Come to think of it, after my first write-up on Hive, the introduction post, I’ve never really written about Hive or my onboarding process after that. So, of course, answering these questions: LOH 227
…is not only a delight but also a trip down memory lane. So walk with me.
My love for writing started at a very naive age. You know that stage where you dedicate different books to different categories? There was a book for fictional stories, another for scribbling random thoughts, and then one for that thing where we wrote details about ourselves and friends before passing it around for them to fill in, “Name, age, DOB, crush, favorite color, favorite food, favorite subject, favorite K-drama, how much do you like Mide, what do you want to be in the future?” I believe it’s called a slambook, but forgive me if I’m wrong.
Writing was indisputably a hobby for me. Later in life, I got introduced to a blogging platform where I’d write articles, and the number of likes would determine how much I got paid. But trust me, the pay was laughably low, 50 likes equaled 50 naira. Lol. It was fun for me, though, until it wasn’t. They started requesting topics I wasn’t comfortable writing about. Not because I lacked knowledge but because those topics contradicted my values and everything I hoped to stand for. So, I did the next rational thing, I stopped.
My writings became fully dedicated to Luna (yes, my diary—don’t judge me! The guilty pleasure of naming my diary is one I won’t apologize for). Luna became the recipient of my rants, thoughts, stories, and even proper copywriting pieces for commercials, as required for my developing career as a voiceover artist.
And then, one day, a friend told me about Hive. I won’t lie, two things instantly caught my attention:
- I could write ANYTHING on my mind with no limitations or restrictions.
- I could earn from it!
I mean, WOW! What could possibly be better than that? So, obviously, without delay, I told him I was interested. He then introduced me to his beautiful girlfriend, @joycealarapon, who was already a Hive member. She gave me a proper briefing, and together with @kingsleyy, they guided me and made the onboarding process so easy.
There’s a saying in Yoruba: “Ko mi bi won se npeja, ma fun mi leja je mo.” which translates to, “Teach me how to fish rather than giving me fish all the time.” That was literally what these two wonderful people did for me. They taught me, step by step, how to navigate Hive.
I can’t emphasize enough how grateful I am. It’s one thing to introduce someone to something new; it’s another to guide them so they don’t get lost. Yes, Hive is such a welcoming space that I would have eventually figured things out, but these two made it way easier and faster for me. Because honestly, how else would I have known that I had to introduce myself first before posting properly?
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Now, onto what I think are the best things about Hive.
For a feature to be considered “best,” I believe has to be unique and particular to Hive. And first on my list is freedom of expression. Hive is such a space that promotes good mental health for its writers. The relief that comes with freely pouring out your thoughts? When you’re feeling burdened? Just write. Feeling anxious about the future? Just write. Saw something exceptionally fancy on your way to the cinema? Write. A butterfly landed on your shoulder during your evening stroll? Write. Lol. I often think of Hive as a digital diary, it’s just such a safe space.
Of course, every self-respecting person knows to respect human rights by avoiding profanities, abusive language, or offensive content. So, it’s only natural to have certain guidelines. I don’t even see them as rules but as necessary boundaries, just like in everyday life. You wouldn’t walk into an office or a public gathering and start shouting profanities, right? It’s not acceptable anywhere, and Hive is no exception.
Secondly and honestly, this should have been my first reason because it’s my absolute favorite, Hive is a breath of fresh air in the online space. To be honest, social media can be a toxic space. But Hive? It’s like walking into a garden full of flowers. You’ll enter some communities, read just two articles, and either find yourself grinning widely or tearing up because of how touching the stories are. Now, do you get why I said Hive promotes good mental health? Exactly.
And not to be hypocritical, money might not bring happiness, but it sure does make life easier. Hive gives the opportunity to achieve financial freedom, and that’s another amazing thing. I’ve seen what consistency and dedication can bring on Hive, and honestly, what could be more motivating?
Oh, last one, I promise! lol. I also love the interactions on Hive. A LOT. I absolutely enjoy reading the comments on my posts. It’s so refreshing to engage with different people with distinct thought processes. Sometimes, I read a comment and think, “Wow! How did you even view it from that angle? I never thought of that, how brilliant!" The same applies when I interact with others’ posts.
I could go on and on, but as always, my dear friends, there are other articles on this topic that you must read. I also can’t wait to see your perspectives so go on and write about this topic in the Ladies of Hive community.
All images are mine.
Thank you for reading! 😊