Writing Should Bring Joy – Not Just Cents and Dollars

Writer’s dilemma

Oh, where do I even start?

The last couple of months have been a rollercoaster for me, at least when it comes to my Medium earnings.

December 2023 and January 2024 were phenomenal – I mean, I was on cloud nine, seeing those numbers go up. “This is it,” I thought, “I’m finally making a breakthrough!”

But then, February rolled around, and let’s just say, the excitement started to wear off.

The results were… underwhelming, to say the least.

Some days, I’d log in, eager to see my progress, only to find a few cents added to my account.

“What’s going on?” I’d mutter to myself, staring blankly at the screen.

It was like someone had popped my happy bubble with a sharp needle.

I’ve been publishing like a machine – daily, sometimes even twice a day. So, what went wrong?

As I sat there, staring at my laptop, I started to ponder over my recent Medium activities.

A lightbulb went off – “Ah-ha!” It dawned on me that I’d been less engaged with other writers.

My interaction levels had plummeted.

Sure, the claps were still coming in, but when was the last time I left a meaningful comment on someone else’s work? “Hmm, can’t remember,” I whispered to myself.

The truth is, I’ve been so caught up in churning out content that I forgot the essence of being part of a community.

Reading others’ posts and engaging with them wasn’t just a chore; it was what made the platform special.

Perhaps my articles weren’t hitting the mark anymore.

I’ve been writing a lot about Medium tips and stories, but let’s face it – those topics are becoming as stale as last week’s bread.

“Do people even find these interesting anymore?” I questioned, tapping my pen against the notebook.

It’s not just the content, though.

Could it be writer’s block, or am I just tired?

The thought of taking a break crossed my mind. “Maybe I need to step back, recharge, and find inspiration elsewhere,”

I mused, staring out the window.

The idea of reading for fun, without the pressure of monetizing every word, suddenly seemed appealing.

So, what do you think?

Should I give myself the permission to take a step back and just enjoy being a reader for a while?

Maybe that’s the reset button I need to hit. After all, writing should bring joy, not just cents and dollars.