u/WellItsLou

Hey everyone,

I wanted to write something a bit personal. I’m not posting this to complain, seek pity, or make anyone feel bad for me. I think I just need to put these thoughts somewhere, because keeping everything inside has been difficult lately.

I struggle with OCD, anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, and a lot of rumination. Gaming has always been one of the most important things in my life. It has been there since I was a kid, and in many ways, it has always felt like my safe place.

But lately, modern gaming has become really overwhelming for me.

I own a PC, a Steam Deck, and I bought a Switch 2 a few months ago. The Switch 2 is basically still new, and I barely use it. I know that might sound ridiculous from the outside, especially because these are expensive devices and I know I’m lucky to have them. But every time I think about using them, my brain turns it into pressure.

I start feeling like I “should” be using the more powerful or expensive hardware. I feel guilty for not using it. Then I start overthinking accounts, digital libraries, updates, saves, online systems, achievements, inventories, setups, and whether I’m using the “right” device or making the “right” choice.

Instead of just playing, it becomes stressful.

The Chromatic feels different to me. It feels simple, focused, physical, and comforting. It doesn’t feel like a whole ecosystem I have to manage. I can just pick it up and play. There’s something about its simplicity and limited scope that makes gaming feel calmer again.

I’ve been thinking that maybe retro gaming could take a bigger place in my life, at least for now. Not because I hate modern gaming, and not because I want to reject everything else, but because retro gaming feels more manageable for my mind. It feels less noisy, less overwhelming, and more connected to why I loved games in the first place.

I’m also really looking forward to the M64. The idea of having a simple retro living room setup sounds really comforting to me, so I’m going to save up for it little by little.

Right now I have to be careful with my spending, so I’ll see when things are a bit better. I also have a hard time letting go of my devices, even the ones I don’t use much, because in the past I had to sell or lose a lot of things that I still regret.

Sometimes life doesn’t really leave you a choice, and I think that made me more attached to the things I still have.

So for now, I’m trying not to make any big decisions out of guilt or anxiety. I just want to enjoy my Chromatic, save slowly, and maybe one day have a simple retro living room setup too.

I also deal with social anxiety and isolation. Sometimes I don’t reply to messages, even from people I care about, because anxiety makes it hard. Then I feel guilty, and that guilt makes me isolate myself even more.

So I guess I’m wondering: does anyone else here deal with OCD, anxiety, depression, rumination, or similar things, and find that retro gaming or the Chromatic helps make gaming feel peaceful again?

I’m trying to let myself enjoy the Chromatic without feeling guilty for not using my other devices. Maybe simple gaming is just what I need.

Thanks for reading. I just needed to get this out somewhere.

Take care of yourselves, everyone. I hope you’re all finding small things that bring you some peace too. <3