When I was watching Scott’s Thoughts YouTube video on Vespiquen in a Pokemon Platinum solo run, he said something interesting. He was talking about how we need to save the bees, which I entirely agree with. But for those saying that such a discussion doesn’t belong in a Pokemon video, his response is that these games are all about people coexisting with the natural world. 

This got me thinking about a new direction for rewriting my old Pokemon articles. I’d considered toying with the “Philosophy of Pokemon” in mind, but more when it came to game design philosophy than natural philosophy. However, it seems that Scott gave me an even better idea. What can we learn from Pokemon that we can apply to our daily lives, beyond the inherent math, obviously?

Indeed, Pokémon has always been about how we interact with the world and each other, not just catching critters and steamrolling gym leaders. I realized, I may be sitting on a treasure trove with this idea. So, here are ten points I came up with for life lessons the Pokemon world can teach us.

1. Coexistence, Not Domination

The core gameplay of Pokémon promotes partnership over conquest. You don’t “own” Pokémon—you befriend, train, and grow with them. Apply that to real life, and suddenly relationships (with people, pets, projects, or even land) feel less like tools and more like collaborations. We need to think more about reciprocity, not just resource extraction.

2. Growth Has Phases

Every Pokémon evolves in its own time—and some never evolve at all (looking at you, Pachirisu, icon of defiant cuteness). That’s a damn powerful metaphor for how we grow. Life isn’t linear or even fair. Some of us bloom late, or sideways, or never get the EXP we deserve—but we can still work our way into the party and still be valuable.

3. Team Composition Matters

Pokemon games punish you for only using your starter, and although it’s doable, you are pushed towards balanced teams. Balanced typing across your six mons equals better synergy, which further equals greater adaptability. The Life lesson here is that you need different kinds of support—intellectual, emotional, logistical. You’re not weak for needing help. You’re approaching life strategically. Life can be a solo run, but it’s not often going to be very fun. Although solo run challenges are still quite fun to watch.

4. There’s a Limit to What You Can Carry

Your team has always been six Pokémon max. Although I’m glad they got rid of bag item overflows. PC storage exists for a reason. The game teaches boundary-setting for our personal inventory—whether it be physical, emotional, or energetic. You can’t carry it all, and that’s not failure. That’s game design. Apply that to burnout culture and watch the healing begin.

5. Even the Weakest Can Win

Magikarp, Shedinja, and Ditto may be weak stat wise and movepool wise, but they are still Legends of the Pokemon franchise. They’re reminders that even seemingly useless beings have a niche. Magikarp becomes Gyarados. Shedninja’s Wonder Guard makes it immune to many types of attacks. Ditto can transform into just the right opposing Pokemon and create a mirror match in your favor. As the metagame inevitably shifts, the heart of the message doesn’t: underestimated doesn’t mean unworthy. You just need the right context or the right T.M. (that is, education, self-taught preferably).

6. Every Region Has a Vibe

Kanto has nostalgia. Sinnoh has ancient myths. Galar is all about showmanship. The world changes, and so do the rules. Adapting without losing your essence? That’s an art. The more you explore, the more you see how culture shapes identity—something even our real-world selves struggle to grasp.

7. Grinding Sucks but Builds Grit

The grind is real in Pokemon. EV training, Mint farming, Shiny hunting, raising friendship with bitter herbs and long walks. In daily life, that’s waking up, brushing your teeth, setting your boundaries. The work isn’t glamorous. But it’s what lets you survive Victory Road and ultimately your run at the Elite Four and Champion. Never mind the Battle Stadium!

8. Communication > Control

Think about how many Pokémon refuse to obey if your badge count is too low. You can’t force loyalty. Respect is earned, not demanded. That’s true for Pokémon and people. Starting in the older games, it was a mechanic to keep you from simply cheating by trading over a high-level Pokemon from another game and ripping through it. The obedience mechanic has changed a bit more recently, but the idea is the same; you need to earn your monsters’ affection and trust.

9. You Reflect Your Rivals

Whether it’s Blue, Silver, N, Hop, or Nemona—your rivals shape your growth. They challenge your assumptions, force new strategies, and sometimes even call you out. A healthy rivalry isn’t about beating someone to a pulp constantly. It’s about becoming your sharpest self in their presence. (And even Hop can become a challenge in Sword and Shield.)

10. The World Isn’t Always Fair, But You Still Have Agency

Think of the stories behind certain Pokémon—Cubone’s grief, Type: Null’s trauma, Mimikyu’s longing. These creatures carry heavy backstories, yet still fight, still love, still seek connection. Your past doesn’t invalidate your power. It can be the source of it.

I could easily turn these into a series of micro-essays or definition riffs, Perhaps I could toss in a few quotes, a little headcanon, maybe some character analysis. But I also want to go into various Pokemon species and break down the philosophy and aesthetics for each evolution line. It’s a major shift from my competitive-focused Pokemon articles of the past, but I think it needs to be done to make them not just more evergreen, but more useful for all of us. Look forward to more Pokemon-related content in the future.