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I think it’s okay to say I’m a Steem Veteran, joining in July 2016 just four months after the blockchain launched! I have seen so many changes along the way, good and bad but I’m still here regardless. I told the story before about how I left for awhile because I didn’t have time to figure out the learning curve. I decided to come back and take the time to learn how to make a home here by joining communities, being supportive of others, reading and researching everything.

I know there are other Steemit frontends to use now but I tend to stick mainly with posting on this end. I feel I have worked so hard to understand it, learning markdown and how to surf around that I don’t want to move on. Those of you who have been around since the beginning even before some of the improvements, knows how much effort it took to figure this stuff out. I’m still enjoying that accomplishment and choose to keep doing as I have done. 😜 Maybe sometime down the line I will use other frontends since they are more user friendly and have added features and benefits to enjoy.

Contributions

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I think it’s good to reflect back on the input and contributions you have added to any forum. It helps keep in perspective why we choose to stay and continue being committed. It reminds us of the value and uniqueness that each of us as individuals bring to the table.

Giving My Time and Energy -

For the last 3 years I have spent an incredible amount of time working hard to add valuable quality content to the platform for viewers to enjoy and relate to. Since the launch of Steemit its leaders have paved the way for this social media site to stand in a new light of it’s own. Not only earning crypto while having fun but doing so in a way that will be attractive to visitors. We aren’t a community that just throws posts together for the sake of earning but we emphasize the importance of quality in doing so. As I continued learning and growing here I picked up tips along the way to make my posts of it’s best quality from the writing to the pictures. If you have been here for any amount of time and have shared informative content, made someone laugh, turned a frown upside down with a photo or started an interesting conversation from your posts...congratulations you have contributed by adding value.

Creating a Home for the Needle Arts -

This is definitely my biggest contribution and achievement to the Steemit platform! I say biggest because of the responses I have received from the #NeedleWorkMonday community. Quite a few of our members have shared with me if it wasn’t for the @needleworkmonday community they would have never stayed. It’s lonely first starting out here so connecting and getting involved with people and communities is vital! Because of this needlework faction many needle artists feel at home when sharing their creations and enjoy spending time with like minded people whom support them. I feel needlework has come alive again and so many have been inspired by these creative artists that love doing what they do.

Building Up the Mamas of Steemit -

When the mamas got together to revamp our community we had no idea what direction it would go. A few ladies began pitching in and adding their ideas and skills to help figure it all out. After I came up with our subline,

Supporting one another from across the globe

@khimgoh asked if I could help out in a few other areas and before you know it I was listed as one of the moderators on Discord and helping out with curation, contests, promoting our mamas etc. I love being apart of the @steemitmamas. I haven’t been as active and hands on there lately due to time limits. However I try to balance my home life with my social life fitting in time for leisure. I am hoping the activity in this community picks back up. Everyone has been so busy and some are dealing with life changing situations.

Communities

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I have to take the time to thank the communities that have kept me involved, interested, challenged, learning, supported and have been a source of many new found friendships. Communities give you a sense of belongingness and I have gained so much from being apart of them.

@needleworkmonday
@steemusa
@familyprotection
@steemitmamas
@thesteemengine
@naturalmedicine
@homesteaderscoop
@qurator
@freedomtribe
@c-squared
@ntopaz

Communities like these are what keeps me excited about logging on every week and continuing to explore here. Thank you to all of the supportive leaders and members that have supported and encouraged me! You are Awesome! 😎

People/Groups

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I’m always afraid to list people because I don’t want to miss anyone. But this is a special occasion so I will attempt to list the names of influential Steemians who have helped me along my journey. Those who saw potential in me from the beginning and gave me a boost of confidence by their upvotes and resteems, those who have shared many tips of the trade on how to become a better blogger and photographer and helpful info for crypto newbs like myself. I have gained so many new insights on parenting, homeschooling, protecting my family, living healthy, natural living, needlework and so much more. Some of these folks have not been around for awhile but I’m still listing them anyway. Thank you for inspiring me, being a friend and supporting me through it all...

@canadian-coconut, @markwhittam, @dswigle, @tattoodjay, @apanamamama, @squishysquid, @khimgoh, @happycrazycon, @metzli, @alimamasstory, @kaerpediem, @brittanjosie, @violetmed, @tali72, @enchantedspirit, @ethandsmith, @birdsinparadise, @awakentolife, @mumma-monza, @bengy, @beautifulbullies, @dmcamera, @littlenewthings, @sumatranate, @lymepoet, @natubat, @sultnpapper, @crystalize, @akipponn, @shanibeer, @marblely, @muscara, @carolinacardoza, @crowbarmama, @cryptocariad, @neumannsalva, @vliet, @mrscwin, @fabianaporteles, @fiberfrau, @fitinfun, @foxyspirit, @frejafri, @riverflows, @ginnyannette, @pouchon, @dylanhobalart, @goldendawne, @iamjadeline, @jamethiel, @jurich60, @pheonixwren, @misslasvegas, @jluvs2fly, @naomipangolin, @orangina, @rebeccabe, @romeskie, @sherylneil, @snowpea, @startreat, @sweetpea, @tahiaarq, @thekitchenfairy, @thistle-rock, @trucklife-family, @elizacheng, @bozz, @dreemsteem, @vanessamidwife, @xeliram, @pandicornio, @lturner, @ironshield, @nateonsteemit, @minismallholding, @artemislives, @erikah, @mountainjewel, @sagescrub, @steemflow, @thethreehugs, @walkerland, @zen-art, @pennsif, @abh12345, @arcange, @heimindanger, @richardcrill, @anouk.nox, @azizbd, @kryptocoin, @ladyrebecca, @vickiebarker, @enjoywithtroy, @mepatriot, @richq11, @article61, @veryspider, @eonwarped, @coinsandchains, @blacklux, @josephsavage, @ma1neevent, @blockbrothers, @kevinwong, @melinda010100, @sunscape, @tecnosgirl, @aggroed, @girlbeforemirror, @o07, @soyrosa, @mrgreen, @georgeboya, @joelai, @zord189, @twotripleow, @ivan-g, @hanedane, @wildwanderer, @helpiecake, @helpie, @catweasel, @aitommylr, @vincy, @fyrstikken, @paulag, @accelerator, @smeralda, @cafeconleche, @steemcommunity, @lordvdr, @sheilamenher, @elenka, @dizzyapple, @surpassinggoogle, @devyleona, @oceanmoon, @jicrochet, @anomadsoul, @rehan12, @felt.buzz, @elew, @innahandmade, @wondermaey, @rigaronib, @thriftymum, @kimmac, @mtnmeadowmomma, @lil-mich, @xorexman, @horazwiwik, @borrowedearth, @mamabear72, @coinbelly, @inna-yatsuk, @joalvarez, @ausbitbank, @fathin-shihab, @coruscate, @acidyo, @tiredmama, @roelandp, @geetharao, @allyinspirit, @brumest, @ewkaw, @anise, @hope777, @barbara-orenya, @thewoolynettle, @bedoodle, @papa-pepper, @everlove, @thuban, @jolly-homestead, @poeticsnake, @pumpkinandcats, @cleateles, @creative-life, @ninahaskin, @shakkei, @watchfulmomma, @doule, @wilx, @christian-trail, @allforthegood, @kiaraantonoviche, @dutchess, @daveks, @kalemandra, @kimbolo86, @penguinpablo, @stackin, @emima, @amberquamme, @solarsupermama, @inici-arte, @kaylinart, @creationofcare, @ecodesigns, @maribelf, @contestkings, @c-cubed, @life-relearnt, @garnet1, @carlgnash, @pempumaking, @taskmaster4450, @ireenchew, @buckaroo, @alphasteem, @steemymama, @brutledge, @katrina-ariel, @googlyeyes, @steemstem, @steemiteducation, @mumofmany, @redheadpei, @lizelle, @corrielaine, @khackett, @ladylei, @bigbear, @michelle.gent, @danielles, @teamsteem, @luthvarian, @lizgore, @naditinkoff, @redbone, @colleenthurber, @womenempowerment, @purplemoon, @steeminganarchy, @spacetrucker, @beccadeals, @matthewdavid, @followbtcnews, @sircork, @bitrocker2020, @marleyn, @wolfhart, @irenenavarrart, @barracudadiaries, @eglep, @vibesforlife, @curie, @ocd, @blocktrades

Wow that’s a lot of people that have inspired, influenced and supported me in some kind of way and I am truly grateful! I did get sad making this list, seeing some of the people that haven’t posted in a long time. I really miss seeing their content :(

Final Thoughts

I have only invested very few funds into Steem one time in 2018. My main investment has been my time and efforts. You can look at my wallet and see that lol! I was supposed to be a Dolphin by now! 😅 But hey I still would like to see that happen someday. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I can imagine the frustrations and disappointment of those who have invested their time and money into this plattform. I know that the price of Steem has a lot to do with the massive leave but also the powering down of big accounts scared people away too. I know some people who quit their jobs to become a full time blogger here so you can imagine how they feel. But everyone knows with crypto you are taking risks diving in and investing and nothing is promised.

So for me I choose to stay here and remain dedicated to the community’s I contribute to because I enjoy it! It’s not an obligation or a job but only enjoyment and that’s why it’s easy for me to hang around. It makes me sad how things are right now though. Sometimes when you post you hear crickets out there in the plattform and not many responses. But if my posts and contributions can encourage just one person then it’s still all worth it to me. Steemit has helped me learn so much and to become a better writer/blogger than I would have ever imagined I would be. It has helped me find new interests and to reach creative heights I had no idea were in me. Heck I am even more tech savvy now! 😁 This is my pastime, my hobby away from work at home so I don’t plan on going anywhere.

I’m not sure what the future holds for Steemit but I do know when you find something this Awesome it’s hard to just let it go even when things don’t seem as promising. I do pray for a miracle in that things will pick back up and the prices will drive high again. We need a revival up in this place! 😂

To those that are still here sharing and supporting I commend you! Continue to thrive and inspire!

Thank You! ❤️

Logo/Banner created by @rigaronib!