When I first joined runescape. I never knew how into it I would ever become. I have been playing for a few years now. Or at least long enough where I have an Easter ring. I am a member and I think a level 54. Most people are above me in level. But that is only because when they spent all their time fighting and skilling in combat. I was cooking and crafting and making money.
I remember what it was like being a non-member. It was tough. Because back then I couldn't even afford the 5 dollar member fee thing. I spent most of my time in non-members worlds cooking I did that and today I am around a level 49 in cooking. It was hard being a non-member, the small banks and the 1/4th of a world space.
I once got scammed 10k when I was a nooblet I don't remember how all I do remember is crying in real life and screaming to anyone who passed by in the game to report the scammer. But even though that seems like not a lot as a member 10k is like 1 million in member's world.
I took a year and a half break from runescape. During this time most people gained levels and a lot of them too! I came back to find a much more updated runescape.
I also remember when I was in non members world wanting to explore. I would not bring out a map but I would go and look for stuff anything at all that interested me. That was how I memorized the non-members side of runescape.
When I was a non-member I would do anything for coins. I would sell colored capes for 150 coins each. I would have a taxi service where I would charge people 100 coins per trip to walk to places in the non-members world like lumbridge to varrock.
I also remember when I was not a member how I would be absolutely amazed by people who were over level 100 they were just like omg to us.
I became a member just about a week after they made construction a skill. Because owning a house on runescape amazed me and I really wanted more from runescape. I wanted more to cook and more to explore but owning a house on runescape really made me decide it was time to join members.