A Small Win and Big Joy of Earning My First Dollar on Medium
Why my first dollar on Medium means more than money
Dear Duniyawaalo (People of the World),
Have you ever been so excited about something so small that you felt like a million bucks and the world is your oyster?
That is precisely how I feel today after earning my first dollar from writing on Medium.
On June 04, 2024, I published my first post, in which I reluctantly and with bated breath introduced myself and shared my journey.
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
I used to wonder why anyone would want to listen to my stories or learn from the lessons that have helped me grow as a person.
I am just a regular guy with no special skills or certification. I have learned everything I know about mindful and healthy living from the internet — watching, listening, and reading. I didn’t feel I was doing anything special because many people are doing what I do and are far better at it.
Even with all the things that I was able to achieve in my ongoing journey, I struggled with imposter syndrome. If I am being honest, I am still dealing with it to an extent, but now that I have started sharing my journey, its effects have begun to lessen.
What’s funny is that I didn’t even know I was dealing with imposter syndrome until I came across a YouTube video. That was like an Ah-ha moment for me.
Breaking the Ice with My First Post
Writing and submitting my first post to the About Me Stories publication was terrifying and exhilarating.
I wasn’t sure if my story would be accepted, let alone published. When the editor contacted me and told me how much he loved reading it, it made my day.
Reading that note was one of the highlights of my life. Thank You, Quy Ma.
To my surprise and joy, people read and commented on my post, making me realize my words had an impact and meant something to someone I didn’t even know. For that, I will always be eternally grateful.
A Moment of Unimaginable Joy
When I saw that first dollar come in, the joy was unimaginable. It wasn’t just about the money — it was about validation. I had earned a dollar doing something I wanted to do and was passionate about.
It represented my leap of faith and the beginning of my journey of sharing stories and hoping to inspire others.
Celebrating Small (or even Micro) Wins
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it is that I need to celebrate my wins, no matter how small or micro.
Each little victory builds my confidence and reminds me how far I have come and that I am making progress. These small wins keep me motivated and help me believe in myself more and more each day.
Gratitude and Encouragement
I want to express my gratitude to my family and friends, who encouraged me, believed in me, and repeatedly insisted that I share my journey. Their support has been invaluable and meant a lot to me.
If you are reading this and hesitating to start something because of self-doubt, take that leap of faith.
Celebrate every small win because they add up to bigger and better achievements.
Please feel free to share your own story in the comments. When was the last time you felt excited over something small, like you were on top of the world, but forgot to celebrate?
Let’s celebrate together!
Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
Welcome Aboard!
❤️ Rajneesh