It’s Mario Time! My Life as a Secret Gamer

It’d been another tough day at school. But now it was time to leave that all behind. 

My friends and I strode excitedly towards the entrance, laughing and planning where we’d head first. 

Pulling open the door, we were instantly hit with a barrage of familiar sensations. The loud, musical sounds coming from all around. The flashing lights. The smell of coins and candy floating on the cool air. The slightly sticky floor…!

This was our safe space. 

The local arcade was a haven, away from school bullies and family worries. It was a place where we could be silly, be nerdy – be ourselves.   

 Welcome back to the Monthly Hustle. Over the last few months, I’ve really taken you on a personal journey. And I’ve talked about some hard topics! From struggling with failure to tackling the challenges of becoming a step-parent, it’s been important for me to share the experiences that have shaped me, and to create opportunities for conversations that can really help us all to learn and grow. 

But look – it’s not all doom and gloom! 

Of course there have been lots of fun, joyous moments that have played just as an important part in the woman I’ve become. 

And since today is National Video Game Day, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reveal a hidden truth… 

I’m a gamer!

I know, it’s unexpected. I can feel your shock coming through the screen, as you try to figure out how this woman, who spends her days talking about supply chain, could be the same woman that goes home and helps a tiny mustachioed plumber to save a princess.  

But, believe it or not, it’s true. 

My love of gaming started way back in high school, when my friends and I would hang out at the arcade after school and on weekends. We’d play Tekken (am I aging myself here?!) and face off with each other over pinball. 

Growing up, I faced a lot of challenges. But I could lose myself in the sights and sounds of the arcade; I could be a warrior or a superhero, a turtle or a space alien. And I could bond with my friends, away from often-hostile school halls. 

And, of course, the 90’s (when I was growing up) was when video games really took off. Nintendo revolutionized gaming with the launch of the Game Boy, SNES, and then – the real gamechanger! – the N64. 

I know every single one of you that’s around my age is now thinking about either ‘Super Mario’ or ‘Goldeneye.’ Man, did I love Goldeneye! Kids these days will never appreciate the experience of only being able to slap bad guys with your digital bare hand, until you unlock Bond’s famous gun.

But eventually, as we all do, I grew up, and gaming fell by the wayside. 

Until I, somewhat unexpectedly, found myself in the role of step-parent. I talked about that experience in the May issue, and about the importance of making the effort to find common ground, to find opportunities to bond and experiences to share. 

And that’s exactly when gaming came back into play. My step-daughter and I would spend hours playing Super Mario together, whooping and punching our fists in the air every time we beat Bowser’s Castle. When times were tough, we always had this little shared adventure to come back to. 

Those experiences with my step-daughter reignited my old sense of geeky fun, and reminded me why adults shouldn’t always be so serious. Playing isn’t just for kids!

I took my love of video games – and the Lego collection! – and spent hours with my nephews, too: building, destroying, and strategically figuring out how to get to the next level, whether it was Harry Potter or Indiana Jones. 

These were some of my best times with family. 

These days, I’m so busy with Let’s Talk Supply Chain, Blended, The Secret Society of Supply Chain and sometimes back-to-back events, that I don’t have much time to relax and game. 

But I do sometimes take my Nintendo Switch with me when I travel and, honestly, I’d recommend it! It stops you from constantly checking emails when you should be giving yourself a bit of headspace. It’s the perfect distraction if you have a fear of flying, or pre-conference anxiety like me! It aids relaxation and can boost your mood and imagination, both important tools for hard-working supply chainers. 

And ultimately it reminds me to pay attention to my inner child. The girl who doesn’t know anything about stress, bills, kids, or trucks! The girl who just wants to have fun.   

Are you a gamer? Or do you have another secret hobby you’ve kept to yourself?! I’d love to hear about it, and what part it’s played in your life over the years. 

Sarah