Pokemon Go - The Subtle Reminder

It has been one month plus since the launch of the mobile game of the year (years perhaps?). Almost everyone (indeed almost) are playing or have played the game.

Some has reached remarkable achievements by completing their Pokedex. Some have leveled up close to the max of level 40. Some have strong Pokemons for taking down gyms and also boasting rights.

Me? Somewhere in the middle. Playing diligently. But not crazily (I think?)

I only came upon this realization days back. I used to feel not being lucky and not having the luxurious amount of time to "chiong" (that means rush) the game, getting cooler pokemon and leveling up fast. Of course seeing other people bragging while you have nothing to brag is indeed a bit "emo".

But I slowly came to realize that what happens in the game is somehow a reflection or image of life. There are crazy players. There are normal players. There are those who have quit the games. And then there's the silent grinders like me.

The game is indeed about catching all the pokemon there is to complete your Pokedex. But it does not say by when you need to do it. By when you is entirely up to your own jurisdictions and comfort. It was by then I realized that I have been playing moderately, and the game actually gave me more initiative to make runs and exercise. In a nutshell the game actually benefited me in reality. I am proud to say that nothing was neglected during this one month. I run, eat, exercise and worked as per normal, balancing my play time and serious time.

The game is also about getting the strongest pokemons for gym fights and bragging rights. But that doesn't mean that the normal ones that you see day in day out every time you log on has no impact at all. Most people are so focused on the main goals that they forget the small small joys of completing the achievement segments of the game. That includes catching record numbers of CP10 Rattatas and XL size Magikarps.

Big goals and targets can be overwhelming. To feed our confidence and to grow strong one must have multiple small goals, where achieving it brings you a step closer to your dreams. Catching every Rattata or Pidgey that you come across does sound boring and mundane. I think we find having a strict schedule of daily reading and exercising somewhat similar to that. But we cannot deny that these are the small small things that in the end add up, making a big difference in your life.