Yesterday was Steem's 3rd year birthday.
I found out about it a few days before but... it slipped my mind yesterday. I was reminded when I saw some posts about it.
Three full years is a great milestone, few working blockchains with an active community can be proud of.
Let's look forward to the 4th year as the one when running full nodes will become much cheaper, giving our blockchain resilience against adversities (that's almost realized), a year when onboarding will pick up speed and retention improves, and when developments keep coming, to take full advantage of the battle-tested or cutting-edge new technology Steem offers.
Hopefully it will be the year when SMTs will finally be released, making a few project owners happy, and us along with them, plus bringing Steem in the spotlight again, in areas where now doesn't take the front row.
I'll be realistic and say this year will be tough, maybe tougher than the 3rd one. While during 2018 we had to face mainly the bear market, just like everyone else, I believe during Steem's 4th year the highest threat comes from competition, wherever it may come from.
Lately I haven't been as involved with Steem at the engagement level, reading less posts and commenting less than before. Even manually curating less than before. Engagement must not be lost, or community is lost. I intend to do my part and engage more again, but right now my schedule is pretty tight.
Steem on!