It's funny how addictive Steem can be. I remember my journey here from day 1 and I always have the same "evil" smile on my face. It's called satisfaction.
You join the platform as Mr.Nobody...and you are nothing more than a number...mine is 593.980 according to Steemd. That means that 593.979 accounts were verified before I grab that number.
15 delegated SP are given to you along with a name. "Red Fish."
And then you start grinding...and you feel kinda lost...lot's of why's...In some cases it takes way too long to figure out how things work around here...Even people who "live" here don't have all the answers...
But that was it. This was your fatal mistake. You were injected the very same thing like the rest of us did when we joined Steem and now you are trapped and addicted...And then everything starts to make sense. All the answers are right before your eyes.
And you want to grow. You need that slider after all. 500 SP away...You struggle...you want to prove that you deserve more. You need that next badge. You want to become a "Minnow" but the truth is you don't have to prove anything to anyone...just...be yourself...
Does that sound familiar?
I set a target at the beginning of that year. To reach "orca" status before the end of this year. Unrealistic huh? Well I set that target exactly because it isn't easy. By no means can someone earn like 40K Steem in a year just by blogging, no matter how good he/she is.
People say... you have to put your money where your mouth is. And it's true. You can't just do the talking...you have to also take action. Invest in what you think that can change you life. That's why you are here during this steem winter aren't you?
I might have mentioned this before, not sure really, but I like to buy Steem in small chunks. And that's because they add up fast and you feel continual growth. I'll probably repeat the same procedure tomorrow...and the day after tomorrow...Who knows, I might still have time...almost 5 months to turn into an "orca".
But there is a cost. You see when I decide to trade some of my crypto holdings into steem and bring it in the platform it's all good. But when I use FIAT money to make those purchases...I feel sick. Our banks make sure of that actually....You see for every transaction from my bank account they charge 2.5 Euros. What that mean is that if I decide to buy 20 Euro worth of Steem just like I did today...only 17.5 reach their destination...
Still wondering why projects like Steem are trying to cut the middle men... banks...governments...and all those who leech? That's their greatest fear...that they will be left behind...so don't expect a truce or anything of the sort any time soon...
I guess you've read about those 94.5K BTC's that were transferred into one single wallet last Friday, right? Well the amount, USD wise is literally insane. Yet those people trusted the blockchain and not the banks. I've read somewhere that the fees were approximately 700$. (someone correct me if I am wrong) That's 0.00007% of the amount. I guess the owner can live with 700$ less but can you even imagine the cost of such a transfer using the bank system?
Should have been outrageous...
Now dream big...
When International businesses decide to use Steem for safe and fast transactions, who much will they pay in fees?
I'll tell you how much. ZERO fees...and just...a block away..every time.
Steem is addictive. Period. No matter what people say, no matter how disappointed or frustrated they are now...even those who throw white towels...they always come back. Always.
See you at the top!