Medium: I Am Overwhelmed

A Sunday reflection.

I love Medium. I ran into this platform about over a year ago. I found it to be deeply inspiring and of course, I still do.

This first week of October I finally joined the Medium Partner Program and I am very curious about what my earning might be.

We all know stories about how some writers made huge amounts of money with their posts in very little time. Stories about how much profits they got with (X) amount of views or (Y) amount of articles and so on. Posts about the 30days or the 100days challenge. Also, the vital and crucial importance of titles and the first paragraphs, and do not forget the importance of images too.

Even as I write this article, I tell myself: remember not to sound boring or repetitive, Patty, please!

I think I can speak for the vast majority when I say we are writing and publishing here because we believe that we can contribute and help others with our knowledge, experiences, life lessons, and struggles. To put it simply: with everything we all have learned so far.

I know for a fact that all the advice we encounter in Medium is very well-intended. However, we have to try to be mindful, we have to take these posts for what they are: opinions or suggestions about what someone should do.

I don't believe they have the intention of affirming or assuring that: “if you do this, you will get specifically that” because as you already probably know what works for them won’t necessarily work for us.

I am overwhelmed.

And it's all on me. It's no one's fault.

I am so so so grateful and happy that people read my posts, that they comment on them, and that they tell me how much they appreciate them.

Honestly, it really makes my day seeing that they enjoy my content. Every time I see a clap or that someone read it, I celebrate it.

Having said that, however, at the same time, I am overwhelmed with all the notifications I get, with all the emails I receive.

It's really distracting and of course, this won't stop.

I also see these super common and constant pieces of advice, quite often, which are:

Don't look at your stats so much!

(But that's all I personally can seem to do!).

The more you write, the better because every piece you write will help you make better articles.

That statement above is absolutely true, however, I feel I am taking that piece of advice too literally, because I am writing a lot, like 24/7, and it never seems to be enough.

I recently saw a post on Medium that said something like: I have over 1.000 drafts and I don't know what to write anymore…

I was very shocked and impressed by that, and at the same, I know I relate to that declaration GREATLY.

And so today I am reminding myself why I started writing in Medium. And it's not because of the “money” or the views or being viral. (Even though, that does sound fun.)

It's because I enjoy writing and sharing my life and dating experiences. It’s because I love journaling too.

I journaled so much during COVID-19 that I felt I needed a platform and as a result, I found and choose Medium. And I wouldn't have it any other way, even when I “complain”.

To conclude

I wrote this piece for anyone who is feeling this way and can relate to this feeling.

I didn't want this post to come across as ungrateful or hateful of this platform because that's absolutely not the case.

And if you disagree with what I stated, that's okay I respect that. But also, please respect that I am simply expressing how I am feeling right now.

Of course, I won't continue to feel this way every day. I will get better at handling these things, I know that.

Lastly, I will continue to remind myself that I shouldn’t put so much pressure on myself to do what others do. Instead, I will continue to try to do what makes me feel contented and comfortable.

What others are doing is really not my concern.

Instead of saying I hope to have what they have, I am practicing saying:

— Good for them, I am happy for them.

(And I am really happy for them!)

Thank you for reading, hope you are having a great day ❤