It's OK to step back from the drama, in real life and in entertainment

The main appeal of media is, usually, escapism. It gives you something to focus on besides the mundane of our day-to-day life.
However, there’s an increasing trend of video games offering a mundane release from our busy lives.
One of the mega games from 2020 was Nintendo’s “Animal Crossing,” where you’re transported to an island where you gather resources, build up a small city and go fishing.
The thing is, the goal of “Animal Crossing” is an actual experience for many people these days; you’re paying off a debt.
You’re gathering money, in this case bells, to pay off your trip to the island, your house, everything you build.
In recent weeks, I’ve moved into playing the mundane games, but “Animal Crossing” seemed stressful for exactly that reason. Also, I don’t have a Nintendo Switch to play it on.
Rather, I’ve been playing “Stardew Valley,” which is a similar concept except cheaper and I have the right device to play it on.
Instead of an island, in “Stardew Valley” you leave your regular office job for a mega-corporation to live on a farm you inherited from your grandfather.
The best part, you don’t start off in debt.
Maybe its an ideal world to start such a venture with money in your pocket, but we don’t go to video games for realism.
There are definitely ethical questions here, mostly around your potential love interests.
Is it good to fall in love with the man who just wants to get out of the small town and move to the big city? At least until he loves you, then he’s content living on the farm with you.
What about the woman who is “climbing trees” with one of the guys in town?
There’s also the attempt by mega-store JoJo Mart to take over the community center if just one more person gets a membership.
Or, you can not deal with any of the drama, focus on your farm and win first place in the fair.
What’s my point here? I guess it’s twofold.
One, sometimes you need a break and that’s OK. Whether it’s a walk around the block or a complete lifestyle change, it’s OK.
Two, you don’t have to involve yourself in drama. You can see it and walk away, or you could not go looking for it. Life is exhausting enough without involving yourself in the lives of other people.
Michael Shine is a contributing writer for the Daily American Republic.