3 Lessons I’ve Learned As an Editor on Medium

They’re not what you think.

Good morning, afternoon, or evening, wise readers and writers across all time zones covered by this multi-Medium world!

I am Diana C., owner of the spiritual awareness and growth publication, Know Thyself, Heal Thyself. I am thrilled to post my first of what I expect to be many shares with the readers of the various ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications.

Owning an online publication comes with both great responsibilities and wonderful rewards. The satisfaction I get when supporting writers is beyond comparison — it fills me up with joy and adds meaning to my life. It has the power to do this for you too for as you know, being of service to others equally benefits the giver and the receiver: You can’t give to others without also reaping rewards yourself!

Believe it or not, owning and or editing a publication on Medium provides no direct financial benefit. However, as an editor on this platform, I have reaped many non-monetary yet priceless rewards as I have learned and honed many necessary skills I had to acquire to successfully manage my pub.

In no specific order, here are 3 things this journey has taught me:

All success is successful adaptation

“Things change. The only thing constant is change. It’s up to you to be adaptable.” Anonymous

Indeed, life doesn’t stay the same and this platform is no exception to the rule. A lot has changed on Medium ever since I first joined it about two years ago. Although I found this to be frustrating at first, with time I stopped allowing this emotion to get the best of me — instead I looked for ways to adapt both my writing and publication to all the changes that took place, to keep an open mind and heart and to remain as creative in my endeavors as possible.

The art of editing lies in a constant readjustment to the platform, to its writers and to one’s own goals and ambitions — staying flexible in one’s ways and gathering the courage to try out different techniques of keeping your writers and readers engaged, creative and upbeat.

Diversity drives innovation

Separation, competition and prejudice are three of the things that are guaranteed to compromise a relationship, friendship and, of course, an online publication.

This quote by Mahatma Gandhi resonates a lot with me:

“No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.”

My friends, the same is true for publications. They can not live and they surely cannot thrive if they are focused on pointing out and judging the differences, be they religious, political, racial, etc. — they can only flourish where there is both acceptance and respect.

As an editor, I often find my inner voice disagreeing with some of the things that are being written yet, I also find myself learning new things about my own and other people’s beliefs. By questioning some of these beliefs, I inevitably become more self-aware. And the best part? All is done with the utmost respect and understanding for the other writers.

As Voltaire beautifully put it: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Taking nothing personally

Probably one of the hardest lessons to master, both in life and online, is pausing and remembering not to take things personally.

As editors, we have been granted this wonderful opportunity to connect with so many wonderful writers from all areas of life, to learn about their struggles and joys, to cry and laugh reading their stories. Even though it all happens virtually, it’s nearly impossible not to question things when one of them decides not to write for your publication anymore or when they pull a disappearing act and completely vanish from the platform.

Over the last few months, I have started practicing detachment, or, better said, healthy attachments. I cherish the content my writers share and the moments spent connecting, but I try not to get too emotionally worked up about them deciding to take a break or leave Medium altogether. People come, people go — either way, it’s okay, because the purpose has been served and the insights have been passed on.

Being an editor has been and continues to be a learning curve — one that is both endlessly fascinating, as it can be frightening at times. May we all continue to improve our skills and celebrate our attributes!

Our greatest human adventure is the evolution of consciousness. We are in this life to enlarge the soul, liberate the spirit, and light up the brain. — Tom Robbins

Best and warmest wishes,

Diana C.