A life lesson from Stardew Valley (of all places)

But first… 

So I was sick with the flu for almost 3 full weeks. Don’t worry I’m better now (just). 

I couldn’t work, exercise, think or even get off the couch. So what does one do when they are couch ridden with one brain cell? 

Play video games of course. 

So now I am addicted to Stardew Valley - a cosy farm life simulation game. 

In the game, you’ve inherited a farm and you grow crops, raise animals, expand your house, chop trees, attend local events like the Egg Festival or Town Fair. And you gain and spend money. 

Anyway… I never thought I would find meaning or a life lesson in a video game but here we are 😂 

So in the game there are 4 seasons like real life - Spring, Summer, Autumn(Fall) and Winter.

Just like in real life, the crops grow better in Spring, Summer and even Fall but not so much in the snowy months of Winter. (Well I assume that’s how it goes IRL, I’m no farmer). 

So you have to be thinking about Winter coming while you’re in the other seasons. 

How much money will you have to survive? 
Which crops will yield the most bang for buck? 
Do you need savings for a heater for your chickens? 

You need to be sensibly prepared with savings and a plan for the Winter during the other seasons.  

But you also need to be taking risks during this time to ensure you’re the most set up for success. 

Yes, risks…

So it’s my first time playing the game and; 

• I don't know which seeds to purchase that will produce the most valuable crops. 
• I don’t know if I’ll be able to buy that rare item from the Town Fair ever again. 
• And I don’t know if buying a mayonnaise machine will be a good investment. 

So yes… risks 😂

I’ve noticed that the more risky things you do in the game the better (usually). 

Like buying the rare equipment that you only see for a few minutes in the game. You have to take the chance while you have it.

It might not show up again for a very long time or ever. 

Or buying the most expensive seeds often gives a better return on investment.

Sometimes the expensive seeds don’t give you a worthwhile return, but then you know which to invest in for next season. 

So the failure is just as valuable a return on investment in knowledge, as it is in money.

Because how would you know if the expensive seeds are worth it or not if you never took the risk? 

  

Safe choices are seductive because nothing challenges you there.

Overtime in the game, your risks pay off. Your investments in the rare items become your lifeline (especially in Winter). 

Obviously to take risks in life.. Duh. 

Or at least have a balance of safe and risk taking behaviour. 

Be sensible but don’t be a chicken when it comes to taking risks. 

If Eden and I never took the risk to start Boring Studios 2 years ago, you wouldn’t be here reading this. 

But if we took the risk without having savings, who knows if it would have worked out. 

You can have a balance in this life but you’ll never make big changes without taking the risks. 

Scared? Start small because small risks build momentum. The more you take, the easier the next one becomes.

You’ll never know the 100% outcome of anything in this life but if you are always saying “No, I’m too scared” then nothing happens at all. 

Every “safe” choice has a hidden cost you only notice years later.

If there’s one life lesson you should take into 2026, it’s the fact that risks take you out of your comfort zone to a place where growth happens. 

And the biggest risk of all? Delay. 

So take the risks and buy the expensive seeds for once.

You might grow a golden pumpkin. 

xoxo
Penelope