Reconnect with Your Younger Self Through Journaling and Deep Play

The Present is a solo journaling experience designed to help you reconnect with your younger self with kindness, compassion, and awe.

With 32 prompts inspired by narrative, art, and play therapy, this guide invites you to dive into a written, drawn, and embodied exploration of your younger self's world. Reframe past experiences, offer the understanding and love you needed then, and reclaim your story with the wisdom you've gained.

Praise for The Present:

"The Present is a lovely solo game about supporting your younger self. The compassionate tone in which the text is written helps convey a sense of acceptance and security, which are pivotal when creating a game around such a theme. [...] The Present is a heart-warming game that absolutely nailed its execution."

— Marta "Minakie" Afonso, Designer of Hang In There, Little One

"It was such a powerful reminder of how creativity, play and joy can heal our hearts. [...] I drew the things that light me up - travel, flowers, and family, and wrote to my inner child: keep being curious and excited, without attachment to the outcome. 🌸

It was tender, freeing, and deeply healing. Thank you, Logan, for creating such a safe, creative space. 🙏"

-- Ishita Agarwal, Founder of The Cosmic Touch

How It Works:

Your Journey, Your Pace: Before starting, take a moment to set boundaries with yourself and prepare any safety tools you might need. Suggestions are linked in the pdf.

Pass Notes Across Time: Imagine your younger self sitting next to you, excited to be heard but nervous to speak. You’ll draw out their thoughts with simple sketches using your non-dominant hand.

Revisit, Reframe, Reclaim: With each response, you’ll have the chance to offer encouragement, support, and perhaps even learn something new from the child you once were.

Inspirations and acknowledgements:

• Dr. Lucia Capacchione's Recovery of Your Inner Child informed the non-dominant hand drawing.
• This is a direct descendent of Marta “Minakie” Afonso’s Hang In There, Little One and 7skyes' The Plush Protector. If you enjoy this one, I suggest checking out the other two for slightly different mechanics and further reflection.
• All three games are variations of William Lentz’s Second Guess System.
• This game was made in the 2024 One-Page RPG Jam.

Jump In!

• I've love to bring The Present to more communities. If you’re a trauma-informed localization expert interested in sharing this experience, I’d love to collaborate.
• Have feedback? Please let me know!