On 26th of March a little notification announced me that 1 year has passed since I joined Hive. I have written the date in my calendar, commited to do a mental evaluation of what this year has meant for me.
When I joined Hive I had no knowledge about crypto, blogging and overall I was an absolute beginner. I can remember the social context of the time I joined this: the pandemic started, there was a full 2 months lockdown in my country and I was struck, not for the first time though, that everything I do for a living might not be relevant anymore. I felt like Hive could be the platform where my art could actually mean something. I felt that I wanted the community vibe, not just the rewards, the likes, the comments.
I was also struggling in my personal life and Hive felt like a saving boat. Mentally. In the lockdown I was alone and single, confined between four walls, away from family. I have no words to express how much I fought to keep the account alive for my mental well being. When I logged on, I knew that Hive allowed me the little human connection I could ever have in those times. It was precious, it was needed, it was vital.
Hive helped me with self confidence a lot. You look at my posts and you see talent, beauty, courage. It wasn't always like this. Struggling with being bullied in my teens and coping with some people in my life who constantly criticized me made me feel unsecure and really cautious. Receiving support, even virtually, helped me a lot to grow and to realize that I will never allow anyone to bully me again and to treat me with less respect than I deserve. On Hive I have learned to embrace me, the whole me, and put it out there. I have learned that some people, no matter how great of a person you are, will never like or love you. And that is ok.
Scrolling through the community I have met beautiful minds and souls, many of them present in my list. I feel honoured to be able to have a community where I feel understood and heard. We artists often feel that no one gets us, that we speak but no one hears us. On Hive it feels like good work and ethics matter. And this is the most precious thing for a genuine community.
I learned to not take for granted every nice thing that happens daily. To be able to wake up, see, have a phone and an Internet connection and put myself out there. I thank the universe every day for this. It might look like not a big deal to be on Hive and do great. But it is. How many struggling people do not have a chance and live in anonimity, without anyone there to notice their talent?
In 1 year since I've joined Hive I have learned to whisper in my mind two words that describe how we should all feel towards this platform. The most important lesson I take daily and never learn enough of it is gratitude. So after 1 year of Hive, I say: thank you馃槉
Have a splendid day and toodle loo!
