Who We Are

Hi there. Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or struggling to work? That’s okay. We all feel like that sometimes. Sometimes it helps to think or talk about it. That's why we made What We Take With Us.

We, well, I am Dr Adam Jerrett and I’m a Doctor of Games (which is to say, I have a PhD in game design, for whatever that's worth). I made What We Take With Us during the pandemic, when the world felt a little too overwhelming and I needed something to help me make sense amidst the chaos. I soon realised it was about more than just me. It was about all of us and the things that matter when everything else feels uncertain.

WWTWU was also part of my PhD research, which explored how personal values shape the games we make and play. It wasn’t just this webgame, either. It spanned multiple formats, asking people to slow down, reflect, and connect with what matters to them:

  • This little webgame you see here.
  • A story that played out on Discord and YouTube, where players pieced together the story of Ana Kirlitz.
  • An escape room in Portsmouth, UK - except there was no escaping, just exploring.
  • A series of wellbeing workshops, where I guided players through the process to give them a moment to reflect.

It was messy, weird, and full of my whole heart - like all games kinda are. And now, here it is, in the hopes that it can help you too.

I hope you use this as a way to start exploring your feelings. If you need more help, check out the resources page, where I've put some links to games you can play, crisis resources, and helplines. I've found them useful, so I hope you do, too.

Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional or a mental health practitioner (but my wife is, which helps). I'm not even sure I'm a fully functioning adult. This tool is not medical advice, nor should it be treated as such. Ideally, it should be used alongside your existing self-care and other wellbeing routines. Keep seeing your doctor, therapist, or other healthcare providers, and keep taking any medication you've been prescribed.

If What We Take With Us is useful to you and you can afford to help support it, please consider doing so. Don't worry if you can't. I just hope it helps.

If you want to get in touch, tell us your story, or spam us with pictures of cute animals, please email me. I like dogs, and cats, and gerbils, and rabbits, and pet chickens named Roy.

Thank you for using my thing. You are awesome.