“It wasn’t my fault.”
Line of Choice
A short game about the quarter second between what happens and how you respond. Notice the pull to blame, defend, deny or justify, and choose again.
Below the line. Blame, defend, deny and justify are automatic, and human. Noticing them is the first step back up.
About 10 minutes, with a quick check-in before and after. Anonymous: no names or contact details.
How it works
When someone cuts us off or criticises our work, we often blame, defend, deny or justify before we’ve had a chance to choose. The game lets you practise catching that moment.
Stay above the line
Above it is personal responsibility: owning how you respond. Below it are the automatic reactions. Dropping below is normal; the aim is to notice and come back up.
Triggers pause the game
Everyday moments, like a teammate who hasn’t done their part, freeze time. Choose your response before autopilot chooses for you.
Climb from 5 to 1
You start at Level 5, Automated Response, where most of us live. XP moves you up through Recognition, Social Value and Wisdom to Presence.
Personal responsibility is never blame. Nobody is responsible for becoming unwell. We can take responsibility for how we respond, and that includes asking for help.
Line of Choice is based on Global Leadership Foundation’s guide to emotional health and leadership, and is part of the Emotional Health Project workshops.
Play
Thanks for being honest.
If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. You can talk to someone now, for free:
Befrienders KL · 03-7627 2929 · 24 hours
Talian HEAL · 15555 · 8am to midnight
Emergency · 999
Stay above the line
You start at Level 5, where most of us live: plenty of automatic responses. Run, earn XP, and climb the emotional health levels to Level 1, Presence.
- Above the red line you earn 5× more XP. Dropping below is normal; staying there drains your presence.
- Dodge the clutter (pings, to-dos, doomscrolls) by switching sides: ↑ ↓, swipe, or tap the top or bottom of the track.
- Triggers freeze time for the magic quarter second. Pick the response that takes personal responsibility with 1 2 or a tap. Wait too long and your automatic response picks for you.
- Collect head, heart and body orbs. All three = Presence flow: 2× XP and clutter can’t touch you.
- Inner observer O slows the world for 3 seconds.
Back on autopilot
Levels follow the guide’s nine-level model (adapted from Riso & Hudson): you climb from 5 Automated Response to 4 Recognition, 3 Social Value, 2 Wisdom and 1 Presence. Below the line: blame, defend, deny, justify. Above it: personal responsibility for how you respond.
Thanks for playing
Invite a friend
Your link has your code, . Nothing personal is shared.
Want to go deeper? The Emotional Health Project runs free workshops for young adults.
Support
If you are struggling, reaching out is an above-the-line choice. These lines are free and confidential.