Can I progress in storyline without doing dungeons?

[Axiom]

Not everyone enjoys doing dungeons, I definitely don't, especially when I have to take hours out of my day just to find a duty for one.

So now I get to a point in the story where I have to be a certain item level to do a dungeon, which requires me to constantly grind dungeons to get mythology.
Have Square Enix considered that not everyone enjoys that endless grind and some just want to chill out and enjoy the story? It's upsetting that I am now being told I have to change how I play games.

Is there an alternative for players like me? Thanks.
I don't want to have to switch to another MMO that isn't about grinding and dungeons, because no other online game has such a beautiful sense of adventure and atmosphere as A Realm Reborn does.
But do I even have a choice? This game seems to be built for one kind of gamer only. Surely they would make more money if it's fun for everyone?

Why can't the main storyline just give you the right gear to progress? Then if you want to work hard for better stuff you can.