On January 11, 2020, I started writing my first blog and got paid for it. Entering that platform exactly five years ago is one of the most life-changing decisions I made. I don’t know if I would be where I am now or have this writing journey on HIVE without that platform’s influence. However, I realized that I also have many regrets. If I could go back five years, here’s what I would do .
If I could turn back time, I would use my free time for upskilling instead of watching TikTok or K-dramas. I regret not being proactive just because I was already earning $1 to $30 a day. My 16-year-old self focused only on the opportunities in front of him and didn’t think much about what to do next. It’s undeniable that I improved my writing over time, but I failed to maximize that growth. Maybe it was because of my age. I was restricted from working, and it wasn’t my main priority then. Plus, I don't have valid ID at that time. If I had used my time better, my situation today might be much better.
As someone who lightly struggled financially, this is one of my biggest mistakes. I regret not diversifying my BCH earnings into other profitable assets back then. My mindset was to just hold on the rollercoaster ride of crypto, but its value eventually dropped. Holding the crypto I earned was not wrong, but I should have also opened a savings account or moved some funds into stablecoins. I also regret saving at least $10 of BTC, ETH, BNB, or other cryptos.
Despite that regret, I understand why I held onto it. I was only 16, and my mother wasn’t supportive of using her identity to deposit or withdraw my money. Being underage made everything complicated. That’s why I relied on a trusted friend to convert some of my earnings into pesos. Sadly, she passed away in early 2023, and I considered her my virtual second mother 🥲. She had an illness that only the rich could afford to treat.
This is one of my biggest crypto mistakes. Instead of buying BTC, ETH, or BNB, I bought coins like SLP and EBEN. I remember buying SLP at around $0.20, worth $10. I even bragged about buying EBEN instead of purchasing the LALISA album 😂. I thought that was a smart move, but later realized a dumb move.
Aside from writing, I also played Axie Infinity and Pegaxy. I didn’t withdraw my SLP immediately because I thought its price would rise. As a high-performing player, my coach contacted me to play his horse at Pegaxy as well with 50/50 split. the contract is just the same as Axie, more profitable than any other guilds. My VIS earnings were high at that time, and I believed it could change my life. I held it until February 14, but its value dropped so badly that it became useless. I still sigh whenever I think about those losses.
I guess luck wasn’t on my side, lol. I held DOGE because it showed long-term potential. But I sold it at a loss due to impatience. When Elon Musk promoted it and the price skyrocketed, it became one of my biggest regrets. If I had invested just $10 per month in BTC during my peak earning years, I could have around $3,120 today. Now, it feels too late or harder to start again.
When I became busy earning money, I neglected my studies. That only changed when I entered Grade 12 as I changed my habits. I slowed down my posting schedule and didn’t fully take advantage of my peak season. It became even more painful when I failed to enter a state university even I earned 94% overall. Take note that they only base your capability on your grades during the pandemic seasons. And unfortunately, Grade 12 grades was not on their standards. I was deeply depressed and passively suicidal during that time. That’s one of the biggest regrets I wish I could undo. Yet, I already moved on and already had my revenge.
Instead of spending $500 on a printer or useful devices, I spent it on a Pegaxy horse. I believed the game would grow because of constant updates, but it eventually died. I thought Pegaxy would hit its ATH around Valentine’s Day, but its value dropped even more and never recovered. If I had used that money on something useful today, I wouldn’t regret it as much.
Despite all these regrets, I’m still glad that entering the platform despite initial challenges didn't hinder me. For me, that’s the biggest thing I’ll never regret, even after five years have passed. Yes, there were financial mistakes. But I’m thankful that I spent those years writing, building friendships, and learning from others. I’m grateful I stayed humble despite my lows. I don’t even know if I’d still be writing today without their influence. Moreover, I think I won't be a TikTok affiliate or gain more writing opportunities without their support. Now, I choose to think more long-term rather than chasing short-term wins.
