Chapter 1: A Milestone Achieved

Yesterday marked a significant milestone in my writing journey. I finally crossed the elusive $5 mark in my Medium Partner Program earnings, reaching $5.27. This moment feels monumental, as I can now genuinely claim, “I earn money by writing on Medium.” Covering my $5 monthly fee feels rewarding, especially since it’s only halfway through the month.

A moment of gratitude is in order. My success is not solely mine; it’s thanks to my readers who have generously shared a portion of their membership by engaging with my stories. For that, I am profoundly grateful, as this represents a substantial achievement for me. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, particularly those from the first two weeks of July 2023, I extend my heartfelt thanks. If you understand the significance of expressing gratitude thrice, then you’ll appreciate this sentiment even more.

Despite this achievement, I haven’t yet broken even. My initial earnings of $4.90 in February 2023 left me yearning for more, quickly leading me into a phase of questioning whether it was worth the effort.

Photo credit: Screenshot from Medium with annotations created in Canva.

After my near success in February, I didn’t write much. I left the luxurious holiday apartment in sunny southern Spain, where I had been enjoying a personal writer’s retreat for ten weeks, and spent a month traveling through France before heading to the UK. During that time, I lacked both the time and energy to write.

In March and April, I focused on my family obligations and engaged in traditional work, trading time for a steady paycheck. I also helped my parents move, an experience I won't repeat without some emotional armor. Each night, I collapsed into bed, utterly drained, unable even to compose a simple sentence, let alone a heartfelt story.

By May, I found myself settled in a quaint English village, house-sitting for a charming springer spaniel. With my only responsibility being to care for him and take him for walks, I finally had the time to write. Ideas flowed through me, and it was time to pursue my writing dreams without concern for others’ expectations. I was determined to express my truth, no matter how intimidating it felt.

I channeled my courage into my writing, leading to the creation of “Being Scared to Write About My Mum is Holding Me Back.” Upon hitting publish, I was filled with anxiety, believing it to be my finest work yet. I anticipated an influx of comments and a surge in readership.

However, that didn’t happen. I felt embarrassed and insecure, questioning whether I had revealed too much or come across as needy. The doubts resurfaced, pushing me into a shell of silence. One of my followers, Kendra Sparkles, offered supportive words, but I still felt lost. All I can do is continue forward.

In June, I donned my metaphorical ‘who cares’ attitude and persisted in writing. My statistics improved, and so did my earnings. Looking back, I realize that while my story may not have been my best, it showcased my courage. I learned that the so-called snowball effect is a fantasy at this early stage in my writing career, and that success requires further storytelling.

Today, I find myself celebrating a modest increase of 30 cents in earnings. I’ve crossed a threshold I once only dreamed of and, through this journey, I’m learning to craft better headlines, condense lengthy reads, and reduce unnecessary filler words.

I remain hopeful for my future as a writer. Thank you for your support.

In this video, "How to Make $1000 per Month Writing Articles on Medium (as a part-time writer)", you’ll discover strategies and insights that can help you boost your writing income on Medium.

The next video, "Is Medium Still Worth It In 2023? Can You Still Make Money on Medium as a Beginner in 2023?" explores the current landscape of writing on Medium and offers guidance for newcomers looking to monetize their writing.