My One Year Medium Journey

One year back, I did not plan to become a writer.

I was not looking for followers, money, or recognition. Writing was not even on my list. Everything began with a simple conversation between my best friend

 and me.

We were having a normal discussion when he started talking about how he began writing during the COVID days. He told me how he used to write almost every day at that time. Not for fame. Not for money. Just to express his thoughts and clear his mind.

Listening to him made me curious.

He motivated me to write on Medium. But instead of jumping straight into writing, I thought I should start by reading first. I believed I would read for a few months and then start writing later.

So I started reading.

As time passed, something slowly changed inside me. Reading other people’s stories made me feel connected. Their words made me think. And without realizing it, I felt the urge to write my own thoughts.

I wrote my first article.

I did not share them with anyone. I did not tell anyone about them. I just wrote and kept them there quietly.

Later, Vivek asked me when I was going to start writing on Medium. I told him that I had already written two articles there.

He was very happy to hear this. He immediately checked both of my pieces. He followed me and asked me to correct the mistakes I had made. I did that and slowly started learning many things. Even today, he guides me whenever I need his help.

He became my first follower on Medium.

That moment meant more to me than I can explain. When someone believes in you from the very beginning, it gives you a different kind of confidence.

He did not stop at following me.

He guided me on how to join the Medium Partner Program. He explained how publications work. He pointed out mistakes I was making and showed me how to correct them. He shared his experiences honestly and patiently.

He is an amazing writer. A mentor. And more importantly, an amazing human being.

I am deeply grateful for that one conversation with Vivek. It started everything.

You can follow him on X as well.

Reading Came First

When I started reading on Medium, I noticed something interesting. Most writers did not share free links. To read their articles, I had to take a Medium premium membership.

At first, I hesitated.

But my curiosity won.

I took the premium just to read articles. Slowly, reading became a daily habit. I read about life, technology, experiences, and personal growth. The more I read, the more I felt connected to the writers.

And without realizing it, my interest in writing started growing.

Writing Without Telling Anyone

At the beginning, I wrote articles but did not share them with anyone. I was too shy and did not have much confidence because it was my first time writing. I knew nothing about storytelling, and I was worried about grammar mistakes and small errors.

I did not have the courage to publish them, so I wrote only for myself to see how it felt. And it felt amazing.

Since then, I have written more than 65 stories. Now I do not feel shy at all. I share my thoughts on Medium without any filter, and it feels freeing. Over this one year, I learned a lot about storytelling by reading others’ work and by writing regularly. It made a huge difference.

I am glad I started. If you are shy or an introvert like me, you can start too. If I can do it, you can do it.

Learning and Growing

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After that, I started writing regularly.

I did not limit myself to one topic. I wrote about technology. I wrote personal stories. I wrote about festivals and experiences. Every topic taught me something new.

Writing slowly became a part of my routine. My journey moved from one follower to one hundred. Then to five hundred. And eventually to one thousand followers.

I recently crossed 1,000 followers on Medium. This journey from one follower to more than one thousand truly makes me happy. It taught me that consistency plays a huge role. If you write regularly and read other people’s work as well, you will grow.

I still remember the first time I submitted an article to a publication. I waited for two to three days. When it finally got published, it made me extremely happy.

With publications, you need to be very patient. They take time to review your work, evaluate everything, and follow their rules. If your article meets their guidelines, they will publish it. So patience and following their rules really matter.

I also remember when my first article earned a few cents. I used to check every day, wondering if people were reading it and if it was really making money. Seeing that on my dashboard felt unreal.

I wrote my first articles without joining the Medium Partner Program. Later, I added them to the paywall, and they started earning.

Even now, whenever I publish a new article, I check my stats. I like seeing how it performs and what it earns.

I met many amazing writers on Medium. I enjoy reading stories from my feed, not only from people I follow but also from writers with interesting titles. If a title catches my attention, I read it right away.

Through this journey, I learned that titles and subtitles make a huge difference. Now I pay close attention to them in my own stories as well.

Getting Paid to Write

I received my first payout after three months.

It was not a big amount, but it felt very special. It was proof that my words had value and that someone was actually reading what I wrote.

After that, I started getting paid almost every month. Each payout, even a small one, motivated me to keep writing and stay consistent.

But more than money, writing gave me confidence. It gave me clarity. It helped me express my thoughts better and understand myself more.

Today, I genuinely enjoy writing.

It feels good to put my thoughts into words and publish them. Writing gives me immense pleasure. It helps me slow down and reflect. It helps me understand myself better.

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A Small Suggestion for You

If you are thinking about writing, give it a try.

You do not need to be perfect. You do not need to be an expert. You just need to start.

Do not feel shy or scared about mistakes. Everyone starts somewhere. Grammar, storytelling, and confidence all improve with time. Focus on expressing your thoughts honestly. Write for yourself first, not for numbers or validation.

When you write for the first time and publish it, you will feel something different. It is a mix of fear, excitement, and happiness. That feeling is worth experiencing.

So just start.

I am really glad I started writing, and I am sure you will feel the same once you begin.

If you enjoy stories that help you learn, live, and work better, consider subscribing. If this article provided you with value, please consider buying me a coffee — only if you can afford it. You can also connect with me on X. Thank you!