I am a Steemit Minnow, with relatively small influence compared to many on the platform. At first it felt like an uphill battle spending hours creating posts that only a handful of people read. I was getting discouraged until something happened that some newer minnows might not know about.
The Power of Steemit
One post changed everything for me because it showed me that the Steemit community has a big heart. 
Here’s the post: https://steemit.com/blog/@darthnava/fellow-steemers-i-need-help-as-my-mri-results-are-not-encouraging
Cryptocurrency = Love
The post showed me the power of Steemit, and I stopped viewing myself as a struggler on Steemit and started viewing myself as someone who is building a foundation from which I can one day use to influence the life of another in a positive way. I was also gaining writing practice, and was meeting some caring, inspiring people, and you become like those you associate with.
I continue to participate on Steemit, because I am energized by it, and am excited to see where it is heading in the future. Here’s how I avoid becoming discouraged:
GIVING THANKS
for Steemit pulls me out of the darkness of negativity - being part of a great community that only a small percentage of people are aware of, yet has huge growth potential keeps me hopeful. I am grateful to
and 
for creating this online social utopia!
SOCIALIZING
on Steemit pulls me away from my feelings of minnow isolation and disconnection. It lifts my mood. Making friends on Steemit has been the best! One of my friends is even hosting a contest to win a trip to Steemfest2 in LIsbon, Portugal. The Ultimate in Socializing! You may enter the contest by
, by making a 3 min video to win a ticket! A life changing experience!
Not sure what Steemfest2 is? Here’s some info:
https://steemit.com/steemfest/@steemfest/steemfest-2-1-2-3-4-5-november-2017-lisbon-portugal )
Here’s how to enter the
(https://steemit.com/steemfest/@stellabelle/win-a-trip-to-steemfest-submit-a-3-minute-video)
SELF CARE
makes me feel better - Once I am done curating and posting on Steemit, I get up from my chair (sitting is the new smoking), and eat some free range eggs with basil picked from my garden, and go out and walk my dog. I make sure to unplug from my computer each day to get eight hours sleep at night. The cool part is I can also write about walking my dog and growing my garden, and all I have to do is bring a camera with me, and I can share my experiences on my Steemit blog.
FUN HOBBIES
make me more fun, and take the focus off myself. You can contribute to others by making how-to videos about your hobbies, or your family member’s hobbies. This lifts your own mood, their mood, and you have fun. Recently I shared a video my son made about dj ing at a club, and his Youtube views went from 19 to 31. He was thrilled! One of the best ways to help yourself feel better is to help others feel better. It gives you a boost, because it is greater than yourself.
CHANGING MY THOUGHTS to positive
Instead of thinking I suck on Steemit, I change my thoughts to focus on what I am learning about writing and photography by curating posts of all the talented people here. Also, I am following interesting people, and sharing content. These positive actions improve my mood and behavior. Being critical of myself hurts my well-being and restructuring my thoughts makes me feel better and function better on Steemit.
I hope these points will encourage you to continue posting on Steemit too. By viewing it as a way to form relationships with inspiring people, in a community making positive changes for the members, where you keep growing and learning as a person while being rewarded financially, you will have no problem sticking around. Sharing your Steemit posts on Facebook and Twitter will encourage more people to join Steemit which will raise the tide for the entire community and make it stronger.
Shoot For The Stars Minnows and all Steemians!! We Raise The Tide Together!! Thanks for reading!
photos ~ Pixabay and Giphy