The Life of a Steemer

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Introduction

I don't know about you, but recently I've experienced a mind bending array of emotions and thoughts regarding the launch of Steem and Steemit. To say that it has been a challenge to comprehend what this platform is, how it's economics work, the numerous implications it's very existence brings and my place within it is a gross understatement. For a start, both fundamental and superficial changes are happening all the time, both to the platform and to me. It is very difficult to keep up.

I've been through bouts of addiction, episodes of love and hate, I've had arguments with my fiancé about much time i'm spending 'off with the fairies.' Suddenly, I find myself balancing a job, my family, crypto, exercise, rest, sustenance and steemit. I've had bouts of anxiety about how and what to post as an almost overwhelming desire to read, connect, comment, curate and create for Steemit built up. The desire to contribute does not necessarily come from the economics, I don't believe it did for me. It came from wanting to find a niche, to establish a reputation, to protect my investment and to start realizing the potential of Steem for everyone, right now. Basically, I was on a burnout trajectory....maybe not today, maybe not next month, but it was in the post. I wonder how many other Steemers have felt the same?

Saved by the Vision

Then I remembered something. The Steem platform was built in order to realize a vision. That vision is to build tools that protect everyone's life, liberty and property. The vision is many many years old now and has taken countless man hours, countless innovations and countless contributions from all over the world. Steem and Steemit are the latest iteration on the journey to realize that vision and I would hope every Steemer knows by now, that Daniel Larimer is one of it's chief architects. Why is that important? It's important to me because I had allowed myself to believe that Steem was the end of the journey and that we were moments away from achieving all those lofty goals. I went from tortoise into hare mode......and we all know what happened to the hare.

Steem is an ocean

Steem and it's potential is as vast as the ocean. How much does one person know about the ocean? It's often said that collectively, we know more about the surface of the moon than the deeps of the ocean. In that context, whale or minnow, we are all small fish. I needed a fresh perspective. One that would enable me to build Steem and it's children into my life permanently but positively. I've written this post to share with you my conclusions and how i'm going to attempt to implement them in the hope that you find them useful. I can be the only one getting themselves into a pickle!

There is a place for all kinds of content on Steemit and you can see that there are many content producers that are very successfully adapting to this new kind of social media platform. I would urge you not to compare yourselves with those who have established networks already, are clearly experts in their fields or have the support of a number of people behind their account or accounts from a producing or curation point of view. There is no need to feel competitive because there is ample space for everyone to post out a niche.....and plenty of time!

What do I want out of Steemit?

• to connect with people by offering any insight I might have, especially about steemit and blockchains
• to help define a new kind of online culture based on civility
• to help bring the intrinsic value of blockchain technology to everyone
• to use the Steem to do something positive in the real world
• to learn
• to have a creative outlet
• to generate and preserve an alternate source of value

How will I achieve those objectives without burnout?

• take my time by reducing posting frequency and increasing curation
• take regular breaks from Steemit
• keep a note of ideas and weed out the bad ones.....you should see the crap I don't post!
• be the tortoise and play the long game
• focus on my strengths, such as they are and try to develop them
• focus more on adding value to Steemit & Steemers rather than myself
• focus on a couple of things at a time and build a real world structure of organisation around them, including support from family and friends;

For example. I'm passionate about the SteemClean initiative and would dearly love to see it take off. I realize I need to do more to make that happen and support those who have expressed an interest in the idea. It will take time and effort, something that is in limited supply.....so be it.

I'll continue to do my Steememes and Steem thoughts, if and when they pop into my head.

I'd like to do more creative writing.

Conclusion

I guess there isn't really a conclusion. These are all musings and plans that I hope to implement. They may or may not come to fruition, they may or may not help me to be a more relaxed and happy Steemer. I intend to try though.

Many Steemers will already be lightyears ahead of this and will be far down the road to mobilizing, organizing, building and marketing, getting the absolute most out of Steemit and to help her and the Steem platform grow. This post is really for anyone feeling a touch swamped!

I hope you found something of use. I wish you all the best and happy Steeming!!