A YEAR IN THE LIFE, A RETROSPECTIVE.

     This is my story a year in the life in Neopia! The ups, the downs, and the things I have learned. I wanted to share my experience with other Neopians, especially new members who are overwhelmed with all there is to do in Neopia. So, here it is! Are you ready? Okay... Let's go!

     The more time you spend in Neopia, the more you will enjoy it. The life you lead here is all about incremental change, and long term success. Things don’t happen overnight in Neopia, you have to put in hard work to get the most out of your life here. The hard work isn’t really work though – it’s fun! Isn’t it? Then why are you in Neopia?! Anyway… Neopia can be an overwhelming place, with things to do jam packed in every corner of the world! So, what has a year of living in Neopia taught me? LOTS! Here are five things I know now I wish I knew when I moved to Neopia!

     1. Take your time! Neopia is all about slowly building the life you want, and the direction of it entirely depends on you! New residents often try to do too much, and end up getting nothing done! Try to focus on one thing at a time – have a game you really love to play? Why not set a goal to get a trophy in that game? Maybe that will unlock an avatar! You’d be so surprised at how much things are connected in Neopia, and it often feels like a natural progression as your interests and goals in Neopia grow and change! Neopia is about doing what you enjoy doing, so take your time! Nothing is going anywhere!

     2. Engage with your fellow Neopians! When I moved to Neopia, I had no idea how to meet and connect with my fellow Neopians. The Neoboards seemed so confusing, and guilds inaccessible! The best way to get involved in the Nepean community is to just dive in like you do into the Symol hole! Make a post, introduce yourself – tell everyone your interests and goals in Neopia. Tell them how you spend your time, and listen to the advice of Neopian Elders! This is the best way to learn about all Neopia has to offer! Listening to other member’s stories of success, triumph, failures, and resiliency made me realize all my Neopian dreams are possible, and gave me some amazing tips on how to get there! I hadn’t visited the Secret Laboratory Ray until my account was over a year old, because I didn’t know it existed until I found out about it via the boards. One of the best things about Neopia is the lasting friendships you can experience. Filling up your Neomail inbox will also get you a great avatar? See what I mean?!

     3. Learn the Neopian Economy! The economy in Neopia is large, expansive, and intricate! Shops, the trading post, auctions, and the stock market are the main economic forces in Neopia. They all work very differently, but can all be utilized to make Neopoints to get that paint brush you’ve been eyeing! One of the most popular ways of making Neopoints in Neopia is to restock your shop with items bought at shops around Neopia, and sell them at a higher price to make a profit. Keep in mind that you and your fellow Neopian shop owners can only sell things for up to and including 99,999 Neopoints! Once you make over that, you can make offers at the trading post or bid on actions of higher value to turn an even bigger profit! That paint brush is closer than you think! The stock market is perhaps the most complex part of the Neopian economy, but this also makes it the most fun! There is a real strategy to making Neopoints through the stock market, and the best way to learn is to dive in and start seeing which stocks will work for you! The world is your buffet in Neopia, and you will eat until your stuffed!

     4. Find the Secret Laboratory! There are many different secret treasure maps for you to collect in Neopia, but none are as fun as the Secret Laboratory! I waited long into my Neopian journey until I found all the map pieces, and instantly wish I had it sooner! At the Secret Lab, there is a lab ray that will zap your pets! Although some bad things can happen by using the lab ray, you and your Neopost will not be harmed! The lab ray can do things like change the level of your pet, give it more hit points, strength, defense, and other statistics, but… It can also completely change your pet’s appearance without the need for that shiny paint brush that you can only use once. You can go to the Secret Lab every day and zap a pet for a chance to transform it and give it a rare appearance! In fact, the lab ray is the only way to get your pets certain colors! Want a Mallow Mynci? How about a Garlic Kiko? The possibilities are endless! But beware... your Neopet could turn into a monster that you don’t like! Keep in mind that if this does happen, you can just zap that pet every day until it changes appearance again! The opportunities are endless – the Secret Laboratory is the gift that keeps on giving!

     5. Have fun! Your time in Neopia is not meant to be stressful, so have a good time! There are many hilarious Neopians living right next door! Don’t get bogged down with all there is to do, and never forget the purpose of all there is to do around Neopia... To have fun! Yes, things can happen that get you down – like the Pant Devil stealing a precious item, the Lever of Doom taking hundreds of your Neopoints while you try to get that avatar! Your life in Neopia will balance out, and it is just a matter of learning from your experiences to improve your life here! And put those precious items in your Safety Deposit Box so that pesky Pant Devil can’t steal them! I wish I didn’t have to learn that lesson the hard way!

     There you have it folks! These are the major things I have learned a year in the life of Neopia from my experience. It’s been such a fun journey and I can’t wait to see what happens next! Happy exploring!