Confessions of a Medium Writer: Or, Why I Write 500 Words for $3.27
Let’s be honest, we’ve all seen the “I Made $10,000 in a Month on Medium!” articles. Usually accompanied by a photo of someone dramatically typing on a Macbook at a beachside café.
Newsflash: That’s not me. I write from my couch, in yoga pants, frequently getting interrupted by my cat who thinks my keyboard is a scratching post. And my monthly earnings? Let’s just say they fall somewhere between “barely covering my caffeine addiction” and “maybe I can afford avocado toast this week.”
So, why do I do it? Why subject myself to the whims of the algorithm, the grammar pedants in the comments section, and the crushing realization that more people read my grocery list than my carefully crafted prose?
Well, friends, it’s complicated.
1. The Illusion of Freedom:
Freelancing, they said. Be your own boss, set your own hours, they said. Little did I know that “being your own boss” translates to “answering emails at 2 am” and “wearing pajamas for a week straight.” Don’t get me wrong, the freedom is intoxicating. But let’s just say the learning curve is more like a learning cliff, and I’m clinging on for dear life.
2. The Validation Void:
