Across its almost 20-year lifespan, the Animal Crossing franchise has introduced players to an ever-growing cast of endearing animal characters. Even among a cast of literally hundreds of characters, though, the philosophical otter Pascal remains one of the series' most beloved recurring visitors. Ever since his debut in Animal Crossing: Wild World, Pascal has had a history of wandering into the players' town, offering sea-themed items and sage advice in exchange for snacks of freshly-caught scallops.
In previous titles, Pascal only had a handful of unique thoughts to share with the player. Now, in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, he gives out nearly 300 distinct deep thoughts (though it was a pain to get him to spawn for some players), many of which offer genuinely thought-provoking advice that can get almost a little too real. Some of his words of wisdom really resonate with Animal Crossing players and speak to the troubles they face in their real lives.
10 "You Might Be The Star Of Your Own Life, But Everybody's Hosting Their Own Reality Show, Maaan."
People can only experience their own lives and cannot step inside another person's and feel what they feel. The tendency within some, then, is to view themselves as the star or protagonist of their story, while everyone they come into contact with becomes something of a side character.
While viewing the world through that lens may be natural, it can also encourage a person's more selfish tendencies. Pascal reminds players that, although they may not see it, everyone around them is the star of their own life and faces their own struggles. As such, each person ought to take others' feelings and experiences into consideration before acting in their own self-interest.
9 "Talking's Pretty Good, As Things To Do With Your Head Go, But Listening Is Where It's At, Maaan."
This wisdom from Pascal also points out that life is not just about what one person wants or perceives. It is important to have individual opinions and express them, but it is equally (and sometimes more) important to remain silent and just listen to what others have to say.
By listening, humankind can be exposed to and learn from new perspectives and form their own opinions in response to new information. In the process, it's possible to become more intelligent, sensitive, and informed people.
8 "Lots Of Folks Try To Take The Easy Road, But, Maaan, That Just Means You've Gotta Deal With A Lot Of Traffic."
When it comes time to consider career opportunities or any significant plans for the future, people are often tempted to look for an easy, get-rich-quick scheme rather than accept that most things worth having require work.
Pascal assures fans that the easy road is not all it seems. If everyone takes the easy road, it is no longer a secret path to success but a crowded traffic jam of people who have found little reward. Taking the easy road and avoiding difficulty may seem like the attractive option, but hard work will always be the more reliable choice.
7 "You Don't Want To Miss The Good Ol' Days Too Much, Or You Might Miss Out On The Good New Days."
When faced with hardship, people tend to idealize the past and wish they could return to a simpler time, free of present worries. However, when fondly reminiscing, people forget that they were anxious about life in the past too. Time and current difficulties have just erased past problems from memory. Ironically, the stressful present will become the new "good ol' days" years later.
An example of this phenomenon occurs in high school. While enrolled in high school, students long to be children without responsibility again, but years later, those same people will fondly look back on their high school days and wish to go back. Pascal encourages players to break this cycle and enjoy life at whichever stage they currently find themselves in.
6 "They Say Not To Cry Over Spilled Milk. I Say Go Ahead. Cry Over Whatever You Need To. Maaan, Just Let It Out."
Nintendo released New Horizons during one of the most difficult years in recent memory, and for many gamers, titles like New Horizons served as an excellent outlet for all the stress 2020 inspired.
Everybody probably needed to hear Pascal's reassurance that it is okay to cry over whatever it is that needs crying about, and that expressing feelings is healthier than suppressing them. In times filled with so much uncertainty and stress, Pascal's advice to let sadness run its course definitely struck a chord with many players.
5 "Whether You Walk Or Run, You're Gonna Get There When You Get There. That's Why I Backstroke, Maaan."
Much of Pascal's wisdom advocates his chill, contented lifestyle, and this quote is no exception. Here, Pascal explains the reasoning for his literally laid-back form of travel. If someone is going to achieve their goals in due time, whether they rush or not, then they should take time to enjoy the simple things in life.
There is no need to be so concerned with achieving goals in such a short time, and it is okay to give yourself a break. It is okay to take things slow. The tortoise beat the hare, after all.
4 "Talented Folks Are Just Normal Folks Who Practice Something More Than Other Folks, Maaan."
In this age of social media, people are often tempted to compare their life's struggles to the perfect lives that others project online. It is easy to assume that every difficult task comes naturally to more talented people.
However, just as people do not see others around them as the stars of their own stories, they cannot see how others practice and strive to improve. To see others as inherently more talented is incorrect and a disservice to the practice that everyone must put in to become better.
3 "You Don't Always Get To Do What You Love, But You Can Always Learn To Love What You Do."
There are few things more stressful than deciding on a career. Furthermore, the cliche advice to "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" is in itself stressful, if someone does not have anything they love or if what they love cannot become a career.
Life can be disappointing, and many may never get to do what they love. That said, they can always change their perspective and learn to appreciate what they are doing. Pascal notes that it is never too late to change one's outlook on life, and that people can learn to derive joy from almost anything life throws at them.
2 "You Can't Hug The Whole World, No Matter How Much You Want To. No One's Arms Are That Long, Maaan."
This sentiment particularly resonates in light of the past few difficult years. The Internet and its 24-hour news cycle makes even a moment of ignoring what is going in the world almost impossible.
That burden of responding to and being constantly informed about all the tragedies of the world can be mentally damaging. As important as it is to fight for social change, no-one has the ability to be everywhere at once. It is okay to recognize your limitations and take a break sometimes.
1 "Maaan, If You Waste Your Time Doing Something You Enjoy, Then You Don't Waste Your Time."
Possibly Pascal's most meta advice, this bit of wisdom came at a perfect time, when people were confined to their houses with nothing to do but indulge in their hobbies. Social pressures often demand that people use their free time to improve their lives in some way, so many often feel guilty for any time spent simply having fun (even though fun distractions may actually make people more productive).
Pascal reaffirms that no-one should feel ashamed for enjoying pleasant distractions, and that time spent having fun can hardly be considered a waste. After all, what could be a better use of quarantine free time than hours of playing Animal Crossing?