Fellow Steemians..
I have been on Steemit for approximately 2 months now and wow, what an experience. - I've seen it all. Well probably not but it feels that way. I've seen debates, amazing stories, scam attempts, updates, outstanding photos, crazy competitions and superb content in general. - I can't help it, but I'm in love.
What I want to share with you today, is what I've managed to accomplish during my 2 months here. Individually as a person but also what I've managed to accomplish on steemit itself.
#1. I've put in endless of hours writing content.
- As some of my followers and readers of my previous posts might be aware of already.. I work full time online. I'm the highest user level on a marketplace called SEOClerks where I'm manually handpicked by their staff and I'm also a product creator. Amongst others things, I sell reports, guides and ebooks in various internet marketing niches. With that being said, I'm also extremely active in multiple internet forums and of course, SEOClerks own knowledge-bank, which is called "Community Discussions". So I'm not a stranger to writing, but, I've shared so many different things on Steemit and half of the posts I've shared so far is content I'd never shared if it weren't for steemit. Most of the content I share here are Steemit exclusive.
And that's how I want it to be. Especially the I've shared about my life. I'm not a private person and I don't have any problems to talk with people about certain things in life or about me. Such as my panic anxiety or my fathers death for instance, but, I've never done it before. It's not "who I am" so to speak.
Most of my friends and family members are clueless too. They see a huge improvement and I'm thankful for that. - This is who I've become.
2. I have stories to tell!
- During my time on Steemit I've also gained insights and not only that, I've also been able to come to the conclusion that my stories are stories worth to share. Before steemit, as I mentioned in the above point, I never shared personal stories or things like that so this is a totally new experience for me.. And I love it.
I don't have to be "my old self" on Steemit. I can be the new and improved André. At the beginning of my steemit journey I often shared freelancer related things, in one way or another, and I got great response! - However, my life contain more things than just being a freelancer. Even though I'm pretty good at what I'm doing as I've been doing it full time for the last 5 years now. When you think about it.. I've experienced pretty crazy things during my life so far, and why not share it? - Others might find it useful, interesting and others might even be at the same spot I've been in previously.. So it could function as help for them, to see that they're not alone.
Luckily, I love what I do and I've always loved to share.. And perhaps that's the most vital thing for me on steemit. - If I spend 4 hours writing an article.. Then I'd be thankful for a few nice comments from people, and I've got it. I've been rewarded with tons of cheerful comments and nice replies on my stuff so far.. - And that's what motivates me to continue!
#3. I'm reading again..
- I've always been reading a lot online. Especially due to my line of work.. But I've never read a "real" book in my life. Not even once. I don't even think that I've read a comic book from cover to cover. Honestly, it's not my thing. I've always been a "movie guy".
I watch a couple of movies or so per day and I've always been like that. I enjoy movies and watching movies takes me from "my reality" for about 90 minutes and I can relax and "shut things out". - However, ever since I found steemit, I don't watch movies as frequently as before. Instead, I read.
Steemit has literally anything you can imagine. If you want to read a cool fiction story about a cop, about a drug dealer or about a murderer.. Just check the fiction or writing category and you'll have a ton of stories to choose from. - It's one of the best things that happened. This also helps me to get inspiration to publish my own stories.
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#4. I've established a following.
- Any freelancer would know that followers, or perhaps I should call them recurring customers are vital for your business. These are the most important persons to keep close to you. These are the people that will pay your bills and make you able to put food on the table. New clients are obviously also important, but only if you're looking to expand your business or if you're looking to make more sales. On steemit, followers are important in the same way, especially the whales who'll upvote your content to the moon if you're a great author.. Which obviously makes it easier for you to pay your rent, buy a new cellphone or go on a vacation if you want. However, whales are nothing compared to the real and true value of your followers. Hear me out on this. Money is great and it makes it easier to do things in life if you have money, but money is not even close to be true value. At least not for me.
Value for me is something different. - A simple sentence can change a person's life radically. Words are powerful. - You can force a person to take his own life with the use of words but you can also convince suicidal people not to kill themselves. All with the use of simple words. You can make people laugh. You can get people angry or sad with the use of certain words. - True value for me is people I help, or people that help me with the use of words. People that care about me and people I care about. Love. Nice comments. A simple "Well done!" whenever I've done something good. To feel appreciated and to appreciate others. That's powerful and that's worth far more than money.
My followers on steemit are not only followers for the sake of my freelancing tips or money making ideas. They follow me because they like what I share. They like my other content too. They appreciate what I do. They appreciate or relate to my content. To things I've said and done in my life.. And that's amazing. - I would probably never have experienced that the way I have if I never became a member of steemit.
#5. I don't live in a shell 24/7..
- I don't need the same "protection" from myself. My panic anxiety, my fathers death and all the terrible, horrible and scary things I've experienced in life is still there and I'm still affected by everything.. But, by sharing the things I do, I feel better. It takes time and there's no magic button to get rid of all of it but it helps to share. To speak. To open up.
I write things on Steemit that never would have been written anywhere else than in a personal diary.. But I do this because I'm not alone and I'm not afraid. Not on the same level as before. - And if I've managed to come this far in only 2 months.. Just imagine how far I've come in another 2 months.. 6 months or a year.
I strive towards new goals and I work hard to reach milestones.. But most importantly, I do what I can to feel good about myself.. And Steemit have helped me with that. - You have helped me.