For those that don’t know, The Sims is a life simulator video game that allows the user to dictate the life of people (called Sims) however they please. It’s the epitome of storytelling.

We often feel that video games rot the brain, or somehow are worthless, but there is a lesson in everything if we simply look.

1. Anything is attainable if you just work hard enough.

All Sims players know the time it takes to max out a skill. It takes hours of real time to perfect that guitar skill, to master the ability to upgrade your shower or simply smooth talk your way into any relationship.

2. Sometimes you just gotta get out your frustration and move on.

The Sims are very expressive people. Often if you tell them to do something they don’t want to do, they let you know with an exaggerated hand gesture and look to the sky. Then afterwards, everything is back to normal!

3. Safety first.

How often has your Sim burnt down the house (or themselves?) How many times have you been robbed? Taking that extra precaution goes a long a way to protecting your investments, and your dignity.

4. There are countless jobs and careers you can choose.

Why settle for a simple desk job when you could be a gene splicer, astronaut or the leader of the free world? Aim for the stars, and they may just come to you!

5. You have to sleep.

I personally hate sleep, but if you try to make your Sim pull an all-nighter, there is a good chance of them passing out in public, which is probably the most embarrassing thing that could happen to you, especially if you went to the club to smooth talk a Sim into getting dinner with you. Oops.

6. There are hidden adventures awaiting you if you’re willing to follow opportunities.

One of the coolest aspects of The Sims is the secret opportunities that arise after you accomplish certain things. Often in life we pass up opportunities in hopes that a “better” one might come, and overlook the less interesting parts. Life is full of excitement, and it could be right under our noses!

7. Relationships take work.

Now in the older versions, relationships were fairly linear and simply by complimenting and telling jokes you could find the love of your life. The later versions introduced the truth of long-term relationships. If you want to find true love, you gotta make the effort to get to know a person (or robot!) and see if you’re willing to put in the work!

8. Everyone is different.

The vast creativity in The Sims is impressive. From the characters’ personalities to custom color schemes for your epic game room -- the sky is the limit. The towns are full of different types of people with different stories to tell. You can celebrate these differences, or simply declare others as your nemesis and plot to destroy them.

9. Live your life.

Last, but never least, I’ve learned that The Sims just want to live their life. We can spend all the time we want focusing on our jobs, families or fantasies, but we need to take a moment and just live.

So next time you go into a room and forget why you’re in there, it is probably because your last action just got cancelled. Perhaps The Sims is more real than we think.