Transformational game

Time for yourself. A way to grow closer.

“The Way to Yourself” is an evening of honest reflection and meaningful conversation, whether you play alone, with a partner or with friends. Move across a vividly illustrated, symbolic game board, draw cards and explore questions that rarely find space in everyday life. Play online or offline.

Play online · ~~€19~~€10 Get the board game

Play online today. One payment covers up to four players.

Not sure what request to focus on? Start with a life audit.

The Way to Yourself board and card decks on a wooden table — The board is a joy to explore, like the picture books we loved as children.

1–4players, solo or with others

1–2 hoursto complete the online game

3 zonesto explore on the board

~150cards in the deck

transformational game
self-discovery game
Dreamer, Realist, Critic
board game for couples
questions for deep conversations
coaching game
online and offline
metaphorical board
transformational game
self-discovery game
Dreamer, Realist, Critic
board game for couples
questions for deep conversations
coaching game
online and offline
metaphorical board

Before the game

Start with a life audit

Many players say they’d like more time to think about their request. A life audit gives you that opportunity beforehand. Rate eight areas of your life from 0 to 10 and discover what’s worth thinking about right now. You can also complete the audit on its own, without playing the game.

Take the life audit

Free to complete, takes about five minutes and works on any device. Your answers remain private.

A coach’s note

A scale of 0 to 10 is one of the simplest coaching tools, but also one of the most effective. When you take a moment to honestly assess where you are, you begin to see things more clearly: what’s already working well in your life and what you’d like to change.

Kseniia Briuzgina

Why this game

Reconnect with your inner compass

Dreamer

Inside each of us is a quiet voice that knows what we truly want and energises us. But too often, that voice is drowned out by responsibilities, by everything we think we should do, and by the habit of trusting others more than ourselves.

This isn't a game about life hacks, quick fixes or becoming more productive. It's an invitation to slow down, listen to yourself and spend meaningful, unhurried time with your partner or friends.

Realist

Critic

Many adults forget that play is a way to learn about the world because it seems too frivolous. I believe there's something wonderful about holding on to our childlike curiosity, because it can open the door to joy, wonder and happiness. Opening up is much easier through metaphor and play than in a "serious" talk. There's no winning or losing here. Instead, you might leave with the answer you came looking for, or perhaps a more honest question to ask yourself.

The Way to Yourself is about a sense of agency. It's the feeling that you can make your own choices and that your actions have an impact on the world around you. It's about more than simply having confidence in your abilities. It's being able to say, "I'm steering my own life, not just drifting with the current."

Who it's for

You might recognise yourself

Everything looks fine, yet there is no calm or joy inside
Work, home, holiday plans. Everything seems to be in place. And still, on a Sunday evening, you realise you haven't asked yourself what you want in a very long time. The game gives you the time and space to explore that question, rather than letting it get lost in the noise of everyday life.
You're facing a difficult decision and going in circles
Leave or stay, move somewhere new, start something of your own or return to something you once gave up. You've weighed your options a hundred times and it hasn't got any easier. The game invites you to explore your choices from the perspectives of the Dreamer, the Realist and the Critic, helping you recognise which voice is really guiding you.
You've spent so long putting others first
Your children, your team, your parents, even the person you feel you're supposed to become. Somewhere along the way, you've lost sight of what you want for yourself. The game offers a gentle opportunity to reconnect with yourself and remember what matters to you.
You want real closeness
Even with a partner or friends you've known for years, conversations can become centred around everyday responsibilities and plans. Through the game, you'll discover things about each other that rarely come up in conversation, and perhaps even rediscover parts of yourselves you'd forgotten along the way.
You're looking for a meaningful gift
Some people seem to have everything except time for themselves. This gift is more than something to unwrap and put on a shelf. It's an invitation to set aside an evening for reflection, play and meaningful connection.

Good to know

The game isn't a substitute for therapy, nor is it a typical party game. Set aside a quiet, unhurried evening and come with an open mind and a willingness to reflect honestly. How deeply you explore each question, and how much you choose to share, is entirely up to you.

How the game works

Three zones, three inner voices

Inside many of us, an argument is going on right now: the Dreamer wants, the Realist doubts, the Critic scolds. These three voices aren't enemies. Each has a role to play, and each tries to protect us in its own way. But sometimes, one voice becomes so loud that it drowns out the others, making it difficult to recognise what we truly want. That's why the game board is divided into three zones, giving each voice a chance to be heard.

Dreamer

“I want to understand what I truly want.”

Here, you give yourself permission to want things. This is a space to dream freely, without doubts or limitations. The Dreamer doesn't ask "How?" It asks "What if?"

Its strength is the courage to want.
Its shadow is getting carried away with ideas that aren't always realistic. This is often the voice of our inner child.

Realist

“There's a strength within me that I haven't discovered yet.”

Here, you turn to what already exists inside you: resources you haven't noticed and a foundation you've forgotten. The Realist doesn't create something new. It helps reveal what you already carry within you but haven't claimed yet.

Its strength is getting things done. It brings stability and helps us keep our feet on the ground.
Its shadow is shutting down a dream before it has a chance to take flight: "That's impossible. Be serious. Who do you think you are?"

Critic

“I question everything and don't trust myself.”

Here your inner critic gets a voice. You explore what it's trying to protect you from, even when its words seem harsh or unfair. When you listen with curiosity rather than fear, you may discover something important beneath the criticism.

Its strength is recognising real risks and protecting you from pain.
Its shadow echoes the voices of others, holding you back until you feel you’re finally “good enough”.

Give each voice its place

The problem isn't having three voices. It's mistaking the loudest one for who we really are.

When the Critic is loudest, fear outweighs desire.
When the Dreamer is loudest, ideas and plans remain unfinished.
When the Realist is loudest, life can feel stable but colourless.

You are not any one of these voices. You have the power to give each of them a place, and true balance comes when all three are heard.

Questions you haven't asked yourself in a long time

The cards are the heart of the game. Roll the die, land in a zone and draw a card with a question to answer aloud. The questions are often abstract, encouraging you to see familiar things from a different perspective and explore topics that rarely come up in everyday conversation.

Here are three cards from different decks. Try answering just one of them honestly right now to get a feel for how the game works.

Give your inner Critic a chance to speak. What is it most afraid of? Whose voice does it sound like?

What is the real obstacle in your way, the one you haven't said out loud yet?

What does your heart keep reaching for, even when your mind tells you it's unrealistic?

And a board that tells a story

At the top of the board, in the Dreamer's zone, there's a beach in Bali. You're surfing, feeling free and open to possibility. Then the phone rings, and the heroine faces a choice: return to the Realist's world of responsibilities and expectations, or take a different path. As you roll the die, you follow her journey, and somewhere along the way, you might recognise your own.

Each zone hides transition squares. Land on one, and you'll find yourself in a different zone, whether you planned to go there or not. The illustration beneath your playing piece offers a clue as to why.

Fears and Resources decks next to the board

Question cards

Three decks, one for each zone, with questions that reflect each inner voice's unique perspective.

Resource cards

Each card reveals something that could help you with your request. It might already be part of your life but just hidden from view.

Fear cards

Each card asks two questions. The first helps you name the fear, while the second explores what that fear might be trying to protect you from.

The Door card

The final card that brings the game to a close. Complete the sentence "As I leave this game, I intend to…" and keep the card as a reminder of your intention.

What question would you bring to the game?

The decks contain dozens of cards like these, with each one leading you back to your own request. Why not gather a few friends and give it a try this week?

Play online · ~~€19~~€10 Order the board game

How to play

Share your request
Ask yourself: "What question would I like this game to help me answer?" Say your answer aloud, but don't worry about getting it exactly right. You can change or refine your question as you play.
Draw your starting cards
Without looking, draw two Resource cards and two Fear cards and place them face down. You will reveal them one at a time.
Choose your starting zone
Dreamer, Realist or Critic. Trust your intuition. There's no right or wrong answer.
Roll the die
If you roll a 1–5, move that number of squares and draw a card from the zone where you land. If you roll a 6 (the Key), move one square and reveal one of your starting cards.
Collect three tokens
The first time you answer a question in each zone, you receive its token. Collect all three tokens to show that you've given each voice a chance to be heard.
Open the Door
Once you've collected all three tokens, you can end the game whenever feels right or keep playing until the Key opens the Door on its own. Before you finish, complete one final sentence in your own handwriting: "As I leave this game, I intend to…"

Not just once

Every game is different

The Way to Yourself is a game you can return to again and again. Each time you play, you'll encounter only a small selection of the cards. You might bring a different request, the roll of the die might take you down a new path, and you might be playing with different people. Whether you're playing online or with the physical board game, no two experiences are the same.

What we didn't expect

You don't just get to know yourself. You get to know each other, too.

It's getting harder for me to stay truly close to friends who live in different cities and countries. I wanted more than just another video call. I wanted a reason to have a real conversation. It turned out that this is the heart of the game. In a single evening, people discover things about each other they're usually never asked, and even rediscover things about themselves they'd long forgotten.

“During the game, we learned more about each other than we had in years. It turned out to matter even more than figuring myself out.”

From our first players

Playing at the table: the board, the die, the decks and a card in a player’s hand

Who to play with

With people you can be honest around

Playing with people close to you is great, because they act as your external memory bank. They can remind you of moments you have already forgotten, or name what you might struggle to voice.

A full online game takes around one to two hours, while the physical board game usually takes longer, so it's worth setting aside an evening. There's no need to rush. Silence is part of the experience, and you can skip any question.

And one ground rule for everyone: what's shared at the table stays at the table.

On your own

Settle in with a notebook and a cup of tea. Write down the request you'd like to explore, reflect on your answers and take things at your own pace.

Playing on your own can be more challenging, as it often helps to have someone to talk things through with. But you can also approach the game like a tarot spread, with a coaching twist. The cards help you explore a decision and see a situation from a different perspective. For solo players, we particularly recommend annual access, so you can return to the game whenever you're facing a choice.

As a pair

Play with your partner or a close friend. It's an opportunity to discover new things about each other, even after years of knowing one another.

With up to four people

Not everyone will finish at the same time, and that's perfectly fine. Those who finish earlier can stay and listen while the others continue playing.

A moment from a game

“I think I've just found the answer I came here looking for.”

A player at a game session in Helsinki

There were four of us, four friends gathered around the table. One friend came with a particular request in mind, but as we talked, a different theme kept coming up: parenthood, and the feeling that she somehow had to "finish" and "fix" herself before becoming a parent.

At some point, she realised she didn't need to fix herself first. Suddenly, she understood that this had been her real request all along, even though she'd never quite been able to put it into words, not even to herself.

And then, as if by magic, her game came to an end. She collected her three tokens and immediately rolled a six. It was as though, once she'd found her answer, nothing was holding her back any more.

That's why I created this game.

Kseniia, the creator

A game evening in Helsinki: the board, cards, glasses and strawberries on the table

From our first players

“It felt like the cards were being picked for me, they landed on my request so precisely.”

Mashaplayed with her husband

“We learned more about each other than we expected. For me, it's a game that brings you closer.”

Sashaplayed in a pair

“I kept landing in the Critic zone. The game showed me exactly what was holding me back, and that was the most valuable part.”

Nastyaplayed in a group

“It feels grounding and warm. It brings together playfulness, support and meaningful inner work, leaving you with the feeling that you've come away with something precious. And you have.”

Dinathe game’s illustrator

“The game is really interesting. The first time you play, you’re not just exploring your own question, but also discovering how the game works. The best part is that it’s not a one-off experience. You can come back to it again and again, with different questions and different people.”

Kseniiaplayed with a friend

“A neat, cozy self-reflection game. The three perspectives often reveal things you may not have realized about yourself. My favorite was the Dreamer: its questions are like the ones I find myself asking.”

Vincentplayed solo and with a friend

“I hope you feel, as often as possible, that you’re the author of your own life.”

Kseniia Briuzgina, the game’s creator

Give yourself an evening to reconnect

Choose what works best for you: a month of online games starting today, annual access to return whenever you like, or your own physical board game from the first print run. And if you'd like to explore things more deeply, you can even play a game with me.

Start today

One-month access

€10~~€19~~−47%for one month, no auto-renewal

Play as often as you like for 30 days, one game at a time.
One payment covers up to four players. With four players, that's less than €5 each.
Play directly in your browser. No downloads or installation required.
Each player has their own board and cards on their own screen.
Available in English and Russian. Best played on a computer or tablet, but phones work too.

Start a call before you play The game has no built-in video or chat, so arrange a call with your friends wherever you usually talk: Zoom, Google Meet, Telegram or any other messenger. The game stays open in the browser while the conversation happens in the call.

Get one-month access

For yourself

Annual access

€39for one year, no auto-renewal

Play as often as you like throughout the year.
Invite up to three friends to each game.
Each new request takes you somewhere new.
Even familiar questions can reveal something new six months later.

Get annual access

Coming to print

The boxed game

€50–€60first print run

A beautifully illustrated board and five decks of cards.
Tokens, playing pieces and a die for up to four players.
A hands-on experience, with real cards to hold and a die to roll.
A thoughtful gift for someone you care about, or a treat for yourself.

Join the first print run

For now, you can only pay for one-month or annual access using a bank card issued outside Russia.

Go deeper with me

Play with a coach

I'll guide you through the game in person or online, helping you recognise what's holding you back as you explore your request. Together, we'll gently examine the fears that emerge and discover how they might become sources of strength rather than obstacles. This is the kind of meaningful exploration the game was designed to encourage.

online or in person in Helsinki
up to 3 players

From €150per game

To enquire or book a session, email me at inbox@thewaytoyourself.online

Sign up for the first print run

Kseniia Briuzgina, the creator of the game

What I believe

Offline is the new luxury: a real conversation around one table is worth more than any feed.
Close, real relationships make us happier, and they are worth making time for.

From the creator

Why I made this game

My name is Kseniia, and I'm a coach and career consultant. I love connecting with people, and for more than six years, I've spent my days talking with them about work and life. I've heard over 2,000 stories, each one different, yet I've noticed a recurring theme. Someone comes to me wanting to be more productive, but twenty minutes into our conversation, we discover that they haven't truly listened to themselves in a long time. They've lost touch with what they really want, leaving them without the energy or motivation to take action, even when they know perfectly well what the "right" thing is.

I wanted to help people reconnect with themselves, so I spent several years searching for the right approach. I explored cards, frameworks and courses, but nothing quite felt right. Then I took a year away from social media and became a mother. Suddenly, there was no time for endless self-improvement, but I understood more clearly than ever how important it is to listen to yourself and find your way back to who you are, especially when life suddenly revolves around another person.

The game was born when my son was six months old, out of love, joy and a powerful burst of creativity. It also reflects my own way to myself: becoming the person I truly am, free from masks and societal expectations. That's why I called it The Way to Yourself. I hope you feel, as often as possible, that you're the author of your own life. And I invite you to play.

Kseniia Briuzgina

Play online · ~~€19~~€10 Order the board game

Questions people ask

Is this therapy?

No, it is a game for an honest conversation with yourself and people close to you. It isn't a form of therapy or a substitute for professional mental health support, although it may inspire you to explore certain questions more deeply.

Can I play alone?

Absolutely! Playing with a partner or friends can make reflection easier, as having someone to listen, ask questions and notice things you might overlook can be helpful. Playing alone can be more challenging, but it has its own advantages. You can take your time and explore thoughts you might not yet feel comfortable sharing with others. Keep a notebook handy to record your answers and help you stay focused on each question. You can also approach the game like a tarot spread, but with a coaching twist. Start with a decision you’re facing, then draw cards to explore it from different perspectives through the eyes of the Dreamer, the Realist and the Critic. Not sure where to begin? Try the life audit first. It can help you identify your request.

Do we need a facilitator?

No, the game is designed to be self-guided. All the rules are explained in a short booklet, while the online version guides you through each step as you play.

What if a question feels too personal?

You decide how deeply you want to explore each question. You can skip it, reflect on it privately or share only what feels comfortable.

I'm not used to conversations like this. Will it be hard?

It might feel a little unfamiliar or even awkward at first, and that's perfectly normal. Conversations often start slowly as everyone settles in, then find their own rhythm. Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders and see where the game leads you.

Which should I choose: the online game or the boxed game?

The questions, cards and gameplay are the same in both versions. What differs is the experience. The online game is ideal if you want to play right away or connect with friends who live far away. The boxed game offers a more hands-on experience: holding the cards, exploring the illustrated board, moving your playing piece and rolling the die. Offline is the new luxury. Why not start with the online game and sign up to be among the first to know when the boxed version becomes available?

How do we talk to each other when playing online?

The game doesn't have built-in video or chat features. Simply start a call using Zoom, Google Meet, Telegram or another messaging app, then have each player open the game in their own browser.

Which devices does the online version work on?

You can play on a computer, tablet or smartphone. However, because the game board is so detailed, we recommend using a computer or tablet for the best experience. A larger screen makes it easier to appreciate the illustrations and explore the board.

Can I order the boxed game as a gift?

Yes! Once the first print run is available, you'll be able to order the game as a gift. For now, you can sign up to be notified, and I'll email you with ordering and delivery details when it's ready.

When is the best time to buy access?

Whenever suits you. Access starts immediately after payment and lasts 30 days, or 12 months with annual access, with no automatic renewal. Create a room once everyone is ready and you've started your call. One game runs at a time.

How do I pay for the game?

You can pay for one-month or annual access using a bank card through our secure checkout page. Your access starts immediately after payment. Please note that we currently only accept cards issued by banks outside Russia. If you experience any issues with payment, please email inbox@thewaytoyourself.online.

What is «Ита́ки»?

It is the Russian name of the game. In Russian, it used to be called «Путь к себе», and now it is «Ита́ки», after Ithaca, the island Odysseus spent twenty years sailing home to.