One of the reasons I created my website last year was to help people with personal growth and relationships. I wanted to provide a resource that would help people understand one another a little better. I wanted to help with conflict management and nurturing relationships in order to reach deeper and more intimate relationships. I do this by providing insight into the personality and such, but there are definitely many ways to reach deeper relationships with each other.
A husband and wife duo Jed and Sophia Lazar created a “getting to know you” game in 2016 that sprung from the question: “is it possible to reliably have amazing conversations that make people feel connected, seen and alive?”
From that, Cozy Juicy Real was made and meant to launch right around the time the pandemic hit. They had no idea what an opportunity this would provide. With so many people feeling isolated, they created a virtual version of their game that helped people feel connected. Now, after years of preparation, the physical launch of their game is coming out on March 28 at 12pm PST.
A warning label on the game’s virtual website reads: “Cozy Juicy Real may lead to stronger friendships, feelings of belonging and fits of laughter!” It is for nearly any age, for 3-8 players, and can last one to several hours. It is meant to be a bonding experience, and bonding does not happen quickly or superficially.
To play the game, players move around the board landing on tiles that allows them to choose from one of four different decks of cards: Cozy, Juicy, Real, or Random.
Cozy cards are meant to ease players into comfortable non-threatening questions. One question is: “Imagine you’re offered a fully paid scholarship. What do you choose to study, and why?”
Juicy cards dig around more intimately and seek to reveal your more vulnerable side. One question asks: “Of all the people you’d like to reconnect with in your past, who would you choose and why?”
Real cards want to get at your most authentic self. One card asks: “Over the past year, what’s a challenge you’ve overcome and how did you overcome it?”
There are a few other types of cards and logistical rules, but for the most part the entire experience is meant to bring you closer to others. If you want to feel connected to strangers or deepen the relationships you already have, this is a great game to play.
The game is being launched through an online event the couple created called Connect Fest, which features “some of the best minds in the world of connection, authenticity, creativity and play.” Connect Fest is offering one month of free virtual events, with speakers talking on topics such as, “What does it take to fall in love with someone?” to “Cultivating Psychological Safety” and “Connecting to Others Through Nerd Improv,” with plenty of other topics. The goal of Connect Fest is “to meet new people, connect with friends, deepen relationships with family and build community.”
I, personally, love the idea of this game and can’t wait to play. In a world that feels increasingly isolated with loneliness at an all-time high, this game is providing an opportunity to combat that.
Don’t miss their launch on March 28 at 12 pm PST at Connect Fest, but if you can’t make it to the event, definitely take the time to play this game with a few others if you can.
The Human Connection 