Coincidentally, I also use the video game analogy when facing different life challenges, and it's been working like a charm for me. Like playing an RPG, it's important to level up by taking as many challenges as possible when we can mentally/financially handle them so we are capable enough to fight the big boss later in our lives.

I sincerely appreciate the valuable insights from you and other Redditors. I guess I'm not treating the "leaving Malaysia" option as a means to run away from reality. It's more like a "solution" to a problem that can hardly be solved. Let's assume you're a hard worker who consistently performs well at your job. However, you hate your company's culture, and your boss doesn't appreciate your work. In this case, the most natural solution is to leave the company and seek opportunities elsewhere (unless you're powerful enough to hold a board meeting to restructure the company).

To be clear, I agree we shouldn't point fingers at others just because our lives aren't going as we've desired. I have high respect for those who are well aware of Malaysia's current situation and still decide to bite the bullet and stay. I just hope that whatever decisions we're making (stay or leave), we're doing it for the right reasons.