avatarBrett Jenae Tomlin

Summary

Brett Jenae Tomlin expresses gratitude for her experiences and growth on Medium, highlighting community, personal development, and the platform's unique features as reasons to continue engaging with the site.

Abstract

Brett Jenae Tomlin, also known as "The Anxious Enthusiast," shares her appreciation for Medium, emphasizing the value of community support, the enjoyment of writing games like "This or That," and the satisfaction of earning money from her writing. She acknowledges the personal growth she has experienced through finding her authentic voice and engaging with diverse perspectives. Tomlin also points out the importance of having a platform to express herself freely, the ability to set her own schedule, and the inspiration she draws from others on Medium. Despite early mistakes and challenges, she values the therapeutic aspect of writing and the freedom to use her voice in a way that aligns with her values.

Opinions

  • The Medium community, particularly the group at "The Gathering Table," is a significant source of support and encouragement for Tomlin.
  • The "This or That" writing game within the community is a noteworthy aspect that enhances the Medium experience.
  • The ability to earn money, even if minimal, is a motivating factor and a point of pride for writers like Tomlin.
  • Writing on Medium has facilitated substantial personal growth and self-discovery for Tomlin.
  • Regular writing has led to the development of a diverse portfolio that showcases Tomlin's voice and could be beneficial for future opportunities.
  • Tomlin enjoys writing for both work and pleasure, which positively influences her professional writing.
  • She uses her portfolio as a brainstorming tool for potential book ideas.
  • Learning about her target audience on Medium is something Tomlin values for future endeavors.
  • The stories and success of other Medium users inspire Tomlin to continue her journey on the platform.
  • Early mistakes have been learning experiences that have helped Tomlin refine her voice and approach to writing on Medium.
  • Tomlin appreciates the flexibility of setting her own work hours and the ability to write from various locations, contributing to a sense of freedom and empowerment.
  • The platform's tolerance for diverse voices allows Tomlin to write gratitude lists and focus on positive content rather than succumbing to negativity.
  • Planning and strategizing are key components of Tomlin's daily writing routine, which she has honed while writing on Medium.

BJ’s This or That | Gratitude

19 Things to Love on Medium

Why you should stay

Photo by Eddie Kopp on Unsplash

It’s been a slow couple of months here on Medium. So slow, it might seem like this whole writing thing was a big mistake. No mistakes, no regrets here. Only gratitude.

What makes Medium 100% worth your time?

It’s time we focus on what is working…

  1. Community. It might be the ONLY thing that matters. There’s a reason why it’s first. There are communities here that have niggled their way into my heart and life. These fabulous folks have shone their big love and light onto my writing path. I don’t know if I’d still be here if not for their kind words and support.
  2. Playing ToT — the community writing game otherwise known as “This or That”
  3. The ability to create space for my work and my voice.
  4. Personal publications AND community engagement publication capabilities are awesome! I’ve built a foundation of expectation and celebration by keeping my two pubs organized and brimming with fabulous work that I and the writers at The Gathering Table publish with deserving pride.
  5. The feeling of making money, even if it’s just pennies, on any of my work is the BEST feeling.
  6. Personal growth — I’ve not only found a voice that is authentic to me, but also I’ve found others’ voices that speak to similar and diverse truths that are helping me grow into a better person each day.
  7. Confidence and pride each time I hit “Publish”.
  8. Looking back on old work like… Eeeesh. I’ve come a long way in just 4 months!
  9. Writing each day has built a portfolio of diverse work in my own voice so that someday if someone (employer, publisher, etc.) wants to know who I am and what I’ve written about, it’s all here, baby.
  10. I don’t just write for “work”, I write for fun. The more I read and write for fun, the more I enjoy the polish and flow of my “work” pieces.
  11. Perusing my own portfolio is one way I am brainstorming for future book ideas. Ex: I’ve written a lot about this subject. Is it interesting? Is it a part of a bigger whole? Does it fit my target audience?
  12. As I learn more about Medium, I am learning what my target audience means in an online forum. This information I will use later, although I know not yet for what.
  13. Other people’s inspiring stories, success, and DRIVE. I’ve been inspired by all sorts of writers and readers on this platform. There’s so much inspiration! Look for it. It’s there.
  14. I’ve made mistakes. Early on especially. I copied in a bunch of old work and waited for the tsunami of success to overtake my life. I dabbled in voices that weren’t in line with the understanding I have today. I gave up multiple times. I was almost burned out.
  15. Therapy through writing — one of the biggest lessons that I’m still learning from Medium is that I don’t have to please everyone (it’s a lifelong lesson).
  16. Judging Medium by what I saw and who I met in my early days on Medium was an easy way to get the wrong idea about what we’re all doing here. The crap articles full of complaining and the BS shouts of hate from the Medium guideline sidelines is NOT what’s selling. Sure, it sells to some. But I let it manipulate my voice early on. I’m happy to be back, writing gratitude lists instead. And I can, because Medium allows for a chance to use my voice my way.
  17. Writing every day requires some serious planning. Like, not just “get up and type”. I’ve learned this here and I LOVE this truth. The same kind of organizing and strategizing I’ve done for employers ALL MY LIFE is at my disposal for my own great needs. This makes me feel free and empowered to keep writing.
  18. I have the freedom to set my own hours. I usually work 7–12 and 1–5, but I can toss an hour in any direction and set a schedule that works for me.
  19. I write from anywhere and everywhere and that matters. I feel flirty and fabulous writing from coffee shops and in cities where I’m just passing through. MEGA feels for being exactly who and where I want to be right now.

What are you grateful for today?

I’m Brett Jenae Tomlin, The Anxious Enthusiast.

Follow Me & My Pub: BJ’s This or That & BJ’s This or That — The Gathering Table

If you love, love, love my writing and want to shout out, “You get it, anxious girl!” You can contribute to my cookbook collection here or join Medium to put your own stamp on the web and the world. I get a little love if you use my link ^^

Gratitude
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Medium
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