From Jeff Bezos to Elon Musk, and now… a cautionary tale about easy come, easy go. Back to 1 cent club!
Welcome to my sixth shock this week!
Yesterday, I felt like a billionaire-in-the-making, jumping from the humble 1 Cent Club to the lofty 5 Cent Club and receiving a mysterious $26 bonus in my Medium Partner Program account. It was a moment of triumph, a great hope amidst the chaos.
But today?
That glimmer vanished faster than free snacks at a writers’ meetup.
Gone. Poof. Vanished.
It was just like a magician’s disappearing act but with my hard-earned “wealth.”
Was it a glitch? An act of divine retribution for celebrating too soon?
Or perhaps Medium’s algorithm just decided, “Nah, he doesn’t need this.”
I should’ve known better.
After the series of bombshells over the past few days, I really thought things would settle down. I’d sip my metaphorical champagne and bask in the glory of being rich. But no, the rollercoaster wasn’t done with me yet.
The Saga of Emotional Whiplash
As a filmmaker, I thrive on emotional chaos, but this financial rollercoaster has taken even me to new levels.
Yesterday, I was basking in the glow of an unexpected bonus, crafting witty stories about my ascent to the 5 Cent Club.
Today, I’m back to square one, wondering if my destiny is to forever ride the highs and lows of Medium’s algorithm gods.
I mean, who knew $26 could be so fleeting?
One moment, I’m the next Elon Musk (minus the Tesla), and the next, I’m back to feeling like a starving artist who accidentally stumbled into a Wall Street party only to be politely escorted out.
A New Shock
Ah, because of the mysteries money issue, I almost forgot to share my new shock today. Our great storyteller Britni Pepper said goodbye to Medium just like my mentor Dr Mehmet Yildiz 😢
Goodbye, Medium!
It’s not me, it’s youmedium.com
This Is My Last Story on Medium Until the Algorithm Is Fairly Adjusted
Publishing on ILLUMINATION publications will be paused until this unfair issue for authentic writers finds an amicable…medium.com
Now, I lost a storyteller friend plus a mentor in a week. What is next?
Lessons from the Chaos
But let’s turn this into something constructive because that’s what we do, right? Life, and Medium, may throw us curveballs, but here’s what I’ve learned:
- Celebrate the Wins (Even the Small Ones): Yesterday’s $26 might be gone, but the joy of that moment is mine to keep.
- Trust Yourself, Not the Platform: As much as Medium (or any platform) promises shiny perks, the real treasure is in owning your journey. Write for yourself, not just for algorithms.
- Humor Is the Best Armor: When the system messes with you, laugh at the absurdity. Like, seriously… $26 comes, $26 goes? You can’t make this stuff up!
- Enjoy Your Ups and Downs: I was in 1 cent club and moved to 5 cent and now 1 cent again. It is great fun.
So, here I am, broke again but oddly optimistic. This wild ride has been fuel for stories, humor, and reflection. Maybe I’ll turn it into a script one day. Or maybe, Medium will send me another mystery bonus (a poor writer can dream, right?).
In the meantime, I’ll keep writing, keep laughing, and keep sharing these tales with you. Because if there’s one thing this platform has taught me, it’s that life — and writing — is never dull.
How’s your day been? Are you riding the wave, braving the storm, or just hanging on for dear life like me? Leave a comment!
I will resume my Look What Aiden Found Series!
Look What Aiden Found Today — Episode #278
Favorite stories I read plus community-nominated pieces tailored for avid readers of ILLUMINATION Publications on…medium.com
I am also a YouTuber.
Here is my new video for the introduction of From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 4 on YouTube:
/media/e9a2e19260b86e68bbbb2080c113219dVideo is hosted on ILLUMINATION Substack Mastery YouTube Channel
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Do You Want to Go from ZERO to a Substack HERO in 2025?
Do You Want to Go from ZERO to a Substack HERO in 2025?
I’ve a great educational solution for freelance writers to take them a powerful and joyful journey in the new year.medium.com
As a New Year gift, I offered discounted prices on Udemy to my Medium and Substack friends. You can use these vouchers if you are interested in enrol these courses.
All funds earned from these courses will go to the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot program which we initiated in November 2024 which is planned to take until December 2025. Then in 2026 it will be a low cost education and marketing service for freelance writers.
Mike Broadly, DHSc beautifully articulated the value of the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot in a recent story.
We Are Building a Creative Support Path for Freelance Writers in 2025
We will offer customized services based on the needs of creators, freelancers, and content entrepreneurs with…medium.com
Here is a lighthearted New Year goals story for me that can inspire and smile you today.
My Quirky Goals for 2025
Because “World Domination” Felt a Bit Ambitiousmedium.com
If you are a new reader, check out some of my most loved stories from different topics from my writing collection on this platform.
Gaming, Fun, and Humor: The Lifelines That Rescued Me From Social Media’s Grip on My Life
AI Can Now Create Photorealistic Videos From Just a Text Prompt
Finding Comfort in Blocks: How Minecraft Eased My First Time Loneliness and Intense Grief at 17
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