The little things I cling to when my heart is broken and my mind is cluttered.

I made the terrible mistake of reading the latest articles about the inevitable demise of our beloved safe space, Medium.

It was Friday morning. I logged on with the best of intentions to catch up on reads from my favorites, leave little love notes below beautiful personal stories, and then share my latest article.

Instead of sticking to my usual routine, I fell down the rabbit hole.

I couldn’t stop reading articles about how doomed this platform is- what was once a “we’re all in this together” message diluted into “get out while you still can” and after consuming one too many stories, I felt deflated creatively.

Most of the stories I read were campaign ads for other platforms. Writers I respect were rightfully sharing their frustrations with recent changes in leadership, features, and payouts.

They spoke of better opportunities and greener grass elsewhere. They raised awareness about increased earnings for serious writers who are leaving Medium to be more intentional with their time and more adamant about growing their writing careers.

I’ve only been writing on Medium for a year. I fell in love with the enveloping warmth, the writers, and their stories.

I never thought that six months into my first year here, executive-level leadership would change hands and layoffs would soon follow. Those corporate changes may seem irrelevant to our experience as writers but change snowballs and causes tremors throughout the entire community.

I am going to keep writing and nurturing connections on Medium. But with a heavy heart.

Many of the features that once connected us and helped us keep in touch are glitchy or unavailable now. Earnings are random and there are never-ending debates about which type of content makes money.

Writers aren’t being rewarded generously for reading, reads allegedly aren’t being accurately recorded, and morale is suffering.

I’m clinging to the little things. Here’s a short list of things that keep me coming back-

1. Support. I connected with the most engaged and enthusiastic readers on Medium. Their personal stories and compassion helped me open up about trauma I thought I’d carry around like bricks for the rest of my life.
2. Inspiration. The best writers in the world share here and they start conversations and share stories that continue to transform me as a person and a creative.
3. Loyalty. Call me crazy or old-fashioned but I feel like those who ride the waves in life are rewarded for being open-hearted and ready for change. Every organization I ever worked with endured countless leadership changes. Change is scary! When I was younger, I jumped ship at the first mention of high tide (trouble). Now, I realize change is not always the end of a good thing. It’s often the beginning of better things.
4. Relationships. There are people on Medium who support my writing in a variety of affirming ways. I receive emails of encouragement from them. They financially invest in my work. They promote my work in their own stories. My friends on Medium helped me understand the biggest supporters might be waiting on the other side of fear. Writing and posting honest, vulnerable stories here changed my life.

Before I joined Medium, I never called myself an artist. I hesitated to refer to myself as a writer. Being here validated what I’ve known all along. I’m too capable to be confined by corporate labels that kept me timid or tied me to roles and people that never fit me.

Why do you choose to share your stories on Medium?

Love Letters about Community and Connections on Medium

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