The sad story of my first featured story on medium

When Recognition Feels Like Empty Validation

I poured my heart into an article, and the response was thrilling at first — 78 claps, 1 thoughtful comment, and even getting featured on the platform. It felt like my words had finally reached an audience that appreciated them.

But then came the harsh reality check: zero earnings. Not a single cent for the hours I spent researching, writing, and revising till this date.

It’s frustrating, isn’t it? To see your work appreciated, even celebrated, but not valued in a tangible way. Writing is an art, yes, but it’s also labor. And like any other labor, it deserves fair compensation.

This experience makes me wonder: how much are platforms really supporting creators? Sure, they offer visibility, but is visibility enough when creators are left struggling to turn that into something sustainable?

For now, I’ll keep writing — because it’s what I love. But I hope for a future where creators are rewarded for more than just the number of claps they receive.

What do you think? Would you like to tweak it?