Life isn’t made of one big decision. It is made of a million tiny ones.
You are tired. The alarm goes off. Do you hit snooze (relief) or get up (discipline)? You are anxious. A friend invites you out. Do you stay home (safety) or go (connection)? You are angry. Your partner makes a comment. Do you snap back (defense) or take a breath (patience)?
In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this moment of decision is called the Choice Point.
Most of the time, we don’t realize we are making a choice. We get “hooked” by a difficult thought or feeling, and we automatically react to get rid of it. We move away from discomfort, but in doing so, we often move away from the life we want to live.
Choice Point Quest is a simulator to slow down that split second so you can choose your direction on purpose.
The Science: Towards vs. Away
Developed by ACT practitioners like Russ Harris, the Choice Point framework simplifies human behavior into two directions:
- Away Moves: Behaviors we do to escape or avoid unwanted thoughts and feelings (e.g., drinking to forget, yelling to release anger, procrastinating to avoid anxiety). These give short-term relief but long-term pain.
- Towards Moves: Behaviors that take us closer to our Values—the person we want to be. These often involve short-term discomfort (e.g., the awkwardness of a difficult conversation) but lead to long-term fulfillment.
The goal isn’t to be perfect. The goal is to notice when you are “hooked” and gently unhook yourself so you can pivot back to a “Towards” move.
The Game: Choice Point Quest
- The Situation: The game presents a relatable stressor (e.g., “You have a deadline looming, and you feel overwhelmed”).
- The Hook: It shows you the internal noise: “I can’t do this. I need a break. Just one YouTube video.”
- The Choice: You are presented with two paths.
- Path A (Away): Open YouTube. (Result: Immediate relief, but the monster grows).
- Path B (Towards): Open the document and write one sentence. (Result: Anxiety spikes, but the monster shrinks).
- The Debrief: The Choice Point Quest © PsychKit.org engine tracks your “Values Congruence Score,” helping you visualize how often you vote for your future self versus your fear.
👉 Start Your Quest: Choice Point Quest
Actionable Advice
- Name the Move: Catch yourself in daily life. When you reach for your phone to doom-scroll, say out loud: “This is an Away move.” You don’t have to stop doing it, but you have to acknowledge it. That awareness is the first step to change.
- The “V” Question: When you are confused about what to do, ask: “What would the ‘Best Version’ of me do right now?” That version of you is your compass.
Safety & Disclaimer
- This tool is for personal growth.
- Values vs. Morals: This isn’t about being “good” or “bad.” It’s about being effective. An Away move isn’t a sin; it’s just a move that takes you off your map.