Unpacking: How We Tell Life’s Stories Through Stuff

Throughout all of our lives, we make moves and big life decisions, yet there is always a piece of something that follows us through every life event. That could be a stuffed animal, a blanket, or a picture. Whatever that item is, there is deep meaning to that certain object. That object also holds the memories from every event. For me, that was a stuffed bear named Smokey that I got when I was just born.

What do these items tell us about our own stories though? I think it is time to unpack our lives and look through how the items that have followed us through every move tell our story. Perhaps the best way to do that is with the game Unpacking, with the story only being told through the main character’s items and 1-2 text sentences after every move in the scrapbook we make.

In Unpacking, we follow a girl through her life, starting at the age of 11 with her first big move. In this, we see all of her stuffed animals and her art supplies as players thoughtfully put her things away. Players are able to see the childlike wonder that she has and how creative she is. We also get to see small bits of her love for fantasy with the ogre figure and dragon plushie. The star of the show though is the pink pig plush that will follow her through all the moves.

In the next move, we move her into a dorm for the first year of college. We see that she has gotten even better at her art and is now expanding her art supplies, being able to assume she is an art major. We also see the famed pig again! Now the difference here is we are moving her into a bathroom and kitchen also, and not just her bedroom. This gives even more insight as to the type of person she is when starting college, broadening the space she calls her own. She has traveled more and is now fully into the sci-fi and fantasy parts of her life. Though home will always be with her as her pink pig sits on her bed.

Three years later, we see her move in with a group of friends, most likely her Dungeons and Dragons group. Players are able to see all the games, cosplay, books, art supplies, workout things, and much more that combine all of their personalities. There is even art of the D&D group, unfinished figurines, D&D books, and character sheets! We can really see the main character being comfortable with these people and how important they are to her. There is also so much life and color to this apartment, especially with the pig, as opposed to the next one.

Another three years pass, and this time we move into a bland and almost colorless apartment. We move our main character in with her boyfriend, yet many of our things are unable to find a place and must be hidden away. Her diploma is even hidden under the bed of all things! This goes to show how inconsiderate he is with her and how unwilling he is to bring her into his life. The pig that has followed us dutifully even looks duller here. All of her stuff looks like it has lost its color, showing how the relationship brings no joy into her life.

In two years, we see her move out and back in with her parents. Things are more colorful now, but the pig has a hole in its stomach. There is even some color back, showing her growth that is still to come. We also see that the light is shining through the window, signifying a new start. There are new photos of her friend group being shown too as we pin them up. There’s even a dig at the ex when you put up his photo—a red pin in his face—and you must put the photo in the cabinet.

A few months later, she finds a new place, moving her into her own apartment. There may not be much in her apartment yet, but we get to learn even more about her. There is a Menorah now in her window; we also see her pig has been fixed and is a brighter pink! She has also traveled even more since we last saw her landmark figures. She has grown more and is healing from the breakup now.

Three years pass again, and this time we are moving someone else into her apartment. At first we don’t know who it is, just that this person loves plants and monster movies. Once we get to the bedroom, though, we are able to see that we are moving her girlfriend in. We also now have more storage and furniture, showing she has finally fully moved in and calls it her home. We also see a new poster and artwork in the apartment, clearly on things she has been working on for her job. We also get to put a new tiger plush next to the pig, signifying a healthy relationship.

In the last move of the game, we see that they have become family. A little one is on the way, and they have given over their childhood stuffed animals to the next generation. Players will also notice how in the main character’s office there is a poster for the book she wrote and a new first prize bow. There are also many copies of this book hidden away, most likely for her to sign. We also see a new glass trophy, most likely from working on the AntiHero series. They have become successful and are ready to start the newest chapter of their lives.

Though I may have told the story, the only reason I was able to was because of the items and the story they told. The pig is a massive part of every move, following her through childhood and being passed down to the next generation. This just goes to show that a story does not need to be told through narrative alone, and how sometimes the items we take with us through life can tell you just as much about a person’s life as their wrds.