Mornings Are for Coffee and (Virtual) Fishing
I think I've discovered the perfect morning routine.
First, I feed Ranni then have a glass of water and a bowl of Special K Fruit & Yogurt cereal. Special K is one of the few cereals you can find in grocery stores that's fortified with iron and B12, which helps with my chronic anemia and gives me energy for the day ahead.
Then, I've been using my Moka pot to get my coffee fix. I've found that it works better than my Breville machine for the perfect cup of espresso with steamed milk. It's also more sustainable and easier to clean!
Finally, before starting work, I boot up Cast n Chill.
It's a fishing game with gorgeous pixel art, as you can see by my screenshots in this post. It has several locations you can visit to find various fish species, with different weather, climates, and even seasons. You can also spot different kinds of wildlife in each location, from bears to rabbits to seals. For those who love nature but can't always easily go outdoors, it's a dream.
You complete objectives by catching fish, fixing up your cabin, and upgrading your equipment. The fishing mechanics are fairly simple but satisfying. Every location contains trophy fish and giant legendaries, which are harder to catch but well worth it if you're achievement hunting or looking to earn cash for upgrades.
One of the best parts, though, is its idle mode. You can turn it on and have the game fish for you, and the settings menu allows you to adjust what your avatar will catch and whether they'll sell it.
I turn on idle mode in the morning and put my headphones on so I can listen to nature sounds while I work. As I'm adjusting accounts and sifting through spreadsheets, I hear birdsong, water splashing, wind blowing, and animals chattering. I can glance at my laptop and witness an aurora in the night sky, or a stunningly vibrant sunrise, or an eagle flying off from its nest, or a family of otters diving and playing in the water.
It makes a perfect start to my day, a virtual getaway that I can mentally escape to while working. Of course, I work from home, which makes little excursions like this easier. I'm so glad I don't have to commute to an office, because I swear my productivity is so much better with this routine.
