Adults need games too
 

By Y.Natchetoi

I remember those days down to the smallest detail: a cup of lukewarm coffee, a phone full of unread messages, and the feeling that life had hit “pause.” First came layoffs at work. Then a divorce. The home that once felt like a fortress was divided with my ex-husband—and it was as if my plans and confidence were cut in half along with it. The days turned into a grey ribbon: I did what I “had to,” but I no longer felt what I “wanted.” A friend looked at me and said, “Come to a game. Just try it.”

Honestly? I went out of politeness. A board game for adults, where the prize isn’t “winning” but you? It sounded amusing: a board, a token, cards, prompts, tasks, other people around the table. We laughed, moved our pieces, talked about what we’d drawn. And then—at one moment—something clicked. A situation in the game mirrored my real-life script so precisely that I literally saw it: where I get stuck, what I avoid, why I keep choosing “safe” instead of “real.” For the first time in months, my problems didn’t crush me—they… neatly lined up on shelves. I left not with “they felt sorry for me,” but with a clear understanding: what I needed to do tomorrow, what to do this week, and what I simply had to stop carrying.

It wasn’t a fireworks show of “magic healing,” but a surprisingly light transformation: from a woman who hides into a woman who chooses herself again. I started taking care of myself, обновила wardrobe, returned to projects I’d been dreaming of—and, most importantly, I got my taste for life back. And a few months later, at one of those games, I met someone who became the man I love. As if life reminded me: new doors open when you stop standing at the old ones.

What are transformational games?
These are psychological and personal-development practices in the format of a board game, where a facilitator (a game master) helps participants explore a request—relationships, finances, career, self-esteem, choosing a path—through scenarios, metaphors, and “here and now” decisions. There are games for personal growth, business development, financial literacy, brand visibility and public presence, as well as for finding resources and balance.

Why it works
Because serious questions are experienced in a safe, playful form. The game draws you in: you want to keep moving, trying, seeing what happens next. The brain gets quick feedback (that engagement effect), and learning happens more easily than in a lecture. Plus, the group: we hear other people’s stories, recognize ourselves, receive support and honest feedback. And the facilitator helps translate game insights into real-life steps.

Why it has become so popular
In recent years, interest in transformational games has surged across the Russian-speaking world—in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet countries. It makes sense: times are changing, familiar supports are wobbling, and people are looking for formats where they can quickly clarify “what’s next”—without moralizing and heavy conversations.

Mini-guide: which game to choose

• Money & strategy — LifeCapital: financial mindset, decisions, planning.

• Life setup & resources — Tuning Fork (Kamerton).

• Purpose & inner answers — Leela: deep reflection through the metaphor of a path.

• Visibility & personal brand — Publicity Code.

• Balance of life areas — Life as a House.

• Connection with yourself & life energy — Living Human (and other author-designed games).

Ottawa: where to try it
Good news: in our Russian-speaking community in Ottawa, a community of facilitators and formats has already taken shape—there’s an association, hosts of different games, and regular evenings where you can come “for a try,” meet people, and choose your guide.

Try it once—and you’ll understand why adults need games too. Sometimes it’s the game that gives back what we lose in the adult world: lightness, courage—and clarity about where to go next.
(And yes: if you’re going through a hard time, a game can be gentle support, but when needed it doesn’t replace professional help.)