The Love/Hate Relationship I have with Vocal.media

So so Very relatable. I think many of us feel this way ✨ Great article

This is so relatable, especially the part where you discuss writing geared toward the platforms' preference. I definitely found myself doing that, and it was a big reason I decided to take a short hiatus on top of wanting to achieve some bigger goals. I also relate so heavily to your sentiments about the ego and the ways in which vocal comments, hearts, and recognition aid in my addiction! I was spending a little too much time worrying about what to write and how to please people that I was stressing myself out! I think its really healthy to recognize these qualities while also maintaining a love and appreciation for the platform. Great article :)

Like you, I really enjoy Vocal. I left for a while, and then came back. I don't regret my decision. Don't pressure yourself too much. Enjoy the process!

All of your refreshingly honest concerns could be extended not only to social media in general, but to society. Social media is an extension of society, not independent of it, as many like to believe. Jung pointed out that solitude is necessary to individuation. He did not mean to insinuate that we should be recluses. He was too well known to have been a recluse himself! But when we are constantly engaged with others, when do we get to know ourselves? When do we, as Pindar remarked, and Nietzsche echoed: become what we are? Look at me here, evoking all these names! Am I merely a product of my influences? We all are, up to a point. I've also written copiously about the positive influence my father and mother had. These real-world interactions interface with my literary interaction in such wise as to draw out that which I would become, for I sought at all turns to reject conditioning rather than succumb, and in so doing discover that which I am. You seem to be doing something similar here, even making a public declaration of your intent! I salute you, and hope that my rambling here will offer you courage and consolation! If it doesn't, I apologize ahead of time for being a nuisance! In ceremonial religious systems, oaths are taken to galvanize the aspirant to the goal. Pedagogues and ideologues attempt to commandeer such earnest seekers for their own selfish, bureaucratic needs. How? Well, knowing that the oath will inevitably be broken, they step in where guilt and shame over the failure dwell, and attempt to make it out that the failure was due to the aspirant not being faithful to the system, the bureaucracy, the FACADE. But failure is not only okay, but a necessary step in the path to success! That muscle isn't built in a day, and the pain of failing to keep the oath is only psychosomatic. We should not let the society, the bureaucracy, the system, or any other FACADE that purports to represent GOD tell us where we should stop or go. Whatever "GOD" might be, if anything, it is between our self and our creator, even and perhaps especially if our creator turns out to be our self! For instance, the bodhisattva vows to reincarnate endlessly until all humanity is saved. How great must such a one's pain be when they discover the effort ultimately futile? But how high and deep must their growth have been when they realize that they are not only strong enough to bear the pain, but to go on striving toward their unattainable goal? “If someone rejoices while burning at the stake it is not because he has triumphed over his pain, but rather over not feeling any pain when he expected to. A parable.” -Friedrich Nietzsche Before anyone chides me for my seemingly injudicious account of humanity, let me be clear: there never was a need to be saved, only the need for the belief in such. If we only reached toward attainable goals, we would fail to keep reaching beyond their attainment, at which point we would fail to change, and therefore to grow. Recognizing that there is an unhealthy element to socialization, and thereby seeking to balance your engagement, is a sign of an internal struggle, and also of volition, which is the foundation of all human dignity. For if we do not struggle with our tendencies, we cannot be said to have made a choice, and it may be that in learning to choose, we are preparing ourselves for critical choices we have yet to make. I wish you the best! Many blessings and much love!

I write because I enjoy creating and Vocal is a good platform for sharing. There are times when I have thought of leaving for various reasons (mainly me thinking I am being ignored when I am not) . Excellent article and think we all feel like this art times but our friends help us to see our true worth

Relatable. I do still very much enjoy reading and writing on Vocal. Somedays though, it's distracts from other things I should be doing. I need to find the better balance for myself. Great article.

During the ‘emotional turmoil period’ that rippled through some of the Vocal creators in 2021 and 2022, I played back and focused only on Medium. With the changes in communication and interaction between Vocal and its Creators, I’ve swung that pendulum hard back to Vocal. For me, the struggle is maintaining focus on both venues for my work while also participating in the interaction with the writers (which I truly enjoy). I think it’s me- my ties to the dopamine hit I get by refreshing, checking, commenting. I’m in an enjoyable fog of stressful typing and tapping g all the time. So far- so good

I can relate. I've found I spend a very big percentage of my writing time either writing for or reading on Vocal. I'm a world class procrasta-scroller though, it's not supprising. Basically, I don't try to focus and just go with the flow. Strangely enough, I get more work done that way.

Well done. It really feels like you have taken my thoughts and put them into words. I have many of the same thoughts as you.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I struggle with many of the same issues.

You articulated this so very well and lately I’ve been reconciling these same issues. I realize I’m not the best writer and Vocal has a plethora of talent, it’s hard to stand out. I realize I need more balance and dedicate more time to my real world projects - although I still plan to pop in daily to see what’s going on. Vocal is very much a drug and I’m an addict. But I can admit it now, so that’s half the problem. Also, I think you’re a great writer with loads of talent. Keep that dream going!

I know how you feel about wanting accolades and hearts! I feel that! That's why I kind of want to make Vocal just about my passion... Im tired of feeling bad also for not being as engaged as some people think I should be. I do my best, but I have several full time.gigs going on... Anyway, much love to you this was a great read

Know that feeling so well!!! Loved reading your story!!! It was wonderfully and outstandingly written!!!❤️❤️💕

I, too, joined Vocal hoping to earn some money to pay a few bills. Doesn't happen. I have friends who have read and "hearted" my work and yet, their votes are not counted. I contacted Vocal and they assured me that they were indeed counted and I received the pittance allowed for a read. They said the system was fixed. It wasn't and yet, like you, I'm still here and still hoping that one day, I make making something of my writing. Thank you for posting this. I don't feel so alone, now.

Well said! I really relate to this.