Day 4 — Metrics Madness: Anxiety and Stats Obsession on Medium

Trying to understand the difference between encouragement and insecurity.

Non-members can read the story here.

Social media platforms dominate our lives, and it is no surprise that many writers experience anxiety when it comes to their online presence. Medium is no exception. The pressure to gain followers, perform well in terms of metrics, receive negative feedback, and constantly comparing with the fellow writers, can become overwhelming.

When I became a member on Medium, I didn’t know that it would turn into obsession. From checking stats every morning (especially the Read Ratio) to checking for notifications throughout the day, including monitoring followers and email subscribers.

I knew this would happen, which is why I refrained from downloading the Medium app on my phone. However, while waiting at the car wash for an hour, I decided to download the app and engage with fellow writers. Little did I know, that was my biggest mistake. It was then, that the obsession began, constantly checking my notifications.

Today I thought of conducting an experiment: Every time I touched my phone, I’d open the medium app. Therefore, I made a resolution not to touch my phone for the next 4 hours. Initially, my mind was resolute. It agreed and said, “Let’s do it. It’s easy. We will conquer it”. However, half an hour into the experiment, my mind began to wander: Did someone call? I thought I heard it ring. Should I check? Despite the temptation, I managed to resist looking at my phone.

An hour into the experiment, my mind began to rationalize: Should we check WhatsApp? Someone from the family might have messaged us. We should check it, or should we check our stock portfolio? The mind is cunning, it did not suggest checking my emails, knowing I could do that on my laptop.

I somehow managed to go 4 hours without checking my phone, but it is amazing to see how persuasive our minds can be in order to satisfy temptation. My experiment was a success, but it felt like a long journey.

Ultimately, while it’s natural to seek validation and recognition for work, it is essential to prioritize our mental well-being and maintain a healthy perspective. By setting boundaries and taking breaks, we can navigate with greater resilience and balance. I kept on reminding myself:

“Remember, your value as a writer extends far beyond the number of followers, claps, and comments — it lies in the authenticity of your work and the impact of your ideas.” Followers, claps, highlights, and comments should be seen as encouragement, not sources of insecurity.

Has any of this happened with you? Do share your ideas in the comments.

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Thanks for reading.