With Medium, I’m Transitioning to Creative Writing Full-Time by Next Year

This platform has opened up a world of possibility for me. And I’m going to be brave and finally take the plunge.

I recently wrote a piece about finally giving myself permission to want more for myself than sitting complacently in a goal I’ve already achieved, and submitting to inactivity because of fear and guilt.

To sum this up, years ago I had a dream to start my own business, make a fulltime income from working for myself, and have freedom and flexibility to pursue the potential of being a professional creative writer.

For the last year, I’ve been living in the reality of making that goal happen for myself.

But recently, I’ve been getting really restless. Living in that old dream is no longer the most I want for myself.

And I’ve been experiencing extreme guilt for wanting more.

How greedy am I? Why is my current reality, full of blessings, not good enough for me?

Am I selfish? Am I an a**hole for no longer wanting to pursue social media as my business, and instead make a fulltime living off of my writing?

Am I crazy for wanting more?

January 2020 is going to be a life-changing month for me.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to be a professional writer.

I’ve been obsessively creating and crafting stories for as long as I can remember.

But, like most creatives, I was told from an early age that this dream was unrealistic.

“Barely anybody makes it as a writer. You need to get a real job, so that you can pay the bills when you’re an adult.”

And so, reluctantly, I tossed that dream aside.

I pursued more feasible career options. Like communications and public relations.

I took control back for my life by starting my own social media marketing company, and was pleased to be able to call the shots as my own boss.

But even in the early days of my new business, I would look into my office and envision myself at my desk, spending my entire day creative writing.

I wanted that dream to become a reality so. damn. bad.

But I didn’t think I deserved it, or that it was possible.

I didn’t let myself believe it was even possible.

Until now, that is.

Substantial growth can really happen on here.

When I first started out on Medium, I fell in love with Shannon Ashley’s work.

I’m certainly not the only writer who is inspired by her, nor am I the only one who considers her the Queen of Medium.

Her story is inspirational — like me, she worked as a social media marketer, crafting creative content for other people. At some point, there was a shift and she started writing on Medium.

She blew up fairly quickly, through her raw, powerful and vulnerable storytelling that truly resonates with people in a sincere, human way.

I would be set even if I made a third of what she makes here. So that gives me the hope and faith that it is possible, if you’re willing to work hard enough for it.

I am equally inspired by my fellow writer Glenna Gill, who a few months ago left her day job to become a creative writer fulltime — and she used Medium to do it.

Glenna is fantastic at writing courageous and raw personal essays that truly move the soul.

These women inspire me with their writing every single day — and they have paved the road to show other women like myself what exactly is possible on this platform.

5 months to go — here’s my strategy moving forward.

I have to up the ante of everything I do on this platform if this is going to happen.

And I’m going back to my roots to make that happen.

When I first started on Medium 5 months ago, I committed hard. I:

• Wrote 3 articles per day
• Focused on vulnerability and quality of work
• Spent 170 hours per month on Medium, on top of my business
• Wrote well into the night, multiple times per week
• Watched my income go from $16 to $650 in just 3 months

For the last few months, I’ve been telling myself that making the equivalent of $1,000 Canadian is enough.

I’ve been telling myself I’m not worthy, nor do I deserve, more than that.

It’s time to say “F*ck you, imposter syndrome!”

I am worth so much more than just $600! And I deserve whatever I'm willing to work my a** off to achieve.

So, I drafted up the strategy. I’ve made January 2020 my deadline to make this goal happen.

I’m charged, on fire with passion, and I’m ready to make this dream a reality for myself!

Am I scared? Yes.

But I’m also excited.

And I’m done holding myself back from my utmost potential.

Final word.

I’m giving myself 5 months to triple my income on this platform.

If I work hard enough, and commit to it whole-heartedly, who’s to say I won’t make it happen?

I started one business from scratch — I believe I can do it again.

Because I want it that bad.

When I first started on this platform, I wrote about how I wasn’t intending to make a fulltime income from Medium.

That’s changed. I want it now.

I want this to be how I make my livelihood.

And I finally have the courage to put it out there are take the leap to make it happen.

Here’s to the potential of the future!