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Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games: How to Feel with Curiosity Rather Than Suffering
In this book, Victoria Ichizli-Bartels offers simple tools to explore your emotions, resulting feelings, and connected experiences as if they were games.
Ichizli-Bartels argues that you may not be able to control your emotions, but you can navigate them; often without having to act through them, but allowing yourself to feel with curiosity and without suffering, pressure, or guilt. All you have to do is know your tools and use them well during your navigation adventure.
Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games is a surprising, revolutionary, and never-before-undertaken approach to exploring emotions, feelings, and experiences by dissecting them into the main and well-known game goals, rules, feedback systems, and voluntary participation.
The three parts of the book present a detailed introduction to the approach, many examples of gameful explorations of emotions, feelings, and related concepts considered in pairs, and true stories from the author’s life illustrating sometimes surprising but always illuminating experiences of emotions.
The concluding two chapters will introduce you to the start of an infinite list of emotions, feelings, and related concepts and give you some ideas and a template for your gameful explorations of emotions.
Letting yourself feel an emotion does not need to be stressful or scary. Take the gameful challenge this book offers. Learn how to navigate your emotions by exploring them like games, the tools you will need for that, and what you can do to control these tools and become the best designer and player of the fantastic game collection that is your life.
Ichizli-Bartels argues that you may not be able to control your emotions, but you can navigate them; often without having to act through them, but allowing yourself to feel with curiosity and without suffering, pressure, or guilt. All you have to do is know your tools and use them well during your navigation adventure.
Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games is a surprising, revolutionary, and never-before-undertaken approach to exploring emotions, feelings, and experiences by dissecting them into the main and well-known game goals, rules, feedback systems, and voluntary participation.
The three parts of the book present a detailed introduction to the approach, many examples of gameful explorations of emotions, feelings, and related concepts considered in pairs, and true stories from the author’s life illustrating sometimes surprising but always illuminating experiences of emotions.
The concluding two chapters will introduce you to the start of an infinite list of emotions, feelings, and related concepts and give you some ideas and a template for your gameful explorations of emotions.
Letting yourself feel an emotion does not need to be stressful or scary. Take the gameful challenge this book offers. Learn how to navigate your emotions by exploring them like games, the tools you will need for that, and what you can do to control these tools and become the best designer and player of the fantastic game collection that is your life.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2024
28 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Ichizli-Bartels
54 books25 followersVictoria Ichizli-Bartels is a writer, coach, and consultant with a background in semiconductor physics, electronic engineering (with a Ph.D.), information technology, and business development.
While being a non-gamer in the traditional sense, Victoria coined the term self-gamification, a gameful and playful self-help approach bringing anthropology, kaizen, and gamification-based methods together to increase the quality of life.
She approaches all areas of her life this way. Due to the fun she has while turning everything in her life into games, Victoria intends never to stop designing, developing, and playing them. Inspired by a friend's tip, she now likes to call everyone who approaches their life gamefully, including herself, a “life gamer.”
Victoria is the author of more than ten books and the instructor of two online courses on turning life into fun games and living gamefully.
Victoria grew up in Moldova and has lived in Germany for twelve years. Since 2008, she has lived in Aalborg, Denmark, with her husband and two children.
While being a non-gamer in the traditional sense, Victoria coined the term self-gamification, a gameful and playful self-help approach bringing anthropology, kaizen, and gamification-based methods together to increase the quality of life.
She approaches all areas of her life this way. Due to the fun she has while turning everything in her life into games, Victoria intends never to stop designing, developing, and playing them. Inspired by a friend's tip, she now likes to call everyone who approaches their life gamefully, including herself, a “life gamer.”
Victoria is the author of more than ten books and the instructor of two online courses on turning life into fun games and living gamefully.
Victoria grew up in Moldova and has lived in Germany for twelve years. Since 2008, she has lived in Aalborg, Denmark, with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Victoria Ichizli-Bartels presents a truly innovative approach in Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games. The framework she offers,treating emotions as game-like experiences with goals, rules, and feedback systems, transforms the way we think about self-awareness and personal growth.
What stands out most is the balance between intellectual clarity and practical application. The book doesn’t just present theory; it provides clear examples, real-life stories, and adaptable tools that make emotional navigation feel less abstract and more like a skill one can refine. This makes the work not only original but also enduringly useful for readers at different stages of their personal and professional journeys.
The gameful perspective is both refreshing and effective: instead of resisting or suppressing emotions, the reader is invited to explore them with curiosity, creativity, and even a sense of play. That shift alone makes the book a valuable contribution to the growing conversation on emotional intelligence and self-mastery.
It’s the kind of book that lingers, encouraging reflection long after you’ve closed the pages, and one that can easily serve as a guiding companion for those working on deepening their emotional resilience and adaptability.
Victoria Ichizli-Bartels presents a truly innovative approach in Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games. The framework she offers,treating emotions as game-like experiences with goals, rules, and feedback systems, transforms the way we think about self-awareness and personal growth.
What stands out most is the balance between intellectual clarity and practical application. The book doesn’t just present theory; it provides clear examples, real-life stories, and adaptable tools that make emotional navigation feel less abstract and more like a skill one can refine. This makes the work not only original but also enduringly useful for readers at different stages of their personal and professional journeys.
The gameful perspective is both refreshing and effective: instead of resisting or suppressing emotions, the reader is invited to explore them with curiosity, creativity, and even a sense of play. That shift alone makes the book a valuable contribution to the growing conversation on emotional intelligence and self-mastery.
It’s the kind of book that lingers, encouraging reflection long after you’ve closed the pages, and one that can easily serve as a guiding companion for those working on deepening their emotional resilience and adaptability.
September 9, 2025
Review of Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Victoria Ichizli-Bartels delivers a refreshing and deeply practical perspective on emotional well-being in Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games. As someone who has read this book, I found it to be both innovative and empowering in the way it reframes our relationship with emotions.
Instead of viewing emotions as overwhelming forces to suppress or control, Ichizli-Bartels invites us to see them as game-like experiences that can be explored with curiosity. By breaking down emotions into familiar game components, such as goals, rules, feedback systems, and voluntary participation, the book makes complex inner experiences approachable and even playful.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the wealth of real-life examples. The author’s willingness to share her personal stories makes the book authentic and relatable, while the exercises and templates encourage readers to actively apply the concepts to their own lives. The sections that pair emotions and feelings for gameful exploration were especially eye-opening, offering perspectives I hadn’t considered before.
This book does not trivialize emotions. Rather, it gives the reader practical tools to experience them fully without judgment, guilt, or fear. The approach is gentle, creative, and non-prescriptive—perfect for anyone who wants to cultivate a healthier, more curious relationship with their inner world.
I highly recommend Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games to anyone interested in personal growth, emotional resilience, or simply a fresh and empowering way of understanding themselves. It is a short but impactful read that you can return to again and again, each time discovering new insights about the “game collection” that is your life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Victoria Ichizli-Bartels delivers a refreshing and deeply practical perspective on emotional well-being in Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games. As someone who has read this book, I found it to be both innovative and empowering in the way it reframes our relationship with emotions.
Instead of viewing emotions as overwhelming forces to suppress or control, Ichizli-Bartels invites us to see them as game-like experiences that can be explored with curiosity. By breaking down emotions into familiar game components, such as goals, rules, feedback systems, and voluntary participation, the book makes complex inner experiences approachable and even playful.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the wealth of real-life examples. The author’s willingness to share her personal stories makes the book authentic and relatable, while the exercises and templates encourage readers to actively apply the concepts to their own lives. The sections that pair emotions and feelings for gameful exploration were especially eye-opening, offering perspectives I hadn’t considered before.
This book does not trivialize emotions. Rather, it gives the reader practical tools to experience them fully without judgment, guilt, or fear. The approach is gentle, creative, and non-prescriptive—perfect for anyone who wants to cultivate a healthier, more curious relationship with their inner world.
I highly recommend Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games to anyone interested in personal growth, emotional resilience, or simply a fresh and empowering way of understanding themselves. It is a short but impactful read that you can return to again and again, each time discovering new insights about the “game collection” that is your life.
September 4, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)
Deeply Practical and Surprisingly Uplifting
What impressed me most about Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games is how actionable it is. This isn’t just a book about understanding emotions, it’s a guide to actively working with them in real life.
The structure is very clear: first you learn the idea, then you see examples, and finally you get tools to try it yourself. That last part was my favorite because it makes the whole concept personal. You finish the book not just with insights but with a way to build your own “game” for navigating whatever life throws at you.
I came away feeling lighter, as if I’d been given permission to be curious about my emotions instead of judging them. It’s rare to find a book that is both gentle and practical, but this one achieves that balance beautifully.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a new approach to self-awareness and emotional growth.
Deeply Practical and Surprisingly Uplifting
What impressed me most about Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games is how actionable it is. This isn’t just a book about understanding emotions, it’s a guide to actively working with them in real life.
The structure is very clear: first you learn the idea, then you see examples, and finally you get tools to try it yourself. That last part was my favorite because it makes the whole concept personal. You finish the book not just with insights but with a way to build your own “game” for navigating whatever life throws at you.
I came away feeling lighter, as if I’d been given permission to be curious about my emotions instead of judging them. It’s rare to find a book that is both gentle and practical, but this one achieves that balance beautifully.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a new approach to self-awareness and emotional growth.
September 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, what a book! Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games by Victoria Ichizli-Bartels is such a refreshing and eye-opening read. The way she frames emotions as game elements, goals, rules, feedback, and participation, makes something that usually feels overwhelming suddenly approachable and even exciting.
I loved how the author combines practical tools with personal stories, showing how curiosity can replace pressure, guilt, or fear when facing emotions. It’s both professional and deeply human.
When I first saw Ainsley Blake’s work and then came across this book, I thought, here’s another transformative perspective that really sticks with you. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to explore their emotions in a creative, empowering way.
Wow, what a book! Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games by Victoria Ichizli-Bartels is such a refreshing and eye-opening read. The way she frames emotions as game elements, goals, rules, feedback, and participation, makes something that usually feels overwhelming suddenly approachable and even exciting.
I loved how the author combines practical tools with personal stories, showing how curiosity can replace pressure, guilt, or fear when facing emotions. It’s both professional and deeply human.
When I first saw Ainsley Blake’s work and then came across this book, I thought, here’s another transformative perspective that really sticks with you. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to explore their emotions in a creative, empowering way.
September 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve only read the first chapter of Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games, but it already left a strong impression on me. Victoria Ichizli-Bartels introduces such a refreshing and playful perspective on emotions, seeing them through the lens of games makes the idea of navigating feelings far less intimidating and much more approachable. The writing is clear, engaging, and encouraging, and it feels like the author is giving practical tools while also inspiring curiosity and self-kindness. If the rest of the book continues with the same warmth and insight as the opening chapter, I can already tell it will be an empowering read. Excited to continue this journey.
I’ve only read the first chapter of Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games, but it already left a strong impression on me. Victoria Ichizli-Bartels introduces such a refreshing and playful perspective on emotions, seeing them through the lens of games makes the idea of navigating feelings far less intimidating and much more approachable. The writing is clear, engaging, and encouraging, and it feels like the author is giving practical tools while also inspiring curiosity and self-kindness. If the rest of the book continues with the same warmth and insight as the opening chapter, I can already tell it will be an empowering read. Excited to continue this journey.
September 9, 2025
Excited to Dive Into This Book!
I haven’t read Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games yet, but everything about it makes me want to pick it up right away. The idea of treating emotions like games, where you explore them with curiosity instead of being weighed down by them, feels so refreshing and unique.
I often struggle with how to handle strong emotions, and the promise of practical tools, personal stories, and a playful approach really speaks to me. I especially love the concept of using game components like goals, rules, and feedback to navigate feelings, it sounds like it will make emotions easier to understand and much less overwhelming.
This book seems like it could be a game-changer (literally!) in how I approach my emotional world. Definitely adding it to my reading list.
I haven’t read Navigate Your Emotions by Exploring Them Like Games yet, but everything about it makes me want to pick it up right away. The idea of treating emotions like games, where you explore them with curiosity instead of being weighed down by them, feels so refreshing and unique.
I often struggle with how to handle strong emotions, and the promise of practical tools, personal stories, and a playful approach really speaks to me. I especially love the concept of using game components like goals, rules, and feedback to navigate feelings, it sounds like it will make emotions easier to understand and much less overwhelming.
This book seems like it could be a game-changer (literally!) in how I approach my emotional world. Definitely adding it to my reading list.
November 5, 2024
Navigate your Emotions by Exploring them like Games is a unique and intuitive approach to delving into and coming to a better understanding of ones emotional responses in life. The author breaks the subject down into easy-to-bite pieces, comparing emotional groups such as Regret vs Gladness, Joy vs Frustration, Jealousy vs Love, many such comparisons, and with a short narrative which invites the reader to open each emotional box, she helps you to navigate using a simple and eye-opening approach.
As the author says in the book;
"The information the emotion games provide can be jarring, loud and scary, or quiet, soothing, and peaceful."
The prime principle of her approach to analyzing one's emotions, which, as we all know can be locked up inside us and influence how we see and feel things later in life, is to simply treat the matter as a game and open the door to each package she provides, inspect one's responses, and experience whatever comes walking through that particular door. In the end, as the author says, one can experience greater calm and peace, but also other reactions, all of which help to better understand oneself. This self-improvement procedure follows the basic principle that it is better to look at one's life than to hide or run from it.
In doing so, one can learn to better control emotional responses and given that the road we travel will always have twists and turns to challenge us, knowing how to control one's reactions to it helps one to navigate both rough and calm seas.
A recommended read and simple approach to self-discovery - one that anyone can benefit from.
4.5 stars!
As the author says in the book;
"The information the emotion games provide can be jarring, loud and scary, or quiet, soothing, and peaceful."
The prime principle of her approach to analyzing one's emotions, which, as we all know can be locked up inside us and influence how we see and feel things later in life, is to simply treat the matter as a game and open the door to each package she provides, inspect one's responses, and experience whatever comes walking through that particular door. In the end, as the author says, one can experience greater calm and peace, but also other reactions, all of which help to better understand oneself. This self-improvement procedure follows the basic principle that it is better to look at one's life than to hide or run from it.
In doing so, one can learn to better control emotional responses and given that the road we travel will always have twists and turns to challenge us, knowing how to control one's reactions to it helps one to navigate both rough and calm seas.
A recommended read and simple approach to self-discovery - one that anyone can benefit from.
4.5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews