Did you select pause whenever your ATB is full?
Aw... Hope you don't mind replaying the game. It seems like you haven't used strategies much. Brute-force it all the way through, eh? Not bad!
But I think using strategies will give you different experiences. Understanding their skills is the key, I think. Sometimes fighters are the stars. Sometimes they have to take the backseat and support mages. They all gain TP when they get hit. Fighters gain TP more when they attack physically. Mages gain TP also when they do magical damage. Healers gain TP a lot through healing too (Sulla, Celemir). It all depends on their classes. There should be enough items to support you till you find a village. Look in the holes on the ground or pick fruit off the trees or vines, if there's any.
