Jan 11
Why I Am Giving Up Blogging and Starting to Write
Top writer status gives me a warm fuzzy…
I started blogging in 2019 to transition from full-time nursing to full-time retirement. January 2020 was the magic year to quit my nursing job and spend my days doing the things that made me happy. Of course, 24 hours a day is still not enough time. I have more hobbies than most people I know, and the hobbies I haven’t started yet are on my to-do list.
Still, the thought of not working and not being productive to society, my employer, or my patients left a bit of a fearful hole in my chest.
Blogging would be my answer. I could write, create, teach, and become an entrepreneur.
I repeatedly heard, “If you want to succeed, you have to invest your time and money,” so I took courses, read articles, paid for WordPress, Bluehost, Divi Theme builder, Convertkit, and Canva. I bought plugins galore. I spent countless hours on the phone with IT support when my site went bonkers. I created Pins, Instagram posts, Facebook pages and tweeted all about my blog. I even made a YouTube video that was awful, but hey, I was trying.
Three years of blood, sweat, and tears, and all I made was $46. I have no idea how much I spent but trust me, it was more than $46.
Trying to build a following was like asking a stranger on the street, “Hey, you wanna be my friend?”
I tried to give away checklists, E-books and sell my own children for an email address. It was pathetic.
Then, I stumbled on Medium. I submitted a couple of my older articles and immediately got feedback and some claps. I never got that kind of encouragement with my blog.
I have continued to write and submit articles to Medium. I don’t have to code, design, worry about sharing on social media if I don’t want to. I don’t even have to pay anything to submit my articles. I choose to subscribe to Medium because I get so much from collaborating and supporting other writers in the way they support and encourage me. I also love having access to such a diverse and incredible array of literature.
Today, I got an email from Medium announcing that I am a top writer in the Food category. Woo hoo!! I don’t know if that is a big deal or not, but it gives me hope that my work is being read and appreciated.
My next milestone will be when I reach 100 followers, and then perhaps I can see a little bread in my basket.
I haven’t completely pulled the plug on my blog yet, but that time is getting closer.
To all of you who read my articles, clapped, or responded with encouragement and feedback, I thank you.
I may feel differently about Medium in a month, six months, or a year but right now, I am excited and inspired to continue writing instead of blogging.
