Pokémon. It’s become big news lately with the release of Pokémon GO and there have been a lot of interesting stories popping up. I decided I’d chime in with some of my thoughts on Pokémon, as it is something that has been very important to me for a long time. So here’s my story, and how Pokémon is improving my life even today.

We really have to start from the beginning, some 18 years ago or so, when Pokémon really kicked off here. I’ve always been a bit different to most other people (I recently discovered that I'm on the autistic spectrum) and I’ve never really been interested in, nor felt the need to do things that other people my age were doing. I didn’t really have friends or go out as a child. When Pokémon came around, it was an instant hit for me. I loved it. I was obsessed with it.

This was a pretty big thing since very little really kept me interested. My entire world became Pokémon - I watched the show, collected the cards, played the games, wanted merchandise...everything! So that’s how it all started.

Pokémon has had an enormous impact on my life, for the better, and has been the single most consistent interest since I was a child. I’ve never stopped playing it and loving it - and I’m now 26. Without Pokémon in my life, things could’ve been very different, and by different I mean worse. I’m not exactly the most functioning adult, but Pokémon has got me through some very tough times as a form of both joy and escapism. If I hadn’t had that, I wonder if I would’ve even pulled through some of my troubles. 

Collecting Pokémon, for me, is a wonderful thing. It appeals to the obsessive collector in me and as such, I have achieved what many don’t - I have completed every region’s Pokédex so far. In my Pokémon Bank, I have at least one of every single Pokémon (except Volcanion), and also all forms and major gender differences. Here is a quick vid of my Bank Pokédex! Yes - I am truly a Pokémon Master, haha. 

Anyway, as you can probably see, Pokémon can be a lot more than ‘just a game’ and it is certainly not just for kids. It has brought much joy to my life, will continue to do so, and will always have a special place in my life. It can be therapeutic and bring a world of wonder to someone, and best of all, Pokémon doesn’t discriminate. It can change a life; it has for me.

It’s bewildering that people think only children can enjoy Pokémon - and quite ridiculous to berate those that get enjoyment from it. Young people may be a target demographic, but that doesn’t mean it is exclusive! There’s no age limit on fun.

So to those that ridicule we older Pokémon fans - it’s you that I pity, for you are severely lacking in perspective. Pokémon can be many things to many different people. Who are you to judge? A nobody, that’s who!

Moving on, I’d like to discuss how Pokémon is improving my life today. You may have noticed that a thing called Pokémon GO recently released. This app sees you going outside to find Pokémon in the real world, using GPS. For many people, this is a dream turned reality. It’s no substitute for the main games (and I wouldn’t want it to be), but it is still an incredible thing. Why? Well…

As I said, I’m not the most functional adult and as such, I don’t go out that much, I rarely socialise and I have a lot of anxieties. With Pokémon GO however, I have started to venture into the outside world in search of Pokémon. I’ve walked quite a bit this last week and felt good doing it. I feel liberated. I feel like it’s helping me to take control of my life, rather than be controlled by it. This is an incredible thing and should not be dismissed so easily. 

I truly believe that Pokémon GO can be an extremely powerful motivator and therapy app for people like me. I’m not focusing on my anxieties and fears as much; I’m focusing on finding Pokémon and hatching my eggs! Obviously it’s still very difficult going out when you have so much stress and anxiety in your life, but Pokémon GO is helping me make huge progress already. It’s not just me either! Over this last week, I have read many, many stories about people just like me feeling exactly the same! The power of Pokémon GO is remarkable. 

So, that’s my story. Pokémon can be a remarkable thing. It can be something truly special to a lot of people, of all ages! Anyone can delight in the wonders of Pokémon, and to a lot of us, it is more than just a game. Pokémon is life.

Oh and don't be a hater, k? That just tells us how hollow your life is.