A few days ago, I came across a statement that struck a chord with me and prompted deep reflection: "In everyday life, it is better to be valued than needed". This notion fundamentally shifted my perspective on how we interact with others and how we can cultivate healthier, more fulfilling relationships, especially in the context of the Hive blogging space.
Allow me to share with you why this concept resonates with me and why I believe that being valued holds the key to nurturing autonomy and empowerment in our connections with others! 😊
The Dependency Dilemma
The idea that being needed can lead to dependency is something many of us have experienced or observed in our lives. When others rely on us to fulfill their needs, it can create a web of expectations that we may struggle to meet. It's like carrying the weight of their world on our shoulders, and it often results in feelings of worry and guilt when we can't live up to those expectations or fear letting them down.
In the Hive ecosystem, as with many other decentralized social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc), there's often a temptation to chase after Likes, Retweets and Upvotes from whales or influential accounts. We become entrapped in a cycle of needing their support to gain visibility and rewards. However, this dependency can often lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with pleasing the powerful, undermining our own creativity and authenticity 😖
Embracing Being Valued
Conversely, being valued implies that your contributions are appreciated but not expected as an absolute necessity. This approach allows others to take responsibility for their own needs and growth, granting them autonomy in the process. It's about fostering a balanced dynamic in relationships where assistance is freely given when needed, but not at the expense of our own well-being or personal boundaries.
Similarly, Being valued on Hive means cultivating a Community that appreciates your contributions but doesn't tether you to their upvotes as the sole source of validation. It's about creating content and connections that resonate with others on a meaningful level while staying true to your unique voice and perspective 😎
A Granddaughter's Guiding Hand: Nurturing Independence with Care
In life, much like the heartwarming image above which I thought could be applicable for this post, we often find ourselves in situations where we want to support others. Just as the granddaughter lends her hand to her grandmother, we have the opportunity to offer assistance and guidance in various aspects of our lives. However, it's crucial to remember the delicate balance between helping and enabling. The essence of our interactions should reflect a commitment to fostering autonomy and self-reliance, whether it's in the nurturing relationships between family members or within our online Hive Community 🤗
The "Teach a Man to Fish" Principle
As briefly talked about with @tarazkp in his fairly recent post, a quote shared by me that beautifully encapsulates this idea is, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime". When we provide immediate help, we address an immediate need, but it can inadvertently foster dependency. However, when we empower someone to acquire the skills and knowledge they need, we're actually giving them the tools to thrive independently in the long run.
By drawing parallel to Hive, we all know that Hive rewards those who empower themselves through engagement. Rather than solely relying on the largesse of powerful stakeholders, bloggers can build their following, learn, and grow by interacting with their audience, fostering a sense of Community and mutual support! 🤝
The Hive Blogging space serves as a poignant example of how valuing autonomy over dependency can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable experience. By shifting our focus from the pursuit of big upvotes to the cultivation of authentic connections and meaningful content, we empower ourselves and our fellow users. In this way, we contribute to a healthier and more vibrant decentralized social media ecosystem where creativity and individuality thrive! ✌️
 |  |
 |  |
All images used in this post were taken from my iPhone unless otherwise stated