How about a Vulpera hunter, an undead warrior, or maybe a warlock? If you are new to World of Warcraft, those are a few of the many race and class combinations you can try. I love how this game opens a door to a big, imaginative world when I need a break.
Sometimes the weather keeps me inside. Rain, cold, or snow can make outdoor time a challenge. On tough pain days, diamond art is not always possible either. When that happens, I make a cup of something warm, sit at my computer, and step into Azeroth. The game lets me explore new places, fight a few monsters, and even make friends across the globe. It is a gentle distraction that settles my mind.
World of Warcraft has two main factions, the Alliance and the Horde. I play Horde and always have. I tried a couple of Alliance characters in the past but it never felt right for me, so I came back home to Horde. In the story, the factions are often at odds, although there are times they work together. That push and pull gives the world a living feel.
Quests guide the adventure. You pick them up from different characters, follow the story, and earn rewards like coins, experience, and sometimes gear. Stronger gear matters, especially as you level up. If you are level 19 wearing level 5 gear, you will have a hard time winning fights against characters your own level. Part of the fun is slowly improving, bit by bit.
When I am stressed, playing helps me unwind. WoW is a subscription game, but you can try it free up to level 20, which is a great way to explore without pressure. My longtime favorite class is the hunter, though lately I have fallen for warlocks. The race is not a big factor for me, yet I have a soft spot for the Vulpera. They are small fox folk with big fluffy tails and a cheerful sway that reminds me of Vixen.
I first played in 2009 when my daughters introduced me to it while I was on bed rest with a knee injury. I could not do much else, so I tried it. Fifteen years later, I am still playing and still loving it. My husband plays too, so we often quest together in the evenings. We keep a pair of characters close in level so we can team up. On days when one of us needs solo time, we switch to other characters and wander on our own. It is a simple way to rest our minds from writing and website work.
If you are open to it, video games can be a pleasant way to relax and move your focus away from pain or stress. We also have a PlayStation 4 and used to play Call of Duty together when we were dating. Over time, we both realized that World of Warcraft is our favorite fit, and our computers could handle it. Games are not a cure for hard days, but they can offer comfort, distraction, and a bit of joy.
It also helps to know when to step away. If the rain stops and I am able, I close the game and go outside for fresh air. A short walk or a quiet drive can reset my mood. Exploring new spots, waving to neighbors, and getting a feel for a new community adds a different kind of brightness to the day.
If there is a waterfall nearby or a pretty overlook, we go see it. The contrast between indoor play and outdoor beauty keeps life balanced. I love both. Indoors, Azeroth gives me stories and color. Outdoors, the real world gives me light and space. Together, they help me recharge and keep moving forward with a little more ease.