Why I’m Taking A Break From Medium

The platform is no longer recognizable from its former self

Photo taken by the author

Update: I came back to Medium after a hiatus lasting several months. If you to be notified whenever I publish a new article, click here.

Original article is below:

Growing up, I spent a lot of time writing. I’d write short stories at school in a bid to explore the limits of my young imagination. As a teenager, I wrote songs that reached the iTunes Top 40 in multiple countries. And now, in my early 20s, millions of people have read my articles about living a happier life in the modern world.

I’ve received dozens of emails saying an article I wrote helped them overcome suicidal thoughts. People are literally alive today as a result of something I wrote in my bedroom. They’re laughing, falling in love, and enjoying this marvelous thing we call life. And, while I won’t take full credit, it’s nice to know that I’ve made a difference in the lives of many people all over the world at such a young age.

I’m not exaggerating when I say my life has been transformed by Medium. This platform has been the home for the vast majority of my writing on the internet. And by networking with other content creators, I’ve met some amazing people that I hope to call friends for the rest of my life. Oh, and I should probably mention that I met my girlfriend on this platform. She’s awesome. But right now, I feel like I’ve arrived at a crossroads.

When I first started writing on Medium in 2018, I had a strong desire to share my ideas. I felt compelled to write something that could positively impact the lives of my readers. And, as you can see above, I exceeded my own expectations by leaps and bounds. However, the spark that previously compelled me to write every day has faded in recent months. In part, it’s because the platform I once loved is no longer recognizable. Medium has evolved, and I have, as well.

I strongly believe the Medium Staff are trying to create a better platform. But unfortunately, it feels like they’re trying to reach a destination without a roadmap or directions. I’ve had private conversations with many of the top writers on this site. And, while few will admit it publicly, almost everyone agrees that Medium is in some form of decline. It used to be one of the best platforms on the internet for content creators to share interesting ideas and points of view. And, while I didn’t agree with everything I read, it was interesting to see things from a different perspective.

But publications that once drove a lot of engagement and helped writers build loyal followings are disappearing due to the platform’s rapid and unpredictable changes in direction. And, for reasons I might never understand, the algorithms have been altered to a point where many incredible articles no longer go viral and earn the author a decent income. As Joe Duncan wrote in a recent post:

“When you strip the virality of the best content creators, when you stop hand-picking what goes on the homepage of your own website, you end up just incentivizing whatever can game the algorithm.”

He’s totally right. Many content creators are frustrated. It no longer feels like a meritocracy where the best writing rises to the top. Instead, it seems like Medium is incentivizing mediocre creators to publish quantity over quality. Meanwhile, those with an ounce of creative talent are crossing their fingers and praying the all-powerful algorithm chooses their article to be recommended in people’s newsfeeds. It’s ridiculous and unsustainable.

Moving forward, I’ll be doing a variety of things. Some of you already know I have a following of over 45,000 people on NewsBreak. And if you didn’t previously know about my journalistic endeavors, now you do. I’m also doing a lot of work with famous YouTubers and social media influencers.

Epictetus once said, “Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.” I can’t control the Medium algorithm or the direction this platform is taking. However, I can always control what I do each day to live a happier and more fulfilling life. To me, that’s the only thing which matters.

Right now, I’m at a creative crossroads. I could be making the wrong decision that will lead to a path of endless creative misery and pain. On the other hand, leaving Medium for the foreseeable future might be the best decision I’ve ever made. Regardless, I’m following my instincts and doing what I believe is right. And if you ever find yourself at a similar crossroads, I highly recommend doing the same. Always follow your gut and do what you think is right. To do otherwise would create painstaking feelings of regret since you’ll always be wondering, “what if?”

To be clear, this isn’t a goodbye. It’s more of a temporary farewell until we meet again. I’ll still be reading stories on Medium and supporting awesome writers where I can. However, I won’t be publishing anything on this platform. At least, not for the foreseeable future.

Thank you for everything. Take care.

Matt