Navigating the Journey of Belief and Writing Resilience
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Chapter 1: A Personal Reflection on Belief
The reality of my writing journey faced a rigorous examination recently. Last night, I wrapped up three articles, and thanks to Bing AI, I was thrilled with the stunning images it generated. After a final review, I submitted them, feeling a wave of excitement wash over me. With a satisfied grin, I powered down my computer and drifted off to sleep.
The next day, at 4 a.m., I rose to complete my daily cardio workout. Ordinarily, I avoid checking my phone before exercising, a habit I adopted to minimize procrastination and stay focused. However, today was different. My curiosity got the better of me.
As I unlocked my phone, a rush of anticipation hit me. The notification icon was lit up. My heart raced as I exclaimed, “Give me that sweet dopamine!” But to my dismay, five notifications awaited me. Five? The last time I accidentally posted multiple times, I received nearly 200 notifications!
Investigations commenced…
Section 1.1: Setbacks and Surprises
It turned out that only one of my articles made it through the submission process. One was returned, and the other was outright denied. What a disappointment! As I reviewed the feedback, I realized that careless grammar mistakes were the reason for one rejection. How could I have overlooked those? Why do I always rush through editing?
Frustration consumed me. I had disrupted my morning routine by succumbing to a bad habit, and I didn’t even get the dopamine hit I sought. My thoughts spiraled with anxiety as I ran, desperately hoping that endorphins would come to my aid.
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To clarify, my frustration isn’t directed at the publishers. The grammar issues stemmed from my own hasty editing, and while it would have been nice to understand why the second article was returned, the publication owes me nothing.
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After my run, I set my phone aside for a bit and took some time to reflect. I began to wonder if my previously successful articles were a result of my writing prowess or merely the clout of the publication.
By 4 p.m. that day, one of my pieces was finally published, but it hadn’t garnered a single read. After all that stress, it felt like a flop. Meanwhile, the other article remained in limbo, still awaiting clarity on its fate.
Subsection 1.1.1: Learning to Stand Alone
The lesson I gleaned from this experience is crucial: your work must be able to stand on its own. Part of my “inner turmoil” stemmed from my articles not achieving publication. While platforms offer invaluable exposure, knowing how to leverage them based on the nature of your submission is a vital skill for success on Medium.
What’s my takeaway? I believe novice writers often rely too heavily on publications. Getting accepted into larger platforms can feel like a shortcut, and when your work is acknowledged, it’s incredibly gratifying. However, I realized that my main struggle lies within myself—I lack confidence in my own writing.
This lack of belief makes relying on a publication feel like cheating. I’ve convinced myself that for my writing to succeed, I need that external validation. It’s a tough pill to swallow.
Section 1.2: Embracing the Journey
Here’s the silver lining: we’re bound to hit walls along the way. Just remember to wear your helmet! I’m still in the early stages of this journey, with 351 days left to my challenge. There’s ample time to pause, regroup, and tackle obstacles until they’re no longer in my way.
“Acknowledge the obstacle; it is the path.” — Unknown Buddhist Monk
And here’s some encouraging news for you: whether you’ve been writing for 15 minutes or 15 years, challenges are inevitable. What matters is that you learn from these trials to avoid repeating them.
“I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:10
Next time you encounter a setback, take ownership of it first. Then analyze the situation; you may discover areas that need improvement.
Denial hampers growth like planting seeds in barren soil. True progress is rooted in acceptance.
You’re here for a reason: you care, you have something valuable to share, and you wish to make an impact. Only you can convey your experiences from your unique viewpoint, so never doubt your voice.
If your article receives just one view or one read, it doesn’t signify failure—nor does it reflect on you. Your words reached someone, and that accomplishment is worth celebrating! While that piece may not be the one that catapults you to success, it has fulfilled its purpose.
Those who navigate this platform will tell you: consistency is key. So keep pushing forward.
I’m still learning the ropes of actively posting on Medium, and perhaps some seasoned writers can impart their wisdom.
The bottom line is this: I know you have the potential to achieve greatness, because I believe in you, and you should too!
Always hold onto your reasons for writing, trust in your abilities, and never forget to maintain hope!
This video explores the essence of faith and how to cultivate it in your life.
An insightful object lesson on faith that encourages understanding and application.