pace. Savour the details. Gaze at the moon. Buy the shoes or craft the golden watering can. Pause and be happy. That’s the best thing anyone can ever achieve in real life, or otherwise.
