It’s funny how about two years ago, I was so scared being on hive, and doing something stupid, that I rarely ever allowed myself make a post, if I wasn’t entirely sure of it. I spent like two days, writing a post so it appeared hive-worthy. I was a newbie, and having heard how downvotes worked, it made me feel like hive was this platform that ruled with iron fists. But here I am, writing very freely, making my way to this platform every opportunity I get - either to write or to explore.
One of the things I love about hive is the authenticity of people on here. Everybody could be their real selves, and share what makes them who they are on here. Sometimes, I read people’s rants on here, and I smile because I know that they aren’t sharing it just for validation rather, they see it as an opportunity to shed the weights. Someone would write about an unfortunate experience they had, and in the comments, you find people encouraging that person, in the sweetest way possible. It’s admirable honestly.
There are so many times I’ve written posts, and had people correct me on certain takes, not rudely, not bluntly. Just a simple correction in the most polite way possible and rather than leave me embarrassed at making a mistake, I feel prouder because I now have more information at my disposal. There’s also the prompts. I find prompts, centering on things I never knew about myself, and I’m forced to go on a journey of self reflection, discovering myself in the process.
Writing, as a form of expression, is actually one of the easiest way to one’s mind. Most of the time, we tell our experiences better in writing, than in speaking, which is why I believe that whatever is shared here on hive, is the purest form of a person’s mind. Hive, has given me a place where I could simply be myself. A space where I could share my thoughts with real people and not cringe at the sight of it. Sometimes, I even forget that people who know me physically are on the platform, and I go ahead to share so much about me. It feels like writing in a diary almost everyone has access to but you don’t get to be judged by its contents at the same time.
You can’t go on TikTok, and share content relating to your thoughts on life, without having to appear in a certain way. You probably need to have your lashes done, your nails fixed, your hair neatly plaited in a trendy style (if you don’t opt for a wig of course), otherwise the audience wouldn’t see you as worthy. On many of these social media platforms, content is performative. The main goals of creators there, is to stay appealing to their audience. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate the platform. There’s just this need to fit in, and be validated by the number of likes on a post, that is exhausting.
I know many creators here on hive, that do what they do, not for validity, and not to please anyone but simply because it is what they like, and want to do. Even if our paths may never cross, I’ve come to admire the workings of many minds on here. Two different people, on different ends of screens yet we’re all connected through the workings of our minds, by this platform -hive.
At first, I wanted to say my favorite thing about hive, is the people but writing this, I realized that it’s more than just the people. Really, I don’t know a single word that could describe all I’ve listed here but those are exactly why I love hive. From the people, to the experiences and to the actual foundation, they’re all intertwined to fuel my love for this space.
Thanks for reading.
Image above is mine.