It's quite something to think that it's five years ago that I wrote this post. It was on the previous iteration of this blockchain. I was at a crossroads in my life. It was a challenging time and the beginning of a series of bad patches, the most recent of which was the protracted patch that was/is Covid. RL was difficult, navigating the blockchain, discovering markdown and learning the less than friendly user interfaces, not to mention that the security and other protocols associated with crypto and blockchain, were so confusing that I slunk away in defeat. I had arrived confidently - having blogged for a while on Wordpress - lured (like so many before and since) - by the prospect of monetising my writing. After all, that had not only been my stock-in-trade for the previous twenty-five years, it was the impetus behind starting a blog. I had long wanted to used my "own" voice in my writing.
It's not always what, but it is always that
The thing about writing is that writer's block is real. Especially as a novice writer which, I now realise, I really was (and still am) when I started on blogging on the blockchain.
I learned that the only way to deal with writer's block is to write. It doesn't matter what. What matters is that one writes. And now, I do. Every. Day. However, not every piece of writing is profound and eternally meaningful. Those pieces are few and far between but the crud that fills the gaps serves a useful purpose: I have to think and express myself in words and think how you will see what I write. I don't always get it right - the comments (thank you!) tell me. When I get it right, I am delighted and happy that the words and thoughts are immutable on the blockchain.
I've run ahead of myself. Not unusually.
I ran away and came back
After that first post and fiddling about and following people I didn't know or understand, the whole thing got the better of me. I also got caught up setting up what I hoped would be a scalable and ultimately "sellable" business. That it's largely become a side side hustle is mostly attributable to the pandemic and a story for another time.
As things settled in that arena, I was persuaded to return to the blockchain and joined a community - before they were a thing. That really was the sea-change for me. I discovered what crypto social really meant: meeting people, engaging and making genuine friendships all be they virtual. That people are caring and kind made me cry real tears one April day in 2018, and I wrote about that here. Do read that post - not for the tears but for the seminal lesson I learned about the good and the bad of the blockchain world.
Settling in and finding lifelines
It took a while to settle and part of settling was learning that like in real life, birds of a feather do flock together. Similarly, and to continue with the clichés, it does take all sorts. It was a hard lesson and it cost me a real life friend. It did tell me, again, that virtual friends genuinely care and will have your back. Yes, I'm being deliberately cryptic because it's not in my nature to either air my dirty laundry in public or to involve other folk in my battles. That caring people took it upon themselves to go into battle on my behalf, I consider friends for life. For real. To connect with them more than virtually and by voice would be wonderful.
I add that they have been there virtually during some RL issues and along with my peeps in the village, are part of the posse that kept me sane over the two years that the pandemic did nothing but try to wear us down.
Lifelines in every sense of the word.
Being encouraged to raise my head above the parapet
It's not in my nature to step forward and start new things that get me noticed. I literally am happier in the kitchen, cooking and feeding people. In RL projects and in teams, I'm happier working in the backroom and getting things done. That and paying it forward for all the help I received (from another initiative no longer active), was why, two years ago, I began delegating 300 HP to noobs as part of what is now @traciyork's #HivePUD initiative.
PUD
It was Power Up Day, in its original iteration and on that "other" blockchain that made me pay proper attention to what it was all about. It made me "look" to my account and what it all meant. It took me two years and I had to explain "it" - to myself as much to anyone. And I did. That may still be useful to noobs because much remains the same - in principle.
Now, PUD is integral to what I do every month on the blockchain. As from this month, and with the power of three, it's becoming more impactful. We are two blockchain veterans and a relative noob who probably knows more than me... All women on the "wrong side" of 40. I think that says something about how this space can embrace everyone.
Silver Bloggers
This brings me to where I am now. Never in a million years did I think that I'd be involved in a community. I didn't like the notion: I'm a bit of a salmon. For a couple of years I thrashed about and found none that felt like home. Until @lizelle created Silver Bloggers. Not only did I feel at home, but she dragged me, kicking and screaming into the backroom. I am forever grateful because, again, for a time when things were really difficult, that work helped give aspects of RL shape for me, and for which @papilloncharity is entirely to blame. Now, there's a team of folk who form the engine room. One has been around the blockchain and has tech knowledge I'll never have (even by osmosis), @mondowshawan and who's advice also helped me get a little reprieve with my ancient laptop. Then there's Eli (@coqucoin who is one of the Power of Three Posse along with @lizelle) as well as, finally, and it's a case of no particular order and definitely a last but not least, the mad Scot @tengolotodo. We're an eclectic bunch and I like to think that because we've been round the block a few times, and have a few more to go, we make a team of folk that empathetically help and support each other as we navigate this thing that's known as "managing" a community.
Like life
One of the things I've learned in my nearly three score years on this earth is that things have their time. Some things pass, others don't but things change and grow. It's not good, or bad, it just is. So, five years in, it seems that blockchain is. Part of my life. It has in the last year, not only sent me more friends, but helped me financially. When Hive was at an all time high last November, I was able to settle a debt before the debt settled me. I have realised - even if it's not as lucrative as one might like - a goal of earning from writing what I like. It's a privilege and a lifesaver. Its one I intend preserving: while I am powering down each month at the moment, I don't plan to do that in perpetuity and I certainly intend leaving more Hive in the pot to appreciate.
From no purpose to real purpose
Ultimately, HODLing and saving for retirement (such as that might be) is my goal.
That is a far cry from where I was when this journey began.
I am, and always will be, grateful for all of you who share this journey with me.
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:
- re-vamping old recipes. As I do this, I am adding them in a file format that you can download and print. If you download recipes, buy me a coffee. Or better yet, a glass of wine....?
- and "re-capturing" nearly two years' worth of posts.
- From Wordpress, I use the Exxp Wordpress plugin. If this rocks your socks, click here or on on the image below to sign up.
- Join Hive using this link and then join us in the Silver Bloggers' community by clicking on the logo.
Original artwork: @artywink
- lastly, graphics are created using partly my own photographs, images available freely available on @hive.blog and Canva.