Ishtar’s Personal Growth Journey
I’ve been a gamer for most of my life. From growing up in a small town in northeastern US to now moving to one of the most crowded cities across the globe, games have always been a core part of how I connect with others and how I understand the world around me.
It's kind of like the typical RPG character who left their small town to go on a big adventure in a foreign land, which for me is Tokyo, Japan.
I struggled a lot coming to Japan. I had to learn the language, earn a degree, and find a job while navigating how to live in a completely foreign environment. On top of that, I'm relatively shy and struggle to meet new people. Honestly, it has been a journey of several years of struggling, making some progress but then find countless more challenges.
I've grown a lot. Sometimes it's hard to recognize how far you've progressed in something.
But…
Have you heard of the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, with an expanded free trial which you can play through the entirety of A Realm Reborn and the award-winning Stormblood expansion up to level 70 for free?
You too can experience the journey of a lifetime and grow from a simple adventurer to hero of Eorzea, the Star, and far far beyond!
Adventurer Life
Like starting any adventurer or learning a new skill, one must start somewhere. To get good at something, one must first be bad.
A humble mindset!
When I first picked up Final Fantasy XIV, it became an amazing outlet to stay connected with my brother, who still lives in the US. The two of us dove into Eorzea together, fighting primals, dragons, samurai golf club wielding psychos, and ugly crying through countless hours of main scenario quests. But despite all that, I never interacted with anyone else in the game.
No Free Companies. No roleplay. No community events. Definitely no AFK'ing around in Limsa Lominsa.
The idea of putting myself out there online, even in a game, felt like a huge wall I couldn't climb.
Rising to the Occasion
It’s actually so inspiring to see how your character naturally evolves from a simple adventurer doing mundane tasks to help people in need, to then fighting to save entire nations, peoples, etc.
Loneliness Amongst the Crowd
Despite going on this hero’s journey and becoming the famous Warrior of Light, I only interacted with my brother for the most part. We played together in this massive-multiplayer online game, but in relative isolation.
Tokyo can be isolating as well.
Despite living amongst several millions, it takes active effort to make genuine connections.
That all changed when my brother joined a Free Company called Kraken’s Call, led by a super energetic and inspiring content creator, Heather.
Her excitement was and is contagious. I took a leap and joined too. That one small step completely changed how I experience FFXIV, and honestly, how I experience my personal life too.
For the first time ever, I started talking to people in an online game.
Not just typing a quick “hello,” but meeting up at the FC house, playing content together and attending member led events really made it feel special.
The community—especially through the HJP Discord—was unbelievably welcoming, kind, and full of good energy. It made it easy to feel like I belonged.
I remember being so shy and nervous approaching Kraken’s Call for the first time.
Heather (Oliver Benley) was standing outside the FC house with several other plays, and she was so happy to welcome me to the FC.
Since joining, I’ve done things I never imagined I’d be brave enough to do:
Despite living across the globe, me and my brother got houses in game and are neighbors!
I’ve gotten to really know so many cool people that I would never have had the chance to otherwise!
People are from all over the world, different vocations, different interests, etc. But we are all united as gamers who believe in the vision of HeatherJustPlay.
Joined a raid static, the Buckaneers, and cleared my first two Savage fights! Before I never considered playing because I always heard that raiding is too hardcore, a huge commitment, and with total strangers.
But really, thanks to Marky Mark and Buck Haus for their really great leadership and mission to raise total raiding newbies to ultimate legends, I have improved so much as a player and have gotten to know amazing people.
Won a pirate-themed fashion contest (still not over that!)
Attended my first community-organized event, the Cherry Blossom Festival!
/danced, /laughed, /visaged and explored with people from all over the world
Looking back, I realize how much I’ve grown—not just as a gamer, but as a person. I’ve gone from enjoying simply existing around others in an MMO to stepping into the a real social space, and experiencing so many things with awesome people I once would’ve been too shy to meet otherwise.
If you're someone who lurks quietly on the edge of a community, afraid to speak up or reach out, I want to say this: there’s space for you. There are people waiting to welcome you just as you are. I found mine in Kraken’s Call and the HJP community—and I’m so grateful I did.
Despite living so geographically far from (most of) the other members of HJP and living the busy Tokyo working life (salaryman life lol), it has been so awesome being part of this online community.
HJP promotes "Personal Growth Through Play" and it absolutely resonates with me. I’ve been trying to be more active in my daily life too and trying new things. I’ve been bouldering, trying new specialty restaurants, and even a 2-day Manga Workshop!
Here’s to many more adventures, glamours, and growth.
