During my academic leave of absence, communication felt like a prison. I found my solace in chopping down virtual trees.

Pokémon GO bridged the gap between virtual fantasy and physical reality. So long as I had my phone with me, I would always have the option of adventure.

Something I realized through playing Firewatch is that loneliness can’t really be solved by taking that fire lookout job, or for a more contemporary comparison, taking a forever trip to the woods or buying a van and living that #vanlife.

It’s not uncommon for teenagers to model their life after a piece of art, but 'Alan Wake' embedded itself into my psyche.

Which way was home? Which way led to safety? The trees didn’t care to answer. It felt like something else was there with me.

I don’t remember where I got the idea to deliver mail, but I can’t discount the possibility that it came from TikTok.