Chapter 1: Embracing the Journey

In the realm of passive income, my third month on Medium has been quite enlightening. Although I had to pause my publishing efforts for a while, I was still able to see some earnings.

As many experienced writers emphasize, consistency is fundamental. It's a common refrain among those who find success on the platform, and I've strived to adhere to this principle. However, life sometimes intervenes, making it challenging to maintain that consistency.

Section 1.1: A Shift in My Publishing Routine

During my third month on Medium, I found myself publishing significantly less than in the previous months. This wasn't due to a lack of interest; rather, I was occupied with other writing tasks that required my full attention. Instead of crafting new stories, I opted to immerse myself in reading the works of fellow writers, which, at times, I find even more enjoyable than writing itself.

This shift resulted in a two-week hiatus from publishing, a stark contrast to my previous routine of sharing 2–3 pieces weekly. The immediate impact on my statistics was concerning; prior to this, my reads and earnings had been on a steady incline.

Section 1.2: Reflecting on My First Two Months

In my initial month, I managed to publish 11 stories, yielding impressive results for a newcomer.

Video: 12 months of writing on Medium, how much income did it generate?

Following that, my second month saw a slight decrease in productivity, with only 7 stories published. Nevertheless, my income nearly tripled during that period.

Video: Here's How Much Passive Income I Earned From Writing on Medium.com

While I may not yet be a millionaire, the prospect of earning money from topics I’m passionate about was exhilarating. If my income continued to rise, I envisioned Medium as a potential revenue stream.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Reduced Activity

After halting my publications on May 6, I quickly noticed a marked decline in my statistics.

Although the statistics might seem bleak, they don't encompass the full story. For me, the joy of writing and engaging with my readers holds far greater significance than mere numbers. Yet, there’s an undeniable allure to tracking statistics, much like the urge to check one’s phone frequently for notifications.

Despite the drop in engagement and followers, my earnings remained surprisingly stable.

Section 2.1: Earnings Breakdown

So, what was my income like for the month? Although May isn't over, I wanted to assess my earnings based on my recent productivity. In three weeks, I published just three stories, resulting in earnings of $57.22.

While that might seem modest, it’s noteworthy compared to the $29.53 I made in March with eleven stories. This nearly doubled income in May, despite fewer publications, is promising for aspiring writers.

Section 2.2: High-Performing Stories

Curiously, my most profitable pieces were primarily published earlier. Notably, a piece detailing my morning routine as a freelance writer was the highest earner, released at the end of April.

Additionally, stories about my journey into full-time freelance writing and implementing daily habits, published in March and April, continued to bring in income.

Section 2.3: Key Takeaways

Reflecting on these experiences, I’ve drawn three essential lessons:

1. Balance is Crucial: While consistency in writing is important, prioritizing mental well-being is essential. Taking breaks is not only acceptable but sometimes necessary.
2. Quantity Matters: Although I prefer quality over quantity in writing, having a larger body of work can benefit long-term earnings, especially during breaks.
3. Patience Pays Off: Consistency doesn’t require daily or even weekly writing. It’s about maintaining long-term commitment. While $57.22 may not seem significant, it's a marked improvement from my early earnings.

To conclude, perhaps true consistency is about persisting despite challenges and doubts. As Samuel Beckett wisely stated: "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."