In 2022, I Want to Be Even More Vulnerable on Medium

Summary

Nia Simone McLeod reflects on the power of vulnerability in her writing on Medium, aiming to deepen connections and support her community, especially people of color and Black girls.

Abstract

In a year of sharing personal stories on Medium, Nia Simone McLeod has embraced vulnerability as a tool for connection. Her articles have delved into sensitive topics such as the consumption of Black art by white audiences, her journey with inner-child work and colorism, and the impact of being labeled a "gifted child" on her mental health. These narratives, once sources of alienation, have fostered meaningful relationships with her readers. McLeod is committed to amplifying her vulnerability in 2022, hoping to make others, particularly people of color and Black girls, feel less isolated. She expresses gratitude to Lucy Dan for inspiring her through a writing prompt and encourages others to engage with the prompt as well. McLeod also invites readers to explore her extensive collection of Medium stories and to support her work by using her referral link for a Medium membership.

Opinions

McLeod believes that sharing vulnerable experiences leads to powerful connections and helps others feel less alone.
She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in her writing, especially for marginalized voices such as people of color and Black girls.
McLeod values the impact of her stories in creating a sense of belonging and community among her readers.
She acknowledges the role of other writers, like Lucy Dan, in inspiring and supporting her writing journey.
McLeod sees her work as a form of healing and empowerment, both for herself and her audience.

Throughout the past year I’ve spent on this platform, I’ve learned that there’s so much goodness that comes from being vulnerable.

Publishing consistently on Medium, over the past year, has made vulnerability a near-daily practice.

The stories I’ve shared on Medium have been stories I’ve rarely talked about on a public platform, like:

These experiences used to make me feel alien, different to the point of pure disgust. But, I’ve seen that sharing these experiences, especially in these unprecedented times that can feel so, so very alienating, breeds such beautiful, powerful connections with others.

In 2022, I want to be even more vulnerable. I hope that’ll help others feel less alone, especially people of color, especially Black girls, who are consistently alienated throughout every sector of our communities.

Big thank you to Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) for the prompt and tagging me in her initial post! Be sure to check out her post below for the initial writing prompt and go write your own!

Nia Simone McLeod writes, creates digital content, and watches a ton of Flavor of Love reruns. Check out her newsletter for her scorching hot takes on writing and pop culture.

Interested in gaining access to Nia’s backlog of 190+ Medium stories? Use her referral link to upgrade to a full Medium membership. She gets a lil’ commission, so it’s a dope way to support her and the thousands of other awesome writers on Medium.

In 2022, I Want to Be Even More Vulnerable on Medium

Throughout the past year I’ve spent on this platform, I’ve learned that there’s so much goodness that comes from being vulnerable.

Beauty in Vulnerability

a poem