"Just have fun, Mom."

 I've avoided Creative mode in Minecraft like covid. It snuck up on me today.

There are three main game play modes in Minecraft: Creative, Survival and Hardcore. I'm comfortable with Survival and Hard Core, but Creative intimidates me. There's so much freedom. There's nothing you HAVE to do. There's no job. It's just me and all the possibilities.

And my mind goes blank.

We're on a family trip this week to Portland, OR. Yesterday was the day of the trip where everyone gets tired and cranky, bumps into each other, runs out and falls down. So, today we're resting. Enter Minecraft.

"Mom, want to play Minecraft?"   Sure.

After my kid does a dozen things on my laptop (most of which I don't quite understand), I'm able to get on the server he made for him and his friends. It is in survival mode, BUT they've done so much work gathering resources that it might as well be creative. My kid gives me diamond enchanted armor, and tells me to take any resources I want. I ask what needs to be done.

"Just have fun, Mom."

Yikes.

Ok. Well. Hm. I'll try.

I mean. It IS fun.

I love playing Minecraft. (Disclaimer: it wasn't always that way. It took a LONG time.)

And, it was time for me to face the blank canvas. Time for me to face how bad I think I am at building. at making pretty things. at imagining.

Turns out, I'm not completely awful. I found a pretty spot, and started a base. My kid came to help, and his additions sure do make me look good!

Take-a-way: Being creative IS fun. And it might be ok to try that.

We're heading to the beach this evening, so I think I'll hop back on the server, and work some more on my base before we head out.

attempting to play,

Velma

Mama Mavel

Photo Caption: Yesterday we took a hike to an absolutely beautiful spot up the Gorge. The green was sooo gorgeous. Might be fun to recreate this spot near my base... Hm...