...On This Day, August 31, 2017 and most importantly to me, I joined Steemit...

In the beginning, I was a little apprehensive. I didn't know what it really was, or how to use it. I started posting random things and saw little response. But, as I delved deeper into the platform, I noticed that I made friends and followers.

I started entering writing and photography contests and I also started a contest myself. Lymmerik's Limericks. I started interacting with other posts and people here on Steemit as well. I was really active for the first six or eight months and it slowly fell off to near nothing. Perhaps a post or three a week, then a post or so a month.

Why did my posts drop off?

To tell you the truth, I didn't hold myself to posting every day or so. I didn't really lose interest, because I check it everyday and read a variety of posts, I just don't post that often anymore. So what made me slow down on my posts?

I started working more on my house. I went back to pottery classes, and I am traveling a little more. Start a travel blog/vlog they said. Fair enough, but I usually only travel close to home and I live in the desert, so the photos pale in comparison to the world travelers who post about their travels to exotic lands and post exotic photos.

In regards to my house, I bought an unfinished straw bale home several years ago in the desert of Southeastern Arizona, and, being on a fixed income, work on it is slow at best. I know, I know, excuses are the tools of the incompetent. But for me, finishing my home is of top priority and each day I complete (or start) a project. I love my home and sometimes feel overwhelmed by all that needs to be done, and I don't feel like creating a post at 10 o'clock at night.

Perhaps, I should post about my straw bale home? Maybe. I do take photos of my projects. Let me know in the comments if that would be of interest to you.

With that said, today is a special day for me.

One year ago today, as I said, I joined Steemit. I may not always say it, but I really love Steemit, for a number of reasons. It is decentralized and I feel that it is a return to freedom of speech. It removes the seemingly all encompassing advertisers that overwhelm the pleasure of being on social media platforms. It allows content creators freedom to express themselves. It brings back to the platforms the opportunity to be scrutinized by our peers.

As I celebrate this milestone, I would like to thank each and every one of you who have read, upvoted (or not), commented (or not) and resteemed my posts (or not). Thank you!

What does Steemit mean to me, today, one year later?

Steemit, although I have neglected it, means that I can express my thoughts, feelings, and creativity. Steemit brings me to a level playing ground with everyone here. Steemit gives me hope that the people of the world, not matter their status, can express themselves without the fear of reprisal.

All in all, I enjoy Steemit, and I will, at some point run out money for projects on my house and be inspired again to post more frequently here on Steemit.

Thank you, again, to everyone who have been a part of my blog here and I hope that on August 31, 2019, I can look back at year two and say with more vim and vigor, that I have participated more here on Steemit.

Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings!

@Lymmerik