Holly moly, it’s been a month since I began writing on Medium. Besides the fear of being judged we all feel in the beginning, I did learn a lot and my perspective now are wayyy different than the ones I had when it started.
If you’re still doubting whether you should start or not, if you still feel like you got some “notions” to master before you can get exposure, then this message is for you.
The beginning of a long journey
If you’re a writer, you started this way:
You have massive ideas everyday, you jot them down and sometimes even write full articles around them, you love to explore those subjects and get extreme satisfaction from it once you add that last point.
But, you also share this issue:
Except your friends and family, you don’t have any readers and even if you love them from all of your heart, they suck in their reading-role, the only comment you get from them is an empty reaction — Oh, it’s cool! — Seriously? Didn’t you notice the way I depicted this idea? Nor the way I put those ones into different perspectives? Who’s gonna see this one day — and you cry to yourself.
And then one day you decide that it should change, you check what possibilities you have to expose your work and find Medium, you read a few articles and BAM — These guys are too strong for me, if I say something here I’m gonna be crushed like the cockroach I am — but being a sadistic, you keep reading and then finally decide, I’m doing this!
The first piece of writing
After creating an account, you immediately go the “New story” section and see the blank page, you’re accustomed to it — nothing new — you start writing and directly picture millions of people reading your work, the pressure becomes intimidating, your hands shake, you sweat but you know you must do it so you keep writing.
After wording your abstract ideas, the puzzle looks complete, you read what you wrote, reread again and then a doubt pops out of nowhere, “What if it sucks and it’s the dumbest idea ever?”
You feel confused, you don’t like this feeling, you want to close everything and do something else but you can’t get back to normal life — you click on that “Ready to publish” button and BAM again.
Stats?!!!
After publishing your article, you’re in front of millions of people, cameras are filming you, there’s so much pressure, you’re sweating too! You check your stats and like you predicted it — 0,0,0 —or not, wait what?!!!
0, nada? You’re shocked, you thought a whole world would be reading and interacting with your amazing piece of writing but no one even saw it. How is it possible? Your pressure was just mental. It’s frustrating, you put every ounce of yourself into this work.
After some days, you still don’t have any read.
You decide to write something else, reminding yourself that you did it for the pleasure of writing and exposing it, not stats and fame.
The first read
You’ve been writing for days now, each time — same feelings of joy and excitement — the pressure diminished and now you don’t really care about it, you do want some recognition but put the craft first.
Every piece of writing is carefully written, you do your best editing it, you love the process of expressing yourself freely, you’re a dolphin in a beautiful sunny ocean — it’s perfect.
One day after publishing an article, you check the stats with the expectation of nothingness and BAM — you got a read — uh???! You’re so happy! Someone actually read it, they might have not reacted at all but they spent time reading what you wrote and it’s so amazing — you’re super excited.
Your feedback loop is on fire and you keep writing.
The first clap
After some days of passionate writing, a stranger clapped for your article — — What???!!! You think you’re dreaming, reload the page but NO, dude I got a clap! It feels like all the success in the world, you’re happy, you’re fulfilled, you’re a billionaire!
Your feedback loop is even more on fire. Now, you write for pure pleasure of expression, you’re joyful, you love it, it’s part of your day and it’s a place where you feel at home.
You write with comfort and confidence, the “New story” section is an opportunity to impact someone’s life, the “Ready to publish” button is an opportunity to embrace your mistakes and imperfections — to connect with people.
Your first 50 claps and beyond
This one is a huge one, it’s like a pat on the back from The Universe — saying: “Continue your work, you’re doing something of extreme importance.”
You’re in love with everything you do. It’s no more about writing but about life, this aspect of your creativity that you mastered helped you gain confidence — you can achieve anything you want now.
You don’t really care about the numbers anymore, sure that payment from your writing is super cool — but it can’t buy the joy you get from producing valuable content for others.
Exposing yourself transformed you. You are deeply connected with everyone. Delivering extreme value to people is no more a hassle, but pure joy.
The end of a journey — The beginning of another one
Most of us relate to this story because we’ve all been there.
The end goal isn’t the reward, the process is.
If you’re still doubting whether you should start or not, then you have a look on how it feels.
Start. Expose yourself. It will develop your confidence and help you attract people from your tribe. Don’t overthink it, your voice is worth it.
Set your expectations high and work as hard as they’d require it. Always remain loyal to your mission, only you can accomplish it.
We’re billions on this planet but each of us has a big family, the person you quickly relate to is an example. We all want to be loved and love, we are humans and we share this beautiful experience called Life.
Own your voice. You have something to share with the world and it desperately needs it. I don’t know you but I send you all the power and support you need. You can do this. Accept and embrace yourself.
Peace, brother, sister.
