Adults Need Games Too

I remember those days down to the smallest detail: a cup of cold coffee, a phone full of unread messages, and the feeling that life had pressed the “pause” button. First came the layoff. Then the divorce. The home that had once seemed like a fortress was divided between my ex-husband and me, and it felt as though my plans and confidence had been cut in half along with it. The days began to flow by in one grey ribbon: I did what I “had to do,” but I no longer felt what I “wanted to do.” A friend looked at me and said, “Come to a game. Just give it a try.”

Honestly, I went out of politeness. What could a board game possibly offer an adult when what is at stake is not “winning,” but yourself? At first, it seemed amusing: a game board, pieces, cards, tasks, and enthusiastic people sitting around the table. We laughed, moved our pieces, and discussed whatever came up. And then, suddenly, something clicked inside me. A situation in the game mirrored my real-life pattern so precisely that I could literally see where I was stuck, what I was avoiding, and why I kept choosing what felt “safe” instead of what felt “real.” For the first time in months, my problems did not weigh me down. Instead, they seemed to fall neatly into place. At the end, I left not with other people’s sympathy, but with a clear understanding of what I needed to do tomorrow, what I could do the following week, and what I simply needed to stop carrying on my shoulders.

It was not a “magical healing,” but rather an amazingly gentle transformation: from a woman who was hiding from life into a woman who was choosing herself again. I started taking care of myself, refreshed my wardrobe, returned to projects I had once dreamed about and, most importantly, rediscovered my enjoyment of life.

A few months later, during one of these games, I met the man who became the love of my life. It was as though life itself was reminding me that new doors open when you stop standing in front of the old ones.

What Are Transformational Games?

Transformational games are psychological and developmental practices presented in the form of a board game. A facilitator, or game master, helps participants explore a particular question or goal — relationships, finances, career, self-esteem, life direction — through scenarios, metaphors, and decisions made “here and now.”

There are games for personal growth, business development, financial literacy, brand promotion and public visibility, as well as games designed to help people discover inner resources and achieve greater balance.

Why does it work? Because serious questions can be explored in a safe and playful environment. A game naturally draws us in: we want to keep moving, experimenting, and seeing what happens next. The brain receives quick feedback — that same sense of engagement — and learning often comes more easily than it would during a lecture. There is also the influence of the group: we hear other people’s stories, recognize ourselves in them, receive support, and get honest feedback. The facilitator then helps turn insights from the game into practical steps in real life.

In recent years, transformational games have attracted noticeably growing interest across the Russian-speaking world — in Russia, Ukraine, and other countries of the former Soviet Union. It is easy to understand why. Times are changing, familiar foundations are becoming less stable, and people are looking for ways to quickly clarify the question, “Where do I go from here?” — without moralizing or heavy conversations.

Mini Guide: Which Game Should You Choose?

For adjusting your life and finding resources — Kamerton.
For exploring your purpose and finding inner answers — Leela, with reflection through the metaphor of a life journey.
For money and strategy — Life Capital, focused on financial thinking, decision-making, and planning.
For visibility and personal branding — Publicity Code.
For balance — Life as a House.
For reconnecting with yourself and restoring life energy — Living Human and other original games.

The good news is that our Russian-speaking community in Ottawa has already developed its own community of game facilitators and formats. There is an association, facilitators who lead different games, and regular evenings where you can come simply “to try it out,” meet people, and choose the guide who feels right for you.

Try it once, and you may understand why adults need games too. Sometimes a game helps us recover what we tend to lose in the adult world: lightness, courage, and clarity about where to go next.

And yes, if you are going through a difficult period, a game can offer gentle support, but when necessary, it is not a substitute for professional help.

Elena