I spent some time reading my older articles.
It was fun, odd and a bit scary to tell you the truth. Not in a bad way though.
After reading 15-20 articles and all the comments, I noticed five different things.
- I've had some really awesome payouts.
- Many established Steemians, dolphins and whales have replied to my articles in the past.
- I've become a better writer. (In my honest opinion).
- Dan Larimer (
) supported me more than a handful of times.
- Most of the established Steemians, dolphins & whales who supported me in one way or another in the past, haven't done that for a very long time.
That's five different things I noticed. However, I also noticed that I spent less time and thoughts behind my articles compared to today. In my opinion, I shared less quality in the past and I've been sharing better, longer and more powerful articles since then.
So one question remains... - What Have I Done?
There's no secret formula or recipe for success. I can't go back in time to those days when I first joined Steemit. - It's literally impossible.
I also cannot change people's thoughts, beliefs or change their behaviour in terms of who they should follow, support or interact with. - These actions are for the users themselves to figure out and handle.
I have never been greedy. I have never been selfish. I have made a few mistakes here and there and I am definitely not an expert in the English language or an expert blogger by any means. - Yet, I've been spending tons of time multiple times since I joined Steemit trying to figure out how to become an Established Steemian.
I am not a chef. I am not a cryptocurrency expert and I have little knowledge about blockchains. I am also not a superb photographer or a splendid artist. - I am average.
I am a random Swede trying to become someone I'm not.
I know who and how I am and even though I might hate or dislike certain things like my panic anxiety and depression, I love myself. I love being me. - Steemit on the other hand, have forced me to become someone I am not.
- Steemit forced me, without having the intention of changing me.
I have been manipulated by Steemit and Steemians. I have been a target without even knowing it. And without Steemit and Steemians knowing it. - I was subconsciously allowing myself to become a target.
I had to become a better person. I had to become a better author. I had to become some sort of expert in certain fields. I had to share personal stories and things from my personal life. I had to share awesome photos and I had to become a person others could appreciate and support. - I had to do all these things to get noticed. To build my reputation, my following and my credibility. - I had to change and become a different person to be rewarded and to get recognition...
- And I obviously failed.
These things are mumbo-jumbo. I don't need to become someone else. My past speaks for itself. Even Dan Larimer gave me support one year ago. - He saw something of value. - If he could see it, why couldn't I?
- Why was I struggling for so long to become someone else?
In this article, I will tell you the truth.
I joined Steemit and started out like any other Steemian out there. - A bit skeptical and amazed.
I joined as 
I did everything I could, to make more. To get more. To reap more benefits and to become a better Steemian. An established Steemian. During the process until today, I changed.
I thought I was trying to adapt which is what most others would do, but I never adapted. - I changed.
I got lucky and I had a handful of posts reaping hundreds of dollars in rewards. I got superb comments from authors we know today as some of Steemit's "best" or "most established" ones. - I've talked with hundreds of Steemians during my time here... And I've never been selfish or acted greedy.
I've always helped people around me and I've even considered myself to be a support pillar. - Even so, I did literally everything I could to make more. To get the most out of Steemit. - Not in terms of money itself, but in terms of everything Steemit has to offer.
With only one goal in mind, I failed.
I analyzed things, I tried to publish articles in certain niches I knew specific whales would be interested in. I tried to tweak my articles to sound more "professional" in some sense and I did many things in an attempt to "look good" and to be a good Steemian. - I did all these things, to become a known blogger on Steemit. To become a person others would love, like, appreciate and support. - In the end of it all, I did all these things, so I could be more than I am.
- And that doesn't work.
Never again will I allow myself to become a different person due to others.
None of you or no one in the entire world would be me better than me. I am the best version of me there is.
Never will I write 2000 word long articles because others tells me that longer articles is better. Never will I allow myself to be manipulated into publishing articles I don't want to publish. - Why should I?
Because someone told me that some of the wealthiest Steemit whales are interested in that specific subject? - Hell no!
Why should I write a 2000 word long article when I can publish a 500 word one with equal "meat" and quality? - That's just stupid.
Guidelines are awesome and I appreciate everything I've learned and the knowledge and experience I've gained. I am thankful for other Steemians contributions and I appreciate the time they've taken to share their insights and experiences too... - But I am not them.
My journey will be different compared to others. I decide my own future. - And so should you!
What I have done in the past works for me. What I have done these latest months have worked for me too, but I wasn't the same man I once where. - I need to go back to my own roots. I need to find myself again.
I still believe that everyone should take into consideration what others say. Longer articles for instance, are often generating higher rewards than shorter ones. - That's nothing but pure facts. However, you cannot change who you are just to fill the needs of others.
Be true to yourself. Be you, that's the best person you'll ever be.
Take it from me. A random, average Swede who've tried many different things... And failed.