My Web3 Journey – From Skepticism to Conviction

The first time I heard someone say the word 'Web3,' I was like, who's this one again? In my mind, I thought it was one of those ambiguous words tech guys say just to sound advanced. Little did I know that it's an enormous digital space that would eventually become a part of my daily life, purpose, and even survival. My journey into Web3 began with Hive Blockchain, and looking back, I can't help but say wow. So below, I'll be telling you all about my Web3 journey, misconceptions, and the like.

My journey into the Web3 space began a couple of years ago. At that time, I had quit my job in Kano State so I could relocate back to Kwara State to care for my sick and bedridden brother. Having someone in such a situation means there are needs that'll constantly show up, from his medical bills to other aspects, and so I was desperately looking for something I could do from home that'll make me resourceful beyond the physical presence I offer, basically something that pays. And miraculously, that's how I stumbled upon Hive through a friend of my brother. Hive to me then wasn't just a platform; it felt like a lifeline. I didn't even know I was stepping into web 3 space, probably based on the explanation I got and my desire to delve in quickly so I can write, connect, and maybe earn a little.

With time I began to see the bigger picture, because initially I thought Web3 was all about trading cryptocurrency, like the usual buy low, sell high idea; however, after numerous research and conversations with others, my eyes were opened to a broader ecosystem: from blogging to NFTs, DApps, airdrops, play-to-earn games, decentralized exchange, and many others to name but a few. That finding makes me realize I've been only scratching the surface all this while. I won't blame myself, though, because the farther you look, the deeper you're going to see, and that's why some people have been on Web3 for years and still feel like a beginner.

Talking about my misconceptions about crypto and Web3, If I'm being honest, it's worth noting that I'm among those who think crypto was a scam, and you can't blame me entirely for thinking so, because I've had people around me who at one point or another lost a fortune through crypto investment or those who promised them outrageous returns disappearing; all of these nurtured a fear of crypto in me. But it all changed when I joined Hive, because first, I don't need to invest any funds, and yet I can get paid for expressing my opinion. It wasn't just about earning tokens, though; talk about the value exchange, the community, transparency, and the like—it's mind-blowing, and my belief is that Hive should be the standard for others because it's setting the pace.

Despite the fact that it wasn't easy in the beginning, especially when you consider the learning curve—take for instance when you try to understand a conversation, but it seems as though everyone is speaking a language you don't understand, despite the fact that they're interacting in English—well, I didn't let that put me down; I kept on trying, learning, asking questions, making mistakes, and getting back up, and with time I got the grasp. What helped me the most was the support I got from other hivers, also understanding that I can't know everything at once did a wonderful job of taking the pressure off me; after all, just like the popular phrase, 'Web3 isn't a destination, but a journey.'

My favorite part of Web 3 is the content creation and community building aspect; Hive has made this a reality, and I'm always happy to express myself, impact others via my content, read other people's opinions, earn, and grow. All of these are possible without any drama, like we used to see in centralized spaces. So my advice to those new to Web3 is that they should take their time, not be scared about the ambitious words, not be afraid to ask questions, and focus on one aspect first. When they've mastered that, they can then expand from there, be it gaming, content creation, or others.

All photos are taken and edited on canva.