I Created My Ultimate Dream Life In "The Sims" And Now I'm Obsessed

Because if there was ever a year to try out a simulation game — it was 2020.

Hi there, my name is Clare! On any given day you can find me with my nose in the proverbial book or eating my way through Sydney's foodie scene.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

Although, as with everyone this year, my hobbies and outdoor activities became severely limited — I even got sick of reading *gasp*.

So, I decided to give The Sims 4 a go, because apart from the one or two times during my young high school days, I'd never really gotten into any computer games. I blame my parents' beast in the computer room that took literal years to load a CD-ROM.

Before I dived into The Sims 4, I spent a lot of time on YouTube, looking up peoples' builds, gameplay challenges and extra features you can get with certain expansion packs. And let me tell you, I had no idea about the huge sense of community The Sims harbours.

EA Games

The things that experienced players can build is absolutely wild. Plus, the fact that they're sharing their expertise and tips online, so that other players can enjoy the most out of the game, just gave me such wholesome vibes.

I will admit, I spent a long time creating my Sim. At first, I started off just trying to make it look exactly like me, but I realised that this was an opportunity to really try out some new ~lewks~ that I'd never attempted IRL.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

I have long dark hair and I've never attempted to bleach it, even though I've always kinda wanted to see what blonde hair would look like on me. Plus, whenever I'd gotten a fringe, it had always become impossible to style after two days — I'm not great at managing my hair tbh.

So I had a lot of fun styling the different looks and changing hairstyles with the click of a button. I wish it was this easy in the morning to pull myself together.

Plus, there was this awesome personality quiz at the start that kind of sets up your Sim's character arc throughout the gameplay.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

And it was BANG on. My Sim was a freelance writer, currently working on a novel — it's scary how accurate it is to my current job and long-term aspirations.

Not to mention, she was dedicated. Five minutes into the game, she was on the computer, practicing her skills before I even gave her the command. Sim Clare, please lend some of that work ethic to RL Clare — I need it.

I made my partner a Sim too, because in reality, it's a shared dream of ours that we'll one day own a huge house that magically falls into our laps. As you can probably tell, I've bought way too many of those "win a house" lotto tickets.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

I know you're sitting there thinking, "Wow, way to dream big," but in reality, being able to afford a home and stop renting seems more and more like a fantasy. Forgive me for indulging my Sims with a little luxury.

Building your home in The Sims gives you an unlimited amount of freedom. From homes that are built underwater, to ones that float in the air, there are some really inventive community members that you can find online — with tutorials as well.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that building was more difficult than I expected. I spent about an hour going through all the tools, building walls and imagining 20,000 different layouts in my head and attempting them.

At times, it could feel too overwhelming because I know that IRL, I'll never have all these choices.

So, I packed up my Sim's household and moved them over to a mega mansion right by the water.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

I berated myself a little for not continuing with the initial build, but I did it for a couple of reasons:

1) I felt bad for my Sims just standing there as I tried to build.

2) I really wanted to start playing the game.

3) This house just looked so freaking epic.

Plus, I'm also committed to going back and rebuilding when I've upped my skill level.

This world, Willow Creek, is honestly the type of environment I have been craving this year. Somewhere out of the city, next to water and nature. It's the kind of place that I would want to settle down in Australia.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

I know a lot of people really enjoy city living, but at heart I'm a small-town girl — and having been stuck inside for the majority of the year, I find that I'm really craving somewhere that has a better view than my apartment block.

Because it's meant to be my dream house, I converted one of the bedrooms into a library, put in a gym for my partner and finally got the bay window kitchen area of my dreams.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

In one gameplay session, my Sims were living in their dream house, both with successful careers in their field of choice aaand I think it's safe to say that I'm now a little bit obsessed.

Clare Aston / BuzzFeed

I took them around town, interacting with different Sims and just generally exploring what they world has to offer. And let me tell you, it was kind of calming. To be able to build my dream life and play, even from the very first session, had me completely hooked.

So, what's next? I really want to start exploring the expansion packs so I can truly start to live a life only possible in The Sims.

EA Games / Via youtube.com

I need to get my girl a mermaid tail pronto and start living out my childhood fantasies. Not to mention, I've heard there's some vampires floating around somewhere and magic to be learned. Yep, my dream life is about to blow my imagination out of the water.