Why Adulting Feels Like Playing Tetris (And How to Win)

Because sometimes life gives you a straight block when you need that T-piece.

Imagine for a moment that you’re curled up in your favorite blanket, clutching a console with sweaty palms, eyes glued to Tetris blocks cascading from the heavens. That was childhood. Now, replace that console with a tax return form, the Tetris blocks with bills, job applications, and self-doubt, and welcome to the grand game of adulting.

Many of us have played Tetris, the puzzle game where you fit falling blocks together desperately to prevent the screen from filling up and growing up. It feels eerily similar. Blocks of responsibility drop alarmingly, each demanding to fit into our lives just right.

Level 1: Those Early Stages

We begin our Tetris-adulting analogy in the breezy early levels, often known as the late teens and early twenties. Blocks (read: responsibilities) drop slowly, giving you ample time to swivel them around.

“Oooh! A university degree! Let’s fit that right here. And next to it? A first job at the local coffee shop? Perfect fit!”

But now and then, an unexpected L-block (like your first heartbreak or failing a vital class) throws off your groove. You scramble, you panic, but eventually, you find its place.

Level 5: Picking Up Speed

Things accelerate as you graduate (pun intended) to higher levels in Tetris and life. Bills, relationships, career moves — all descend with a swiftness that can leave you gasping.

Have you ever tried juggling a job interview while your car’s in the shop and your best friend’s in a crisis? That’s three Z-blocks in a row, my friend.

Level 10: The Real Challenges Start

Remember those carefree levels? They’re behind you now. Deadlines loom. Kids may enter the picture, each with their little T-blocks and L-blocks, demanding space and attention.

You realize some hard truths: Not every block will fit neatly. Sometimes, you’ll have gaps in your formation. That 5-year plan? It now looks like Swiss cheese.

Common Tetris-Adulting Mistakes (That We All Make)

1. Overthinking The Blocks: You can only sometimes predict the next piece, just as you can’t foresee every curveball life throws. Don’t freeze. Make a move.
2. Holding Out For The Perfect Block: Waiting for that straight line in Tetris? It’s like waiting for the ‘right time’ to do something in adulthood. Spoiler: The perfect time rarely comes. Work with what you have.
3. Ignoring The Gaps: We’ve all done it. I missed that piling laundry or those unanswered emails. But left unchecked, these gaps grow and can topple our game.

So, How Do We Win at Tetris and Adulting?

1. Embrace Flexibility: In Tetris, as in life, adaptability is critical. Need to place a block correctly? Pivot your strategy. Embrace change and roll with the punches.
2. Celebrate Small Victories: Every line cleared in Tetris deserves a mini-celebration. Got through a tough day? Celebrate that resilience. Bought a plant and didn’t kill it within a week? Kudos!
3. Seek Support: In some versions of Tetris, you can play co-op. Likewise, adulting needn’t be a solo game. Reach out, lean on loved ones, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Game Over Isn’t The End

At some point, the blocks might pile up. You’ll face overwhelming odds, both in Tetris and in life. But a “Game Over” screen isn’t the end. It’s a chance to start over, to learn from past mistakes, and to play again with new wisdom.

Remember, whether you’re swiveling blocks or navigating the maze of adulthood, the aim isn’t just to survive but to thrive. And perhaps, just like Tetris, we’re not just fitting pieces with each twist and turn — we’re crafting our unique masterpiece.

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