Before Epal
My name is Nisarides, I’m 23 years old and from Netherland. I studied bakery in college. I love being outdoors out in nature, gardening is a passion of mine and I’ve done summer jobs at seed farms, where we developed pest-resistant varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, and more.
My life before Epal was a lot of gaming, mostly minecraft or other silly games. Living alone in my studio apartment while studying left me feeling incredibly isolated, so I set out to find a platform to connect with more people to play VRChat with. Then I stumbled across this platform, and I fell in love with it instantly. It’s a space for so many different people—some dive into first-person shooters, others love adventure games, RPGs, and more—and I adore the incredible diversity here. No matter what you’re into, everyone can find someone they click with.
【My cozy apartment】
Join Epal
I joined Epal on August 28, 2022 — my 20th birthday. At first, all I wanted was to chat and play games with others. Sometimes people would even tip me out of kindness. But as school kept me busy, I would only pop in occasionally—either to talk with others or simply be online while lying in bed, lost in overwhelming thoughts.
After graduating as a baker, life picked up an even faster pace. My new job was far from home, and even though I tried my best to log into Epal once a week, it became hard to keep up. Before long, the job wore me down mentally and emotionally. I even asked my boss if I could be paid a little more to help cover my work-related expenses, but he was unyielding—and everything only grew more difficult from there. Eventually, I was let go. I had to pack up all my belongings and leave abruptly—even though I’d been staying overnight at work or at my uncle because of the long commute and ungodly hours I had to work.
After that, it took me a while to feel normal again, but that’s when I returned to Epal more consistently. This time, I began to forge real, meaningful connections—with people who truly listened, who held space for every word I had to say.
After Epal
In many ways, I felt more heard here than I ever did at my previous job—and for that, I’m grateful to the good side of Epal. Over time, I’ve met both good and not-so-good people on this platform. The good ones have left me with fond memories and have helped me—and others—grow more confident.
Lumi, whom I still keep in touch with, shared his story of being in the military, losing his closest friends, and the struggles that came with that. I’m deeply grateful to have met him and learned his story; it helped him feel seen as more than just a weapon, and it inspired me too.
Wyatt, thank you for all the times you were there when I felt lonely— making me laugh, and sharing fun game sessions with me, and even showing me that some people are just toxic and we can’t always change them,
I am immensely grateful to Epal. It has given me a space to connect, heal, and grow with people who truly see me. Because of everything I’ve experienced, I value genuine connections more than anything—and I try to bring kindness, laughter, and support into every session I share here. If you decide to play or chat with me, know that I’ll always listen, always try to make things fun, and always be someone you can feel comfortable around.
【Me joining the weekly events】
Nisarides E-Pal Links：https://www.epal.gg/@1522883336
E-Pal blog 