Summary

A Medium user reflects on her three-year journey on the platform, culminating in her recent decision to actively share her writing and engage with the community.

Abstract

The author of the article, a Medium user, recounts her experience of joining Medium during the global pandemic in 2020 as a way to occupy her time beyond her essential worker job. Initially hesitant due to fear of judgment and self-doubt about her writing skills, she was inspired by other successful authors on the platform. Despite her passion for writing, she kept it a private affair, even from her boyfriend, until the transformative experience of motherhood encouraged her to publish her first story in June 2023. Embracing the possibility of failure, she has since found joy in reader feedback, modest earnings, and the process of refining her craft. She acknowledges the challenges of earning significantly on Medium but remains determined to write without hesitation, support fellow writers, and navigate the platform's intricacies.

Opinions

The author had reservations about sharing her writing online due to fear of not being good enough and concerns about others' opinions.
She found inspiration in other Medium authors' success, believing that with time and dedication, she could also succeed in writing.
The author values her boyfriend's respect for her privacy and personal interests, though she initially did not fully disclose the extent of her passion for writing.
Motherhood played a significant role in her decision to start publishing her work, giving her a new perspective and the courage to share her stories.
She is committed to her writing journey on Medium, regardless of the financial outcomes, viewing any earnings as a positive contribution to her personal finances.
The author regrets not understanding Medium's clapping system earlier and apologizes for any perceived slight to other writers.
She is critical of the notion that making a substantial living on Medium is easy, recognizing the hard work and multiple account strategies that may be necessary for significant earnings.
The author is enthusiastic about her growth on Medium, her role as a 'Friend of Medium,' and the mutual support within the writing community.
She remains optimistic about her future on the platform and the impact of her stories, confident that there is an audience for her work.

Confessions of a Silent Medium User

My three year journey, but really it’s been six months

I joined Medium back in 2020. We were all in the middle of a global pandemic, and even though I still had to drag my ass to work every day as an ‘essential worker,’ I needed something else to keep me busy — given all the negativity and sad news surrounding me.

I contemplated a lot about whether or not to share my writing online, but I was afraid of not being good at it and of what others might think or say about it —

“Who does she think she is putting all her business out there and calling it art?”

I downloaded the app, read the reviews, and delved into other writers’ work. I found it fascinating. If these incredible authors can succeed, why can’t I? Even if I suck at it right now, I know it’ll take time. Writing is a skill I can develop if I give it my all.

I desired to share a part of myself, yet I hesitated to confess to my boyfriend that writing is more than just a hobby — it’s a passion. He’s come across the journals and notebooks scattered around the house, but perhaps he assumed they were for jotting down notes. Regardless, he respected my privacy, never probing further. Even when I mentioned I enjoyed writing, I didn’t fully express the depth of my love for it.

My passion for writing led me to share my stories online. I wanted to break free from keeping my words hidden, so I dedicated time to practice, learn, and gain confidence alongside other new and talented writers.

Looking for a purpose during lunch breaks and after long hours at my previous 9 to 5 job, I invested in the Medium partner program. For three years, I silently absorbed wisdom from articles and stories, only to finally find my voice and the strength to share all of mine.

Jumping ahead to June 2023, the transformation that comes with motherhood altered my perspective. I threw caution to the wind and boldly published my first story on Medium, asking myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Whether I soar or stumble with views or claps, I’m committed to continuously sharing, reading, and absorbing insights to refine my craft.

Today, I find satisfaction in the feedback from readers, particularly the women resonating with my stories and the modest earnings. I’ve progressed from earning $0.02 in my initial month to consistently making between $30-$40. I aim to increase these figures, viewing it as a means to fill my car tank without any reservations.

Something is better than nothing.

Discovering the potential to earn on Medium surprised me when I resumed using the app in June. My earlier ignorance even extended to the clapping system, where I unintentionally limited myself to one clap, a mistake I regret and apologize to those I may have offended.

Is one clap offensive anyway?

Are you reading my stories for more than 30 seconds, at least? Haha!

Well, here I am, just ecstatic about my cozy little corner in the Medium world. Sure, some folks are practically fuming over the algorithm tantrums and the endless money talks about making a living on this platform. Good for you if you’ve cracked that code. As for me, I’ve discovered it’s not exactly a walk in the park unless you juggle multiple accounts, bombard the platform with stories daily, and spread your writing gospel across the internet.

I’ll get there someday. Right now, I want to do what I should’ve done three years ago: write without hesitation.

I recently became a ‘Friend of Medium,’ and now I’m on a mission — supporting my fellow writers, perfecting my craft, and surviving these rollercoaster times. Let’s see where this adventure takes me.

I’m excited to stock up on more insights, knowledge, experiences, and skills because we’re all just storytellers navigating this unpredictable journey called life. And, you know what? Even if some doubt whether people care, I’m confident there’s an audience out there ready to tune in.

Thank you for reading.

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