How Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Helped Me Get Into My Work From Home Routine

I’m not a morning person—like, at all. Back when I was still physically going into my office every day I’d usually wait until the absolute last minute to get up, get ready, and rush to get there in time. But for the past week and a half or so, I’ve been getting up at 7:00 am consistently, despite not having to officially start my workday until 8:30 am. I have Animal Crossing: New Horizons to thank for that. 

This wasn’t a game I expected to like—or even buy, frankly—but I’m so glad I did because it’s given me some much-needed structure in these weird times. At 7:00 am, I get up and make coffee so it’s ready for not just me, but my family as well. Since I’m already up, it’s easy enough to knock out any small chores I’ve left undone like dishes or wiping down my counters. And I don’t mind taking the extra time since my shop doesn’t open until 8 anyway. 

By the time chores (and checking Twitter) are done, coffee is ready and I can head back upstairs to start my rounds on my island, Vibe City. This is probably where things get a little less structured for me. I know that there are plenty of people who have a system for seeing what’s new on their islands, what order they gather resources in, etc., but I kind of just like to meander. It’s a relaxing way to wake up and just enjoy any little surprises that may have popped up. 

I’ve usually wrapped up my gathering and photography right around the time I need to hop on my first video conference call of the day at 8:30 am. After making sure I’ve gotten everything sold, assessed, or donated, I know it’s time to put the game down and focus on whatever work I need to get done. At around noon or 1:00, I start getting hungry and know that it’s time for lunch. It’s also a great time to boot AC up and do a bit more gathering, maybe invite some friends over or go visit someone myself. 

An hour is all I really need for this, and then it’s back to work. I can get through the rest of my tasks knowing I’ve accomplished most of what I wanted to in-game, and if things are slow at work I can open my island while I wait. Since there’s no combat or anything, if a work thing pops up, I know I can just leave my character bobbing place while I take care of it, with no need to worry about being in danger of anything but my Joy-Con drift taking me somewhere I wasn’t expecting. 

After work, I’m free to do whatever, which usually means working on any freelance or Uppercut-related stuff I need to, having dinner, spending time with my family, and of course, Animal Crossing. It’s become my go-to way to unwind as I get settled in for the night, catching fish and bugs to try and pay off my loan before I go to bed so I can wake up to a fresh new addition on my house. 

I know that this is a game that many people sink hours on end into, or time travel to advance things along, but its nature as something that can be done at your own pace has been really helpful for me, especially the limits the real-time clock enforces. Sure, I could time travel (there’s nothing wrong with this, don’t @ me) but by keeping these limits I’m able to better control my own hyper-consumptive impulses in a way that’s much healthier and better for my workload. 

As I progress through, the credits rolling looms, and I worry about what will happen after that. Will the peace I’ve found in this routine continue when I have to find my own fun? I’m honestly not sure, but regardless, I’m grateful for the structure this has given me, even if it can’t last forever. 

All screenshots taken by author.