February 2026

The Stem

As I once said, I’d be back but life had other plans. The lesson? Never plan too far ahead.

I’ve missed writing, yet starting a business demands far more time and energy than I ever imagined.

I had to become financially sustainable, especially after realizing that relying solely on writing platforms was no longer viable. When the CEO published that article, it was my wake-up call a reminder to be realistic.

To build a lasting legacy, I had to shift my mindset from chasing temporary income to pursuing long-term stability.

Think about it: you can write for years, earn for a while, but the moment you stop, the income stops too. Your stories fade into unread archives, and life moves on.

Our time can never be bought back, and our efforts once admired eventually become echoes of the unknown. We are the centers of our own universes, paid for what others are paid to do: to read our stories.

A flower only blossoms because of its stem – yet admiration is always given to the flower, never the stem that kept it alive.

LegacyZA

From Blossom to Root was originally published in Mr. Plan ₿ Publication on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

After thousands of articles and zero recognition, it’s hard not to wonder if Medium’s priorities are hurting its future.

Last night, I wrote an article and tagged a few of my friends, including the CEO and Scott. My article was about long-time, dedicated writers whose work is often overlooked and never seems to be selected as a Staff Pick.

It feels like the longer we write on Medium, the more invisible we become to the staff. Despite pouring our hearts into our work — sometimes writing over a thousand articles — it still gets overlooked.

I know my work is good. I’ve published multiple novels, earned thousands of dollars through my writing, and inspired countless writers to become authors. Yet for some reason, editors and daily contributors who have helped this platform grow are often ignored.

What even is a Staff Pick? Is it something that resonates personally with a particular curator, or is it intended to represent what the audience values? Honestly, while this platform has been a blessing in many ways, I’ve seen many good friends and talented writers leave.

I understand Medium is struggling financially and underpaying writers, but I’m still grateful for what it gave me: the discipline and willingness to write every day.

That said, it’s hard not to question whether all the effort I’ve put into supporting other writers — approving posts, growing publications — even matters. Are we ghosts here? Are we recognized at all? When Medium did its mass revocations, I felt it might’ve been a blessing in disguise. At least then I wouldn’t carry the burden of feeling obligated to write daily, only to receive no acknowledgment.

As editors and writers, we work tirelessly. Yet 10 hours after posting my article last night — without so much as a reaction from Medium staff — I deleted it. That, to me, reflects how little value this platform places on us. And I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Yes, Medium owes us nothing. But a simple “thank you” or recognition through something like a Staff Pick, not just based on one curator’s personal taste, but on what readers genuinely appreciate, would go a long way.

Now I understand why this platform struggles to sustain itself. The dilution of 760,000 subscribers has eroded revenue. Sponsors have pulled out, and I suspect it’s due to the lack of empathy, credibility, and proper recognition for legitimate writers.

I’ve seen daily contributors burn out because they no longer know what to write about — and I understand. As writers, as authors, if we receive no encouragement through recognition, why would we continue publishing 90+ articles a month just to earn 23 cents on one of them?

To all writers: Keep writing. But write what fulfills you, not what gets buried.

With complete honesty, the future of this platform looks uncertain. Medium, you’re heading for disaster if Staff Picks continue to be chosen based solely on personal taste rather than audience value.

Anyway, I deleted my post last night because some things just aren’t worth fighting for. Sometimes, moving forward quietly is the only choice.

How long will I keep writing here? I don’t know. As for my role as an editor, it’s no longer worth it. I’m sure many others share the same sentiment.

Thanks.

Why Long-Time Writers Are Walking Away from Medium was originally published in Write A Catalyst on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.