the other you

somewhere, in another universe where the threads of fate were woven differently than they were in this one, there is another you. this other you is about to embark on a journey. you have the opportunity to bear witness to their journey, and perhaps even to offer them some help along the way.

this is a meditative storytelling game that can be visited at any time, anywhere, by anyone; it requires no materials outside of these instructions, a little imagination, and your own body. however, if you want some way of recording the story you tell, you are welcome to take notes digitally, in a physical notebook, or in whatever other way feels useful to you.

we'll start by framing the nature of the journey the other you is setting out on, by exploring a series of prompts around what the you in this universe is feeling in your body right now. once you have a feel for the nature of their journey, we'll move on to imagining their world and who they are as a person. the final prompt will reveal what it is you can offer to the other you as they continue on their journey.

a note on journeying alone or with a friend

while this was originally written as a solo game, it's possible that this sort of experience will feel safer for your own nervous system if you do it with a trusted friend. there are at least two simple ways to do this. the first is to go through the prompts as written, individually but in parallel (body doubling). the other is to interweave your prompts—imagine that the other you has met the other them in a shared alternate universe, and tell your story together.

a note on safety

this game relies heavily on paying attention to what you are feeling, particularly in terms of bodily sensations. if at any time this process begins to feel overwhelming or beyond what you have the capacity to hold safely, you are invited to set the game down and walk away. it will be here to return to later if you wish. your safety is the most important thing.

let’s begin.