If life feels like a video game lately, you might be stuck in a boss fight.
Not the tutorial. Not the side quest. Not the cozy town where you can chill and do alchemy for six hours.
No—you’re deep in it. Low on health. No save point in sight. And the boss? It’s brutal.
Maybe it’s Anxiety, dodging all over the screen, fast and relentless, whispering you’re not doing enough every five seconds.
Maybe it’s Depression, massive and slow-moving, but crushing, draining your energy bar just by showing up.
Or maybe it’s Grief, shapeshifting and unpredictable, slamming you with cutscenes you didn’t ask for.
Whatever boss you’re fighting right now, you’re not alone—and you can beat it.
But like any tough game, you need the right equipment.
The Loadout: What’s in Your Inventory?
1. Support Systems (Your Party Members)
Even solo players need a crew. Whether it’s friends, family, an affirming therapist, or your online guild, having people who believe in you and remind you of your worth is essential. They don’t have to be healers—just people who show up.
2. Coping Skills (Your Active Abilities)
These are the spells, attacks, and moves that get you through the tough moments:
• Deep breathing or grounding exercises when things start spinning
• Journaling to get those looping thoughts out of your head
• Taking a walk (IRL, not just in Stardew Valley) to reset your nervous system
3. Boundaries (Your Armor)
Good boundaries protect your mental and emotional health like solid armor. Saying “no” or “not right now” is how you avoid status effects like burnout and resentment. Think of it like equipping fire resistance before heading into the lava level.
4. Medication (Your Buff Potion)
For some people, medication is the boost that makes the fight manageable. It doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re smart enough to use all the tools at your disposal.
5. Mindfulness & Meditation (Your Map & Compass)
In the middle of a fight, it’s easy to lose track of where you are or why you’re even here. Mindfulness can help you reconnect to your inner guide and keep your eyes on the path. Even pausing for a few minutes can re-center your focus.
6. Therapy (Your Skill Tree)
Therapy is like leveling up your stats. You uncover hidden skills, build resilience, and figure out which quests are worth your energy. You also get to process past bosses you’ve already defeated but never fully recovered from.
Remember: Every Boss Has a Pattern
The more you observe and understand your mental health challenges, the better you can anticipate their moves.
Anxiety might show up before new social situations. Depression might hit hardest at night. Grief might ambush you on a random Tuesday.
Patterns don’t make the boss weaker—but they make you smarter.
You Don’t Have to Win Alone
You’re allowed to call in support. To rest. To hit pause.
You’re not broken because the fight is hard. The boss is just tough. But you’re tougher—and better equipped than you think.
If you’re looking for a co-op player on this journey, someone who understands the world you move through and the ways you find meaning in it—I’m here.
Let’s take down this boss together.
Amber Legault LMFT 