Medium Or YouTube: How To Make Big Decisions Seem Small

The answers are within

There’s Another Way

“Waiting hurts. Forgetting hurts. But not knowing which decision to take can sometimes be the most painful.” ― José N. Harris

Decision making is some of life’s most challenging moments; “Should I do this, or should I do that?”

And this stress affects your health, wealth, intimate relationships, and overall peace of mind.

This doesn’t have to be the case. Life’s biggest questions can be handled with ease, allowing you to flow through life with confidence.

Medium Or Youtube?

“Not all those who wander are lost.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

I’ve been writing on Medium since late April (COVID made me do it). I’ve had some success. One of my first stories got curated.

But, as you may know, writing isn’t easy. Getting the thoughts from your head on to screen can be frustrating.

After years of working on my social skills, I’ve become persuasive in-person. People tell me I should pursue real estate, car sales, or public speaking. I’m going to school to become a Marriage and Family Therapist, so the suggestions aren’t far off.

So one night after watching a Youtube video, I thought, “Hey, I’m going to give this a try.” I made a couple of videos and was hooked…for a couple of days.

But, again, the words in my head weren’t being expressed very well on camera. Perhaps I’m not as entertaining as I thought.

And while rewatching the videos, I’d realize there were points I forgot to mention, and I’d get pissed off. On top of that, making thumbnails is so not my thing.

I spent days asking myself: “Should I do Medium or Youtube?”

“I’ve never been lost, but I was mighty turned around for three days once.” ― Daniel Boone

I walk to Vons every day to get groceries and an iced venti unsweetened green tea from Starbucks. I listen to the newest Hip-Hop and R&B tunes while walking. But for two days, I didn’t hear a single note, lyric, rhyme, or melody.

The only song I heard was called “Medium or Youtube?”

I’d work out and feel the burn of “Medium or Youtube?” My roommates would be talking to me, and I would be making eye contact with them, but their faces were hazy, and their voices muted because all I heard was “Medium or Youtube?” While I ate, I googled and Youtubed, “which is better — blog, or vlog?”

The internal turmoil continued until I became so miserable that I decided to do something I never do — journal.

And this is what I realized:

Your Opinion Needs To Be The Loudest

“Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free.” ― Shannon L. Alder

We get stuck in our heads because we’re afraid of making a mistake. To avoid failure, we listen to the opinions of others, hoping they will decide for us.

We read articles, watch videos, and listen to podcasts praying someone will give us the right answer. And you will get an answer, an answer that worked for them.

If you let others make your decisions, you’ll never give yourself the most considerable freedom — authenticity.

I dropped out of school four years ago because I let online gurus tell me college is useless. So I tried a bunch of things to become successful.

I got an internship at a gym training athletes — which, at the time, was my dream job. I almost became a Starbucks manager (I don’t know how I almost talked myself into that one). And I got my real estate license because my grandpa has made a fortune and told me I should give it a shot.

I quit them all within months because I wasn’t motivated, and they didn’t feel right to me.

“But how do I know what feels right?”

Hip-Hop > Everything

“We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it.” ― Jane Austen

You know what you like and dislike by trial and error. By experimenting.

I like Hip-Hop and R&B music because I’ve listened to all genres, and those are the only two that keep me engaged. I prefer nonfiction over fiction books, movies, and shows. I’d rather stay-in than go-out. I’ll take a burrito instead of taco any day.

You have your preferences too; you’ve just been disconnected from them because you’ve let other people tell you how you should feel and act. You have to reconnect to yourself to make decisions that are best for you.

“Ok, I have my choice, but I’m still scared.”

Mistakes Don’t Exist

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

There’s no such thing as a mistake, just lessons learned. You’ll never discover who you are if you don’t move forward. Overthink and stalling at a red light will get you nowhere in life.

Go on a journey of self-actualization. Uncovering layers and genuinely expressing yourself are freedoms you deserve. But you have to claim them. No one other than you can peel back those layers.

“Travelers, there is no path, paths are made by walking.” ― Antonio Machado

Life’s a Journey, Not a Destination

“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.” ― Germany Kent

No decision is more important than you’re peace of mind. This life is for you to live. You’re free to do whatever you want. This freedom needs to be exercised by you and only you.

It’s ok not to have an answer right now. There’s no rush. Life’s a journey, not a destination.

And I’ve made a decision. I’m going to focus solely on Medium. I could do both — Medium and Youtube — but my gut is telling me to give my entirety to writing. And for a change, I’m going to trust myself.

But Youtube seems cool. Hmmm…

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