4 July 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2788: joystick

in Freewriters13 days ago

game-console-6603118_1280.jpg
Source

Just gripping a joystick gives you a sense of control, even if it is only for a moment. It fits in your hand as if it belongs there, as if it knows you’re about to request something larger than yourself. With a single simple motion, you may alter your direction, begin to move, or escape your surroundings. It's amusing how something so tiny can make you feel so powerful.

For many individuals, the joystick is a sentimental object, recalling childhood days in front of an old TV, fingers tapping buttons in an attempt to get past an impossible level. Perhaps it was in an arcade, surrounded by bright lights and loud noises, with your friends cheering as you moved on to the next round. Alternatively, it might be more recent—an escape from stress, a chance to breathe after a long day.

The joystick is more than simply plastic and wires; it is a tool for reaction and intuition. You don't have time to think; you simply move. Left, right, jump, duck. It promotes you to trust your instincts. Losing teaches you to try again, to be patient, and to understand the cadence of the challenge.

Sometimes I wish life had a joystick. It's something you may use to assist you get back on track when things go wrong. A technique to reset, pause, or slow things down when things feel too fast. But perhaps that's why people love games: they give us a feeling of control that we sometimes lack in reality.

A joystick may not change the world. In the right hands, it may bring joy, boost attention, and remind you what it feels like to succeed—albeit in small ways.