Feeling the Awesomeness on Medium
Something great has happened to me personally.
For 55 years I have felt “alone” in the sense that up until last year I have not felt that I was part of the “in crowd” in terms of sharing writing and reading interests and the community values of reciprocity and encouragement of others.
Then Medium found me! It happened in November 2018 and the Ascent and Real Life Resilience were the Publications that provided wonderful outlets for me to post some heartfelt personal stories right from the start.
When you’re new to Medium, it can be a land of promise and excitement, and it was to me. I’ve read writers on Medium posting about how Medium, as an outlet for writing and sharing and reciprocating has helped them with their personal journeys, including their growing in confidence or feeling supported.
This happened to me, and for the record, I am not being naive and putting Medium on a “pedestal” or saying that all my worries are now over.
I’m sure that, as intelligent adults, Medium writers are aware that Medium is one of the many platforms or avenues for writing or blogging; and that there is no parent / child relationship between the Medium staff and the writers!
I am saying that, after as intense a Life as can be, including a traumatic inter-country adoption experience, and open heart surgery in October 2014, that I have found a niche now, which is writing on Medium “for the love of writing.”
I have found a ton of amazing Publications and writers on Medium, of whom I admire the Editors and Writers a lot.
These writers fall into 2 categories, those of well-known or established professionals and personalities, and my favorite, those not so much in the public spot-light.
Having always been a humble and patient person, and someone whom loves data or information (with 4 planets in Virgo when I was born) I am filled with gratitude, wonder and happiness at the plethora of writers and writing on Medium.
It really is a joy to me to come across so many varied thoughts, opinions and experiences; while of course holding and forming my own opinions and living my own life.
Although some Medium writers say that the types of stories on Medium have changed a lot over the years, be this as it may, I still choose to try to find the positive and good in Medium, and in everything.
This may include topics or content or categories of writers that Medium chooses to promote, but the World is a big place, and I can find other content and writing elsewhere.
Slowly I am beginning to realise something else - which dare I say it, is how awesome I am!
It has taken me decades of soul-searching or deep reflection and reaching into my inner light to keep going, to get to where I am today. For much of the way, I have not liked myself much, so have not loved myself.
How can you like or love yourself, when you have been me? When you have battled through adoption, sexual abuse, racism, discrimination, and being shut down and ignored and neglected, not appreciated or acknowledged, and not being listened to (i.e. treated as a child)?
When you have strived to keep your head above water, to continue to love and support others and the Earth, and abandoned yourself?
Well, thanks to this outlet, Medium, which allows me to express myself and, importantly, to link up with a large caring / supportive group of people, whom I am eternally grateful to for interacting with me, my “swan song” has come.
The tables are turned, to use a metaphor (and I see all life as metaphorical).
Instead of only seeing everyone else as awesome, I now include myself as an awesome writer and person.
Feeling that I am part of a community of good writers who write about what moves them or about their own experiences, and who help each other, has been a great weight lifted of my shoulders.
Thank you to those who write positively on Medium, and who support me, and know that I will support you as much as I can!
