So, I’ve been meaning to share this for a while. You know how things can get a bit… samey? Work, home, telly, repeat. I wasn’t exactly Mr. Social Butterfly, let me tell you. I’d see folks around, but, you know, actually talking to new people? Felt like a mountain to climb sometimes.
I’d been playing Pokemon Go on and off since it came out. Mostly a solo thing. Walk around, catch a few, spin some stops. Pretty standard stuff. Never really thought of it as a way to, like, actually meet people.
How it Started to Change
Then one day, I think it was a Community Day, or maybe one of those big raid events. There was this Legendary Pokemon everyone wanted. I headed down to the park, and the place was heaving with people, all staring at their phones. Usually, I’d just kinda lurk on the edges, do my thing, and leave.
But this time, this one raid, my phone glitched or something, or maybe I was just slow on the uptake. I was fumbling, and this group nearby, they were about to start. One of ’em just kinda looked over and said, “You joining this one? We could use another.” Just like that. Wasn’t a big deal to them, but for me, it was like, “Oh. Okay.” I was a bit surprised, to be honest.
So I mumbled a “yeah, sure” and tapped in. We beat the raid. I even caught the Pokemon, which was a bonus. And then… we actually chatted for a bit. About the game, mostly. Which Pokemon were good, where the best spots were. Basic stuff, but it felt, I dunno, different.
That little interaction kinda flipped a switch in my head. I started being a bit more… present, I guess? If I saw a group battling a gym, I’d wander over. Sometimes I’d just listen in, other times I’d chip in if they were discussing strategies or complaining about how tough the raid boss was.
I also heard whispers about some local online groups. Not the big, official things, more like little chat groups for people playing in my area. Someone mentioned one during a raid, just casually, “Oh, we’re coordinating on the town group.” Took me a week to actually look for it and join, mind you. Still a bit hesitant, you know how it is!
- Started actually saying “hi” to familiar faces I’d see repeatedly at Pokestops.
- Joined more group raids, even if I didn’t know anyone at first. Just jumped in.
- Shared tips on rare spawns I’d seen, like “Hey, there’s a Snorlax over by the post office!” Little things.
From Players to Pals
And you know what? It worked. Slowly, but surely. Those raid groups turned into familiar faces. Familiar faces turned into actual names. We started coordinating raids more actively, “Anyone free for a T5 at the library gym in 10?” That kind of thing. It became less about just my game and more about a team effort.
Then it wasn’t just about Pokemon Go. We’d be waiting for a raid to start, and someone would mention a new cafe that opened, or a movie they saw. We’d grab a coffee after a particularly long Community Day, feet aching but happy. Just… normal friend stuff, really. It sort of grew organically from the game.
There’s a core group of us now. We still play Pokemon Go, sure. But we also do other things. We’ve had BBQs in the summer. Someone had a birthday, we all went out for a meal. It’s pretty wild to think it all started because of a game on my phone, a game I mostly played by myself for years.
It wasn’t instant magic, mind you. There were plenty of times I just stood around awkwardly, feeling a bit out of place. Plenty of “hi”s that didn’t lead anywhere beyond a polite nod. But I kept at it, just being open to it and trying not to overthink it. And honestly, most Pokemon Go players are pretty chill. Everyone’s there for the same reason, at least initially, so you’ve already got something in common.
So yeah, that’s my story. From walking around solo, head down in my phone, to actually having a new bunch of mates. If you’re playing and feeling a bit disconnected, or just want to meet some new folks in your area, maybe give it a go. Just show up to where other players are, especially during events. You don’t even have to say much at first. Sometimes just being there is enough for an opportunity to pop up.
It’s funny, I never thought a game about catching cartoon monsters would be my route to new friendships, but here we are. Definitely got me out of my shell, and out of the house, a lot more. Worth it, I’d say. A simple little change that made a big difference for me.
