Chapter 1: My Decision to Leave College

After navigating three majors over three years, I made the tough decision to leave college. I felt a strong urge to quit, yet my desire to learn remained. I gave it a couple more chances but ultimately faced failure. Much like a toxic relationship, sometimes the hardest choice is to keep trying. In hindsight, this drawn-out struggle has only strengthened my resolve.

Interestingly, I wasn’t particularly worried about lacking a plan. Throughout my time in college, I dedicated myself to various personal projects, ranging from foreign exchange trading to completing a six-month data science course in just three months. My interests were diverse, but writing had never been one of them.

Despite my comfort with uncertainty, as my college plans crumbled and both a business venture and a relationship seemed uncertain, I discovered solace in writing, pursuing it out of necessity.

Keep in mind, I was a complete novice. English is my second language, and I hadn’t engaged in "creative writing" during my schooling. Strangely, I reached my twenties without ever reading or purchasing a single book; I had always disliked reading.

Now, six months into my journey on Medium, I have moved past the initial phase of enthusiasm and am here for the long haul.

The first video titled "Here's the Truth About Writing on Medium…" dives into the realities of writing on the platform and offers insights that resonate with my experience.

Chapter 2: The Early Days of Writing

The beginning was chaotic. I wrote 42 pieces over 180 days without a clear "niche" or "voice," averaging about half a story a week. To put this into perspective, it typically takes around 700 long-form articles to earn between $500 and $1000 monthly on Medium. At this rate, it would take me eight years to reach a four-figure income.

This may sound absurd, but it's not entirely accurate.

You can't expect to jump from zero to a daily writing habit overnight. It’s a gradual ramp-up process, and because our initial efforts tend to be quite poor, even a small amount of work can significantly boost your productivity.

Utilizing time blocks for writing, maintaining a calendar, conducting thorough research, taking organized notes, and generating ideas in batches can all enhance your speed and quality if you allow them to.

Initially, I struggled with consistency. In October 2022, I published just one story, while other times I published three consecutively. Early growth can be quite messy. Remarkably, I achieved over a 1000% increase in productivity, going from an average of 0.23 stories per week to four in a single week, reflecting an approximate 1750% boost.

This isn’t insane; it’s simply compounding progress.

The thrill of comparing my progress to my past self is invigorating. If I can continue to outdo my former self each year, I might wake up one day as a leading writer!

Chapter 3: The Significance of My First Earnings

I celebrated my first dollar over a glass of gin.

Believe it or not, that single dollar holds transformative power. It grants you the confidence to adopt the identity of a "Paid Professional Writer." It’s a badge of authenticity. Anyone who doubts your status can take a back seat; it’s a fact now.

However, this dollar also symbolizes a harsh truth: you are, in fact, an entrepreneur.

The journey of building an online presence without immediate financial reward can be challenging, especially since many equate their worth with salary figures. The only reliable path is to develop your skills to the point where the market recognizes and compensates you.

While this process takes time, it is not impossible. The real insanity lies in becoming overly dependent on a salary, thinking it’s a safer way to achieve wealth compared to building long-term assets.

When it comes to ownership and leverage, online earnings often differ significantly from traditional salaries.

Chapter 4: The Journey to 100 Stories

Achieving one hundred stories may not seem like much. Initially, I aimed to publish 100 stories before reaching 100 followers, hoping for a 1:1 "story to followers" ratio. In retrospect, that was a silly goal, as 100 stories felt like an overwhelming task.

In truth, it’s quite minor.

As Neil Gaiman once said, “Assume that you have a million words inside you that are absolute rubbish and you need to get them out before you get to the good ones. And if you get there early, that’s great.”

I write for the joy of it. This form of self-expression offers an advantage in many aspects of life, and I would gladly trade my late twenties for the experience.

From this perspective, my real starting line is 100 stories away. It feels like a mere warm-up, as I aspire to publish 1000 times but want to embody the spirit of a writer first.

Chapter 5: Embracing the Journey

The world should celebrate humble beginnings more often.

A narrative from a struggling writer resonates more than the flashy success stories. Authenticity fosters connection. It’s vital to present this version of reality.

Let go of outcomes; worrying about what’s beyond your control is futile. Focusing on action has led me to produce more stories than planning or reading ever did. The satisfaction of having written and shared my work with the world is unparalleled.

Here’s the reality of my six-month writing journey on Medium: it still feels like day zero. Nothing substantial has happened yet, and I’m perfectly okay with that. I still have around 60 stories to write before I can genuinely consider myself alongside more established writers.

Most importantly, I’m enjoying the process! Every piece of work feels like an introduction to a narrative that could be life-changing. The internet reshapes the concept of luck, so if you find yourself in a similar situation, stay healthy and prepare for the slow yet exhilarating ride that lies ahead.

The second video titled "Why Are So Many Medium Publications Leaving??" provides insights into the challenges faced by writers on the platform, aligning with my experiences thus far.