Yes, it has been a long time since I was on Steem and active with the community and posting content.
That said, I will be easing my way back into things because it seems there have been a lot of changes, while some things have stayed the same.
So last year, around June of 2018, I suddenly feel off the Steem grid, and some other radar screens as well. This came about from an avalanche of events.
The new computer repair business I had recently started was taking off, I was still working a full-time job that I semi-enjoyed and paid me well. Everything was moving along great. I had very little time for anything online not related to my work or business, especially posting to blogs or social media.
So, I started removing things from my to-do list that took time away from my primary job, new business and time I had left for the family. Steem was one of the things that fell to the wayside. Some life choices had to be made as to where I focused my attention and efforts. It worked well for a while and I do not regret it. Things were moving right along, progress was being made, life was good.
…and then the bottom fell out!
The first was a major hit when my central air unit and air conditioner bit the dust. This was a big hit to the pocketbook. We then discovered issues with our chimney and roof! Another big hit to the bank account.
Just as I thought it couldn’t get any worse, my new computer repair business, which had really seen some progress the first 6 months I had started it up, started to lose momentum. The initial rush of customers slowed down to barely a trickle and the new ones I did get where mostly freeloaders who wanted something for nothing.
Then, some changes started taking place at my primary job. They reorganized, organizational culture started shifting, we were left without a CIO and the “inmates” started getting restless and going off reservation. The enjoyment I did get from my job was lost very quickly, almost overnight.
Then, well because of the increased time I had to spend at work due to the chaos, trying to get the computer repair business back on track, financial impact of the home repair issues, my family life was impacted. Relationships at work and home were strained.
I was at rock bottom emotionally and physically!
I eventually had to make some hard decisions. After a few weeks of deep thought and discussion, I folded the computer repair business. The juice was not worth the squeeze, and honestly, dealing with cheap customers was not for me anyway. Having a pervert porn surfing addicts continuously bring their computer back with malware and viruses only to say they shouldn’t have to pay because they keep getting bugs, was too much. I mean, you can only clean and instruct them to keep their security software updated and for them to stop surfing porn. Anyhow, it was folded.
I then started working on my job and relationships at work. Eventually the ship started righting itself. We got a new CIO who started making a very positive impact to the organization and culture. I was eventually offered a new position. This was a big win! I had grown very bored with the role I was feeling. It had become stagnant and just wasn’t going where I wanted. This new role put me in a position where I could really put my experience and skills to use and have the most impact. The change in culture brought on by the new CIO helped to start repairing relationships, along with me applying better people skills in my interactions.
So, then all I had to do was focus on the family piece of the pie. I had eliminated a business that was failing and didn’t have the time to bail it out and things had improved significantly at my work. My family had been neglected and had been on the receiving end of some abusive venting and ranting. I had become a terrible person to be around and they were walking on eggshells around me. This was something I never intended and really didn’t see happening until it was too late. Slowly I started making a conscious effort to make sure they understood they were the priority in my life, that they deserved better and I was going to be better.
And here we are, still working to improve those family relationships. We are doing good and on a good path to rebuild what I almost destroyed. Things are smooth at work now and I am finding extra time where I don’t know what to do except watch TV. So thought its time to look at what’s been going on at Steem, as I really did love Steem when I was here last. I enjoy writing content and interacting with others.
With all that said, hello everyone, it’s been a long time!
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Wow. That's a lot! I'm glad you survived it all.
Yeah, welcome to the 21st Century. That's the new normal sadly.
I'm sorry you had to wrap up the business, but if it wasn't serving you, then good riddance.
Steem is completly different now. The price of Steem is in the gutter compared to when you made your last post. It's probably an opportunity to obtain some and increase influence - but only if you believe the price will go back up and Steem will make it.
Thanks for stopping by my post, and welcome back.
Thanks for the welcome back. I am trying to figure some of the new changes out. For instance, my potential payout yesterday afternoon was $10+, now it is around.33.
Would you know why?
Yes, because a whale has downvoted your post. He's a malicious player with a lot of SP and he's out to troll the platform. He downvotes all my posts to zero, so I'm mostly not making anything on my posts currently.
I'm so sorry to see that has happened to you on your first post back. Not very encouraging.
Nope, and if it happens again, Im outta here.
Please dont let them make you leave.. eventually it will stop. If they see they can have such powerful reactions they will just keep doing it. :( I have been getting downvotes too, though tiny ones, but I know how discouraging it is. I wish you much love, truly. I sent you some cake. And @yidneth sent me to send the cake. You have a love train about to show up with some extra love. We will counteract that meanness. Just watch.
Cheers to you, and screw the grinches.
♥- Serena
p.s. I followed, upvoted and resteemed. I am but a tiny minnow with no good vote, but it is to send positivity to your day, which I hope is here on out a beautiful one.
I got the flag too, though I've got a some upvotes from the community later, I was oblivious to what was happening apparently he/she (dunno reallywho he is) flagged everything on your feed including your resteems which shows really no logic or respect. Downvoting something you likely haven't even read. @joebrochin do not worry, I got a big downvote myself and it was random... we just happened to be in the "middle of a feed" that was entirely downvoted and it makes no logic because it hasn't and it's not ours nor Ades fault.
You got a downvote from a lump who’s obliterating people’s posts on a whim. They became the target of #NewSteem - a community effort to revise the economy of post promotion. This user who downvoted you, runs in tandem with an individual that posts at the maximum to ‘game’ the returns, and as a result, the community reprimanded them. As a favor, they’ve been retaliating on hustlers like you and me, to spite those that burned them over their rapacious tactics.
I understand it’s frustrating, but if you pack up and ship out, those that do harm will prevail, and those of us happy to see your return will have failed you. Mute this user from otherwise seeing your content, and make strides despite the blow.
“They hate to see you shine, that’s why they frownin’ all the time.”
Even though the price of steem is in the gutter, the EIP changes do seem to have made a significant difference in terms of the amount of quality content being upvoted well. People are earning way more steem for good content than pre HF21 thats for sure. Curation is becoming king here so even though dollar value per steem is down, a lot of people are seeing dollar value per post going up.
the best thing when you are down is that not where to go but up! so .... enjoy the ride up!
Well done for coming back on track as most people would give up if they were you. Having full time job and business isn't easy these days and load of sacrifice have to be made, both socially and financially. I do not even mention the time spend to keep it all together and running. I feel you, I really do. Well done pal!
Thanks. Hoping to keep it at an even pace now. Starting my Doctorate soon and can see my time getting tapped again. Trying not to take on anymore than necessary.
Doctorate sounds amazing! Keep up the good work! 👍
Nice story, quite interesting to read. Welcome back
@tipu curate
Thanks.
Thanks for putting it all out there and being open.
Yeah, it helped getting it off my chest.
Aww life happens right... I've been myself a bit away, in and out... Also have lost gist of all the changes at steem lately. Work for all that's worth, life, happiness and setting again new goals to achieve :) and wb!
Thanks. I hope to remain present on Steem, but not all the time. I would like to post once every day, or maybe two
Oh I would not be able to keep up, so I just don't think about it, I just post when I find the time and I find there are so many friends and a community that I miss when I've not been around. So I usually find my way back ;)
Hello!
This post has been manually curated, resteemed
and gifted with some virtually delicious cake
from the @helpiecake curation team!
Much love to you from all of us at @helpie!
Keep up the great work!
Yidneth has sent you the power of cake, via helpie.. hugs to you! hoping for many "ups" to come. Sweetest blessings your way. ♥- Serena
Manually curated by @paintingangels.
@helpie is a Community Witness.
Thank you very much for the "cake" :-)
You are quite welcome!!! I have plenty more where that came from ;)
And if you ever would be interested in joining @helpie, let me know! The door is open.
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