The Two Faces of My Return

As in past years, on September 5, I discuss my return to playing Pokémon Go, which happened eight years ago (see below) and incidentally in the first year I started this blog. I've discussed a few aspects related to this matter since then, some less personal and others more personal. This year, I've decided to take the latter route and discuss an aspect that is very personal, especially given what has happened over the course of this year and my relations with certain other Trainers who play the game.

Basically, my return to playing Pokémon Go has exposed me to two different sides or "faces" of those other Trainers. One of those "faces" is the relations with good Trainers, ones who may be as passionate for other Pokémon things as I am and are supportive of each other. The other "face" is ones who are less stellar in that regard to the point of being snobbish and derisive toward others, no matter how great their progress may be. Given others' sentiments, I may not be alone in this regard - but I can offer my views.

I'm happy that my return allowed me to meet the former group of people, which was the case the first time I met one such person and now recently with a faraway group that I've only met for the first time. This kind of experience can be considered to be the "foundation" of my return as it should be for others, becoming a motivation for those who might decide to return today as I had back then. Certainly, this also needs to be facilitated by existing Trainers and be the sole best "face" of any return effort. 

On the other hand, I'm also slightly disappointed that my return efforts have resulted in that other "face". Yet at the same time, I couldn't have possibly foreseen such an outcome for my return efforts, so I can only take it in stride. The best (and the least) thing I can do is to turn away as much as possible - especially since the Trainers involved might be difficult to change - and to stay on the good side of things, to consider that I am also presenting that "face" to other potentially returning Trainers.

These two "faces" will likely remain part of my Pokémon Go experience after having returned so many years ago as the personal choice that I made, not to mention for being able to furnish experiences and information about the game on this blog. With the way that the "faces" relate to other people and how they too might have the same experiences, it can also be considered "interpersonal" in a number of ways as well. In either case, it's the return effort that remains important, if this and other discussions are of any indication.

One year ago: Wishing Others' Return

Two years ago: Point of (No) Return?

Three years ago: Return Back, Return Forward

Four years ago: Returns in Various Guises

Five years ago: Returns Come and Go

Six years ago: Return, Return, Return, Return...

Seven years ago: A Happy Return

Eight years ago: Here I Go (Again)