10/11/2023, A Long Awaited Return

Normally I start these blogs with, "Where I am," but today I should probably answer, "Where have I been?" I always promised myself I wouldn't let the blog go dark for months on end and yet here we are. Good news is I just got back from Big Bad Con and I have fun stuff to share! TWO THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR (SPECIFIC) 1. I am grateful for all of the professional gamers and mental health professionals who took time out of the convention to speak with me about my Mental Health Supplement, my current project. I got feedback, solicited advice, and a lot of encouragement to keep designing. 2. I am grateful for my Numenera Players! We (finally) got to start playing on Sunday and my favorite phrase from our Session Zero was, "Session 1: 'I search the bloody ball pit for severed children's limbs.' Are we sure this isn't a horror campaign???" They ain't seen nothing yet! ONE THING THAT WENT WELL DURING THE DAY My friend has been processing breaking up with her long-term partner. On a hunch, I introduced her to Donald Mass' writing tool "Third Level Emotions." Afterward, she said, "That was helpful. I had to find an empty bathroom to cry in, but it was a cathartic cry lol. Thanks, Rafiki" ONE ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL ACTION ITEM FOR THE DAY What I'd like to tackle is starting work on my Mental Health Supplement Version 2.0. That was the big project I was introducing to people at Big Bad Con, a system to facilitate roleplaying mental health conditions like anxiety and depression at the gaming table. My system relies heavily on the DSM-5, which, oh boy, I've learned has "quite the history" as one therapist at the con pointed out. I know I can't please everyone, or even allay all their concerns. Nor am I trying to replace the DSM with my 2-page roleplay supplement. My goal is to create the kind of system that I would find helpful at the table, something (reasonably) accurate, easy to remember, and flexible to accommodate a plethora of situations. I love the idea of TTRPG Therapy and using games to better understand yourself or others. All best, Shane Zellow (he/him)