Why Tetris?

That’s a trick question – nobody questions Tetris. Instead I’ll tell you why it’s important to me and how it still impacts my life.

I grew up with an Atari, then an NES, followed by a Game Boy. And that Game Boy came with Tetris. I remember playing it for hours and hours, even when I received new games as gifts, I found myself drawn in by the falling bricks.

Eventually I set it aside, as all kids do eventually. It wasn’t until decades later when Tetris99 was introduced that the bug caught me again. The new element of competition gave me a push, but the familiar pattern stacking is all I needed.

If you aren’t familiar with the game, the concept is quite simple: there is a set number of shapes which can be rotated, and the objective is to complete a line horizontally which causes it to disappear. Clear the lines before the space fills up vertically. Simple, right?

So what makes the game so enthralling for some people? If they are like me, it’s the calming state it induces. (I can hear some of you saying, “Whaaaat?! Tetris is stressful!”)

For me, I can be clearing lines as the speed of the falling blocks increases, and solving a difficult work or life decision at the same time.

It helps me focus by drawing part of my brain toward a task, while allowing the other part to think without distraction.

Essentially, Tetris is meditation for certain types of thinkers.

Today I use a Tetris break to step away and get some perspective. I also go for walks, read, or do some old-fashioned meditation too. Tetris is just one of my options.

It’s always fun to see Tetris cross over into other applications as well – loading a moving truck, getting all the groceries to fit in that one tiny reusable bag you remembered to bring…those are moments that remind me to be in the moment. All thanks to Tetris.