What PAC-MAN Can Teach Us About Recovery 🎮

It's been a WHILE since I've posted on this platform! So today, let's talk about PAC-MAN.

Go on, humor me... I promise there's a (very powerful) point to this!

🎮 What Makes PAC-MAN So Successful?  

It’s not the plot. (There isn’t one.) 

It’s not the characters or the fun multiplayer modes common in today’s games. (There are none.)  

So... what gives?  

PAC-MAN is addictive because it’s easy... at first.  

The first few levels are impossible to lose, and that’s exactly the point.  

✨ You start off winning, and it's empowering. 

✨ You build confidence and momentum. 

✨ By the time the game gets harder, you’re invested (and learning).  

Now imagine if PAC-MAN started with its hardest levels—no warm-up, no wins. You’d quit almost immediately, right?   

So why expect recovery to be any different?

😬 When people talk about going “all in” in recovery, it’s like starting PAC-MAN on the hardest level.  

Diving head-first into everything scary, uncomfortable, and overwhelming might sound brave, but for most people, it’s too much, too soon.  

❌ It's not empowering 

❌ You lose your confidence 

❌ You give up 

I'm not saying this is everyone's experience with "all in." But I've nevertheless seen it often enough to recognize a trend!  

So... what can we learn from PAC-MAN? 

🍀 Start Small  

Recovery is full of challenges, but you don’t have to tackle them all at once. 

👉 Can you take one step to get the ball rolling? 

👉 Could you face a semi-scary fear food before tackling a huge one? 

👉 Can you work with a coach to help you define your starting goals?   

🔥 Build Momentum  

Once you’ve had a few wins, let that sense of empowerment fuel your next moves! 

👉 Can you celebrate and consolidate those achievements? 

👉 Does this provide more clarity on what comes next? 

👉 Could you tap into your support system to help you keep going?   

🚀 Progress  

Now you’re ready to go all in—not just in recovery, but in life. 

👉 Are you reaping those benefits, and keen to reap more? 

👉 Are you confident and ready for change? 

👉 Do you have that action plan in mind?  

Recovery doesn’t have to start with overwhelm. It can start with confidence, momentum, and a plan that works for you.

If you’re unsure where to begin, know that I’m here to help you define those small steps, celebrate those (big and small) wins, and support your progress.   

Book onto your free consultation here to get the ball rolling and discover what your recovery journey can look like.