You can always move forward.
At the School for Poetic Computation, I took Narrative Constellations: Exploring Choice, Time, and Location-based Storytelling in the Spring 2023 with April Soetarman and Lee Beckwith.
It was an amazing online class that is “part creative writing, part interactive game design across multiple mediums”. I learned how to create Twine games, diagrams, and other enriching, mind-opening ways to share a story. Without a doubt, it showed me a treasure trove of creative possibilities that will only lead to further joy and literary adventure.
I created two rituals as my final projects. The first is Revive Your Joy Box where you create a kit that helps you move on after you process something awful.
The former was created from an assignment where time is essential to the narrative.
I wasn’t coping well and I wanted to use one of the many cigar boxes I’ve hoarded over the years. I decided on making my own Revive Your Joy Box which is a kit to counteract negative and disheartening news, anxieties, embarrassing flashbacks, doubts, worries, and detriment. Usually whenever I face something terrible or terrifying, I freeze up and don’t know what to do next besides overthink and stand there. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’d proceed to avoid it, bottle up, and explode later. I didn’t want to remain that way anymore and backslide or stuck in stasis and longed to do more with my life, relationships, and being. Packing my tiny beloved ongoing creative projects, delights, and things that were once dusty but always favored made me feel better, especially fitting them together like a jigsaw puzzle. And I’m sure you will too one you get started with your own RYJ treasure chest.
Play-testing it, I saw a marked difference from feeling anxious and at a loss to the aftermath of my actions where I became more resolute and optimistic of my future. I realized a lot while writing a letter I’ll never send, breathing deeply, allowing myself to sob, and folding origami with hidden messagges for strangers in the audience. How I’m strong, deserve the love of others, and I’m never as god awful as i feared. It is a wonderful way to take care of myself and my life and hopefully you’ll feel that way too.
It is my most sincere wish that you will find relief, peace, and hope as you make your own box and carry out your tasks. Perhaps create a box for a loved one who’s going through a rough time so they know they’re deeply held and cared for.
The second ritual is Divination Runs on Dunkin’. This came from another assignment where we had to create a location-based narrative that is delivered in two parts: a map/diagram and a set of instructions. I refuse to post my crappily doodled map of my Dunkin’ Donuts haha, but these photos of the different DD facets and napkin steps more than suffice. I decided to create this game because I wanted it to be playable around the world while being particular to a place. If you don’ have a DD, you can substitute it with another coffee shop or cafe, preferably a corporate franchise. A classmate called it corporate magic, and folks loved how subversive it is since you don’t pay at all.
I wanted something meaningful and would help me deal with relationships & interactions of all kinds. I tend to people-please and have bad anxiety to the point of self-sabotage, so I needed a healthier way to move forward and do right by me. I feel like I succeeded as my play-test built up my fortitude and confidence in my future where I’m relieved of my anxiety. I know this is the right direction and what’s needed and that’s more than enough.
I hope you enjoy this game and that it helps you too.
Feel to email me at wordsiheld at gmail dot com or message me at my Instagram @wordsiheld with photos of your box and tasks you’ve done to stay on the right path. And let me know how DROD goes too. I’d love to hear from you and witness your progress.
Remember you’re always worth fighting for, no matter how you feel right now. And sometimes the best way to overcome struggle is to love and forgive yourself. You deserve grace and a second chance.
We all do.
Keep your fire burning—we need your light and joy.