My growth within the last one year was largely influenced by Hive
First, I took the bold step of joining the #hivelearners community, which helped me meet great minds and learn and perhaps unlearn some things. I was a good writer before joining Hive in October 2022, but when I got to the block chain, it was a different ball game. I saw the importance of engagement and, beyond that, a courteous approach to people. I would say I have only met friends on the chain and nothing in short. Worthy of note was the #theinkwell community, which kept correcting many errors until I got frustrated. I almost stopped writing in that community, but when I analyzed what I was being corrected for, I began to appreciate the corrections.
Here, I realized that for every new environment or community, it is wise to put aside what I know and learn the basics of the community. My writing skills have greatly improved, and I loved the membership badge I got from both Inkwell and Hivelearners. It made me feel like I was accepted and welcomed. I have mostly concerned myself with the percentage vote I get from theinkwell and the comments made on my post. Recently, I realized I have had a continuous 90% and little or no corrections. Also, today, a colleague of mine at work called me to correct a report he wrote; he referred to me as the grammarian. In addition, most reports made by the secretaries are often passed to me for corrections, despite having senior colleagues. This makes me humble and yet proud of how well I have improved.
The superhero in most Nigerians soon met a deadlock after subsidy removal. My earnings and spending became more intentional, buying only things that were necessary and managing without those that could be delayed. Life actually became more difficult, and in June, I made my first withdrawal from the hive so as to get some funds for fuel and other expenses. I began my first intentional savings on Hive soon after and even got to buy a bicycle as a part of my contribution from my savings. Unfortunately, the savings got wiped out when troubling demands came knocking. I became more prudent with my finances (not stingy) as a result of prioritizing my needs over my wants. These days, I have more fiat as cash than in my bank account, which I can easily leave when people come knocking with problems. An empty account I show them often breeds some sympathy and freedom.
Oftentimes, I smiled less because of people's burdens mostly I put on my shoulders I became a shadow of myself in an attempt to make life more meaningful for others. Perhaps a brain reset was all I needed to realize the need for inner peace and happiness before I could be a solution to many others.
IMAGE CREDIT IS MINE
Before now, all you needed to do to put me on my toes was present problems to me, and I was almost certain to seek out solutions or soft landings for you. However, I fell ill in September last year and battled with it even into the early part of this year. The major cause was stress! I was living my life for the satisfaction of friends and family. At some point, I wondered how close relatives and friends would cope if I died. But then I realized that beyond the immediate family, people adjust when others are not there. I began to withdraw my accessibility, not out of pride but because of my mental state, which has significantly improved. Some weeks ago, I would have terrible headaches after successfully writing any post on Hive, no matter how little it was. Thankfully, my health is nearly perfectly restored, and I am able to manage stress, make more than one post if I so wish, and still engage with the friends I have here on Hive. This relationship means so much to me, and I'm not ready to trade for anything.
Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.