Op speaks the truth....

This is FF... we shouldnt even be aware of our experience bar.... the story is supposed to be SOOO GOOOD... that our character needs to progress ACORDING to that story...

The way the game is designed (in a BAD and AWFUL way) is that you grind->you level up-> you have a small part of the story.

It should be:
You do the story -> you level up -> you have more story -> you level up