This is for the CryptoFinance Initiative: by @theycallmedan, but instead of using the exact same title as many others, I went with something different. Something that fits me and my story more accurately. This might not be an eligible entry because of those changes, but I am okay with that.
I was working as a full time freelancer, having my own brand building business in mid 2016 when I first heard of Steemit. A place where people earned money for content. People from all over the world got paid to contribute. I didn't believe it for a second. I had worked my way up, from doing something on the side to a fully blown brand building business. I worked at places like Fiverr. I had bought and sold articles previously. I was used to being paid $5 for 500 words..
Steemit was different and it took me some time to understand how it worked. I actually believed that people paid others for their contributions. The $ signs I saw next to the posts was money I thought others had paid that specific author for his contribution. Something like a donation.
However, it didn't take me long before I published my first few articles and I was lucky during my first few weeks on Steemit. I joined Steemit in the "good old days", when the price was high and most of the content around was rewarded heavily.. As I was used to work for real money, I thought Steemit was bogus. I had obviously heard about Bitcoin many times before, but I ignored it completely.
I was never going to believe that some random dude created a currency out of thin air. It's like an imaginary friend. They don't exist.. Except for the ones having them... Well, something like that.
When my posts paid out and I was able to cash out what I earned, things got real. I lost a ton of money in transaction fees and whatever, but I managed to do my Steemit-thing on the side of my full time business. It was a hobby, but I made some serious money..
I cashed out everything at all times. I didn't care about powers or distribution. I cared about money and that was all there was to it. If I could earn something on the side, I'd take the opportunity and spend that money on something nice. I could treat myself in ways I never did...
In one of my previous posts, I reveal that I sold my bitcoins. I earned more than 5 bitcoins from Steemit during my first 2 months. Bitcoin was worth about 650 USD and I sold my BTC to some shady website with nothing but a link. That was crazy... I took my chances because it was free money.
A few hours later, I had USD on my Paypal account and that was the only thing I cared about.
Here's the part when things are starting to become weird...
I loved the extra money and I didn't care about blockchain or crypto at all. As time passed by, a month or two, I actually started to like Steemit for what it was. It wasn't a personal cash-cow..
I saw amazing things happen. Even though my upvotes was worthless, I was still part of something. I was part of an awesome place that could help others in need. I saw a homeless man get roof over his head. I saw someone who was able to pay her rent and electricity bill. Someone got shoes and food. It was amazing. It was like one big amazing never-ending charity event.
During this time, I started to understand how things worked. I learned more things on a daily basis, but honestly speaking, I never cared much about the "blockchain" part or the "crypto" in that sense. I was more intrigued by the 'pay it forward' opportunity.
As long as I didn't have to give away my own money, I didn't care where the money came from. I quickly started to engage and communicate with other users. I did that because I was eager to learn some new things. I loved the contributions. I could find literally everything and I found things I would never have looked for.. But I liked the things I saw. I made friends..
- How has Crypto and Blockchain Technology Impacted your Personal Finance?
That is the main question for this initiative and the truth is this: I cashed out a few thousand dollars way back in 2016. By far my biggest mistake in life, financially speaking..
However, I wouldn't have kept those BTC regardless, because I didn't really believe it. I knew what it was, but I never thought it would last so the best thing for me was to cash out as quickly as possible. Just to get that nice meal in that decent restaurant me and my girlfriend liked.. I mean, it was just extra money. It was free money.. So why not spend it?
On top of that, I have cashed out many times after that. My rewards have helped me a lot in life. I was able to get through some really rough shit because of Steemit. Obviously because I cashed out rewards, but perhaps more importantly, at least from the perspective I see things today, I managed to get through all types of crazy shit because I felt that I belonged somewhere.
I was never bullied as a kid and I've always had friends, but Steemit, crypto and blockchain.. That was all new and magical. None of my friends cared about any of that... But friends I made on Steemit, online, on the blockchain, those people helped me by being there for me during some of my darkest moments.
Moments I didn't want to share with my real friends. I wasn't about to tell them how awful I felt when I years after my father passed away started to have anxiety attacks and became depressed. I turned to my other friends. I went to my second family...
- That is the real impact from my blockchain experience.
The life-changing things I have witnessed and been a part of. The joy of being part of something good. The laughters, tears and enjoyable moments... That is what matters to me the most. I have made friends, I have learned new things. I have become a better writer, or at least a person who is no longer afraid to write and share things, regardless if that is out of my comfort zone or not.
Truth to be told...
The money is just a bonus, but I have come to realize during my time on the blockchain, that it can be a life-changing bonus, financially speaking...
- And I am here for the long haul.