The Harsh Reality of Writing on Medium… $0.01 a Day

Is that all that my thoughts are worth?

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I don’t write because words pour out of me…nor do I write because I love it…if I’m being honest. I write because my mind is overflowing…with emotions, ideas, questions, and endless curiosities about the world. Writing is my way of offloading these constant, extra-time brain activities. It allows me to breathe and for my head to finally have a rest.

I started writing on Medium a year ago, on and off. I was slightly more successful at first. Maybe because I put more effort into connecting with others, but my income was noticeably higher.

Even though writing is a release for me, and probably most of you, I am a money-orientated person, as ugly as it sounds. I’m always looking for financial compensation for my efforts in this world.

Deep down, I’m forever searching to find something I’m truly great at. I’m good at lots of things…multi-talented, you might say….but I’ve never felt great at anything.

After all my evenings of pouring my thoughts and soul into my writing, I earn about $0.01 a day, if I’m lucky (lol). That is the reality of the average Joe on Medium.

Am I disappointed? Yes…obviously. Those thoughts are precious to me. So precious and private that I can’t share my writing with anyone I know. My vulnerability is only available to you…the people that don’t know me.

And they’re worth 0.01€.

I never expected to get rich. Just a little validation of what I have to say. A sign that what I feel and experience resonates with someone out there.

But no, I remain in the shadows, bearing my soul to no one in particular (lol again).

Am I really that unremarkable? Are my thoughts too common, my writing skills so poor, or my way of expressing my feelings too simple?

Or is Medium simply so oversaturated?

Is it me? Or is it the platform?

Should I continue to write as a form of emotional release with zero monetary compensation or should I give up and go meditate? :)

I write because it’s the most rewarding way I’ve found to soothe my overactive brain. It brings me a sense of calm that I struggle to find elsewhere. And maybe, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter whether people appreciate what I write or not.

If it gives me emotional tranquillity, isn’t that worth its weight in gold?♡

Thanks for reading! I hope this article resonated with you. Your thoughts and insights mean a lot, so please leave a comment. What are your experiences on Medium as a writer?

See you in the next post! — Louise :)