Steemit Ultimate Challenge 8 Weeks - Week #5: What Steemit Has Done To Me

Here's an entry to the #steemitultimatechallenge by @dobartim. You may check out the contest information and rules here :) It is my first time participating this contest, so I sure hope I'm doing it right and hopefully I fulfill the criteria.

I joined Steemit towards the end of December 2017. According to steemd.com, I have been here for 76 days, that's like slightly more than two months, woo-hoo! Not that long compared to those who have been here for years and at least a year. Still, Steemit has changed me within such a span.

Make It Happen!

_{Image Source: Pexels}

As a full-time mother at home, I usually blog and post, reply and comment from my smartphone as I am with my child most of the time. Steemit has made me feel that I have not grown stagnant and I can contribute. Besides having other readers, I'm my most loyal and faithful reader. Hahaha I read my posts over and over as sometimes they are my reminders and motivations. I feel "useful" again and Steemit has added many new excitements for me! I think if I want, I can make Steemit happen for me.

Here's what Steemit has done to me @happycrazycon:

I relive a dream to write.

_{Image Source: Pexels}

I have almost forgotten about a little dream or hobby I had but Steemit has made me relive it. When I was in high school, I took one of my exercise books and started writing fiction stories based on my imagination and the amount of novels/dramas I have watched or read. I wrote a few chapters on each character and my friends would read and be amused, sometimes contributing more ideas for my storyline. I never aim to be an author because of my limited vocabularies but I remember I love writing stories. It is always the option I would choose in essay writing. Back then, I really enjoyed whenever it was a writing exam.

It pushes me out of my comfort zone.

_{Image Source: Pixabay}

Steemit is a good earning platform. The money is attractive though I'm not just here for the money. But I'm STILL here for the money. I would love to have my earnings from here to settle some debts which have been my greatest headaches. I have yet to see big financial improvement in my lifestyle as what I have earned so far is pumped back into my steem power to power up. Still, I have managed to make some SBDs and won some little contests here and there. I'm looking forward to cash out my first payment from Steemit, when my wallet manages to reach a certain amount. I'm deeply encouraged by my husband who has withdrawn his Steem to put into other crytocurrency investment and my sister-in-law who has cashed out her first payout when Steem price was higher.

I got to know about this platform from my husband @danielwong who has been in it earlier. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical or rather dare not try. I was scared if no one want to read my stuff, or I can't create interesting content or even my life is less interesting/attractive compared to others. You know, I have been in my comfort zone as a stay-at-home mom and it sort of made me stay put, not wanting to take new risks anymore. It is a bit unhealthy for my soul actually. But now, he may regret introducing Steemit to me, because he sometimes jokes with me saying he has "lost" his wife, oops! Just like I "lost" my husband before this, we are now "lost in it together" 😜

So far, I have pushed myself to do drawing which I have no talent in, do my best to take good shots including parking by the roadside, crossing the road and taking a photo on a road divider, write even when I don't feel like writing, continue to post even when my payout is low.

It makes me want to improve myself and learn.

_{Image Source: Pixabay}

I think I'm slowly discovering my niche and I know how much time I need to spend to produce which type of content. Compared to when I first started, I can plan my time better to think, research and post as well. Of course, I would like to thank many of you who have posted useful links too. I learn about smart tags from @maverickfoo and how to write better from many of you great writers. I enjoy reading your posts so much and apply what you have written about into my own writing. It is like I suddenly got exposed to a reservoir of learning. I think we can almost find anything we want to learn here, with the amount of brains we have here.

Besides that, I have learnt to express myself better and articulate my thoughts. It seems that I can write and type better than speak. I tend to get nervous when I have to respond right on the spot. I am the type I need to calm myself down before I speak. As I write more, I realize I can respond better because I have been practising with writing. This has helped myself in my daily communication with others as I put more effort to understand others and make myself be understood as well.

Inspired by many moms and homemakers, I realize I too can do something from home besides taking care of the house and my child. It makes me diligent and I also set daily goals to achieve. Short term goals are easier to achieve and it does great things to the self confidence as well!

It makes me think.

_{Image Source: Pexels}

I am determined to produce a post a day to keep myself committed and serious on this platform. So, my brain is more active than before. I would be thinking more and slacking less. It gives me a new momentum honestly. Sometimes, I would draft a few contents and whenever I don't have much time to start writing from the beginning, I would resort to my drafts. So some of my lengthy posts aren't produced in just a day, because I sit on my thoughts before I post at times. Sometimes, I post according to my gut. My brain is more awakened and not as dormant as before. It also helps me to be more open-minded.

I have learnt about even greater diversity on this platform and yet everyone's uniqueness contribute to the variety we can find on this platform.

Thinking keeps me active and going. It makes me dare to dream again and also re-calibrate my ability to be resourceful as well as responsible. It increases my confidence to offer advices as well because I feel I have something to offer again from my humble seemingly mundane life.

It makes me take more notice of things in my surroundings.

_{Image Source: Pexels}

With contests everywhere on Steemit, my eyes are deliberately opening wider to look and search for things. Special shout-out to @googlyeyes' #GooglyPrize contest, #makemesmile by @elizacheng, #dailyfoodphotography by @howtostartablog, #popcontest by @karenmckersie and many more that I may have missed out, I have really been searching high and low, scrutinizing every small details to take photos and give my attention. It actually de-stresses me A LOT!

Hence, I strongly believe that blogging and writing on Steemit is therapeutic. I have come to closure with many of the things that I haven't been able to just process in my thoughts before. My souls is more at rest as I blog. It helps with my wholesomeness.

It makes me connect with communities that I may not have thought of.

_{Photo by @orangila}

I was introduced to #teammalaysia based on my regional area and location where I connect with a whole bunch of individuals. We even had an offline Chinese New Year gathering/ meetup recently to meet the real faces and bond. I am amazed by how friendships bloom through such a platform and organizing events together. We have met three to four times from January till February. Not sure if it's tapping on the convenience of being in the same place geographically but I know my witness @bitrocker2020 and some others who are willing to fly to different states to promote Steemit to others, organizing boot camps and workshops. Talking about passion, huh!

Another community I am in is #steemitbloggers which has a lot of quality content creators. We are scattered all around the world and geographically it could have been impossible for us to connect, but sometimes, it feels like they are my neighbours next door. I got to know many awesome individuals and also joined in their fun besides learning from them. Thank you so much for having me.

Discord servers and channels have been excellent tools for us to communicate and bond. When my nephew was admitted to the hospital lately, I was overwhelmed by the care and prayers these communities have shown, even though I'm not his mom but just his aunt. Imagine how touched his mom would be. Honestly, I'm really quite shocked how communities with total strangers would be so supportive towards each other, crossing nations, beliefs, religions and race. With everyone's freedom to speak, there is still honour and respect, which is what I truly admire.

One last thing that Steemit has done to me is
.......
............
...............

It has got me hooked up and loving GIFs!

_{GIF Source: Giphy}

I think many of you can identify this with me, Hahahaha! Or maybe you have been liking them since before Steemit. GIFs have ways to cheer up my days and they always give me a "lighter" day. Seems like we have managed to influenced a few more new friends to participate the fun as well!

---

These are just two cents from me, on how Steemit has changed my life. I want to thank you and you and you who have contributed to Steemit in whichever means, read and supported me during my time here. Steemit has been a pleasant experience for me in these two months. I needed something which I can do it while still having time with my child at home. Steemit sometimes sounds too good to be true but it helps me earn while still bond with my child and family. Moreover, it makes me take notice of their lives more. I feel more driven and more determined in many ways. It is as if I have become "alive" again and there are many things to look forward to each day. In conclusion, I think Steemit is a platform that empowers!

_{Animated Banner Created By @zord189}