My First Viral Article on Medium!
How I channeled anger over an injustice to write my heart out.
I overcame a 3 weeks long writers' block with an article about tampons.
I could not think of anything else, and I watched about 374 Tik Tok videos of women having problems with the brand I typically buy.
When I found out my tampons may contribute to my abnormal periods, I was furious.
Why was I paying for expensive, organic tampons when they still use the same harmful additives? I grabbed my laptop and began researching, desperate to spread this new information to the public.
I wrote this article in the Unfair Advantage, which many people found useful:
I didn’t expect the views that followed:
My articles typically get 20–60 views, so this was crazy!
Less than 24 hours after writing this article, a reader reached out to me explaining titanium dioxide is different from titanium dioxide nanoparticles. They said titanium dioxide doesn’t have the same carcinogenic properties as titanium dioxide nanoparticles.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are proven to damage DNA and cause cancer, so I steer clear of titanium dioxide altogether.
The tampon brand shouldn’t be using an inorganic material and marketing it as organic.
Additionally, I believe America has delayed scientifically studying this chemical because the research regarding it is minimal, whereas other countries are banning it.
The European Union recently banned titanium dioxide for use as a food additive.
America has no plan to ban this additive. Perhaps because it is cost-effective and increases visual appeal!
If the EU is banning titanium dioxide for use in food additives, I’d rather not have it in my sanitary products either. It’s not worth the white color lol.
The email was signed with the initials, KP. This discreet name makes me think someone in charge of selling those tampons reached out to me.
I understand where this person’s email came from, however, the intention of my article was to educate the public on an “organic” brand lying to its consumers.
Titanium dioxide isn’t organic. I find it unjust for people to spend more money on products marketed as healthy, only to realize those products are just as bad as the regular ones.
I was paying extra for the same bullshit additives in my products. I was angry, so I wrote about it.
I channeled my anger for this injustice and wrote my heart out.
I hadn’t written in 3 full weeks, so my grammar definitely contained mistakes, but that’s okay! That’s the best part about Medium — you can write in your own style.
I think that’s why my article went viral. People could relate.
I found something I enjoy writing about, social injustices, and let my perspective and passion drive the writing flow.
To my amazement — it worked! The truth spread!
I know my writing still needs improvement, but this was the confidence boost and encouragement I needed. I’m a strong believer that consistent writing leads to improved writing.
If you want to avoid titanium dioxide altogether, check out this article:
Thank you for taking the time to read my story! I am so thankful I was able to spread this truth to so many people. I appreciate all the writers here on Medium — thank you all for the daily encouragement to improve my writing!