Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tyler Selee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Tyler, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose was a long and winding journey, all told. For a lot of my early and mid twenties, I found myself wandering and living day-to-day. I struggled with a drinking problem and untreated mental illness for a few years, and the process of working to fully address my struggles would not be realized until I was nearly thirty.
When I was 23, my father passed away while at his job. Four months later, my mother took her own life, and six months after that a friend of mine passed from an overdose. Needless to say, the 2013-2014 time period was very difficult. I fell into what I jokingly refer to as my ‘quarter life crisis.’ My father died at 48 and I was 23; he died at a job he hated surrounded by coworkers he couldn’t stand and I was struggling with my own job. But I remember being at his modest memorial and hearing the wonderful things that others had to say, and I thought to myself “if this is what my memorial looks like, I can be happy.”
I ended up moving to Idaho for a few years, taking the money from his life insurance to buy a house and start a new chapter, thinking the affordability of a place that wasn’t California might offer me less stress and a chance to find myself. I did end up finding the man that would be my husband (now ex husband), but little else kept me there. However, I did begin finally addressing my depression and anxiety that had haunted me since middle school.
After four years in Idaho, I realized that I couldn’t live a life so removed from the found family I had built over the years. I came back and reconnected with everyone that I missed terribly and jumped back into my old job. But something gnawed at the back of my brain; I still wasn’t doing what I was meant to.
COVID hit hard, and the isolation was difficult. The political events were disheartening and my mental health was strained. However, as I sat at home, overworked and stressed and depressed and at my limit, I had a thought; why don’t I try working for myself? I’ve always wanted to own a game store, and I still had the means to do so as I owned my home outright and could mortgage it to get started.
But as the years had gone by, my dream of owning a game store had evolved from just a teenager’s dream of being a cool nerd to something else; I wanted to provide a space for people. I wanted to create an environment for those that didn’t feel welcome or safe in other gaming spaces. Thus, Elysium was born.
Over the past three years, I have been pushed to my limit as well as rewarded with friendships that bring infinite joy to my life. Through the creation of the space and the establishing of so many more relationships, my life was growing in nourishment and support. In spite of a mental hospital stay and several breakdowns, I am more optimistic and joyous than ever before. After several heartfelt moments with some of these people, my final evolution in my purpose was made clear; supporting others.
My home has an open door policy to those that I love; come by any time for any reason and I will be there. I’ve helped others through difficult times, I’ve been a shoulder to cry on, and I’ve been a port in a storm. When it is all distilled down to it’s purest essence; my purpose is to use the privilege and opportunities I’ve been given to help those that need it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Recently, I have reentered the work force to take the strain of supporting me off of Elysium. It has helped considerably, though each month is a struggle. Game stores are a hard thing to keep going nowadays, so it is very much a labor of love for me and everyone else on the team.
Work itself has been easy enough to fall back into. I’ve worked in logistics on and off for the better part of fifteen years. I joke that it’s a ‘family business’ as my father had been in logistics since before I was born. And I’ve been fortunate enough to return to my previous place of employment that I’ve already racked up eight years at. My new position involves project management, sales meetings, proposals, major bids, etc.
Currently, I’m pursuing a renewed interest in theatre. After jumping back in last year (after not being involved with the hobby for about fifteen years), I have since joined a theatre’s company, have now had a play I’ve written be selected to perform, and am directing said play. The creative outlet has been a welcome addition to my life, and helps alleviate stress and business management.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Communication – Communicating properly is priceless. Regardless of who you are working with, be it employees, coworkers, or customers, getting your point across and being open and honest with people is a skill that has helped me tremendously in my journey through Elysium, my career, and personal relationships.
A huge way to improve this is to listen to others and notice how they communicate. Is it effective? Are you receptive to it? Would other people be? How could you improve it, or improve yourself to match it?
Problem Solving/Critical Thinking – This has been integral to managing the shop and succeeding in my logistics career. With the shop, problem solving is needed for dealing with product shortages, unexpected bills, employee or customer conflicts, and many other situations. Practice makes perfect with this, as does taking time to really think through all of your options. Approach each issue, even the run-of-the mill ones, with some extra time and care.
Empathy – The puzzle I’ve had in my brain for years – how to teach empathy. I’m not sure how to do it, but to me it is one of the most important qualities a human being can have. You should feel for your fellow human and understand their emotions and want to help them and make them happy. This has helped me manage employees, make connections in business, and maintain friendships and relationships,
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Making space for myself and my own happiness.
I have often struggled with maintaining boundaries – I give a lot to others and often do so at the expense of my own well-being, which is also not fair to others when I cannot make my commitments.
This year has been one if immense growth and self-discovery, and I used the phrase with someone that I finally feel like I’m ‘out of beta.’
I’ve taken time for myself, pursued personal interests, stood up for myself, and removed toxicity and negativity where I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elysiumcag.com
- Instagram: @elysiumcag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElysiumCaG/
- Other: I would also like to share the information for the theatre I am a part if, if possible.
https://www.facebook.com/bigideatheatre/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
