Winter 2022: The Unexpected Start

I stumbled upon Medium almost by chance. As I sought a new platform to transfer my blog content—no longer willing to pay the renewal fees—Medium’s tagline, "A home for human stories and ideas," caught my attention. At the time, I was nearing the end of my teaching career, engaged in various community projects, and contemplating my next steps.

I’m known for my tendency to keep moving, often impulsively. I signed up for Medium in December 2022 and started migrating my blog content during the relaxed Christmas holidays, rewriting and condensing some pieces along the way. This process helped me reconnect with the reasons I had invested so much effort in writing.

Spring 2023: Creative Awakening

By spring 2023—when my creativity typically reignites—I began to grasp the essence of what Medium represents. I was inspired by the content I encountered and felt like I was moving closer to finding my community. My weekly musings transformed into prose and poetry, reflecting on my progress while sharing my experiences of newfound freedom, love, and loss. Writing became a means to articulate thoughts that were often difficult to express verbally.

Summer 2023: Embracing New Opportunities

With teaching behind me, I had ample free time, which I filled with reading and journaling. I joined the Medium Partner Program and submitted my first article to a publication, engaging with talented writers and responding to editors' prompts. By then, I aimed to publish three pieces each week, successfully achieving this goal.

I experimented with humor and satire, realizing that translating my wit into writing posed its own challenges. A highlight was receiving recognition for a story I penned for my husband's grandmother, solidifying my identity as a writer.

Autumn 2023: A Time for Reflection

As my savings dwindled, I took on paid work while continuing to contribute to various publications. This period required me to evaluate my progress over the past year and identify what was working and what needed adjustment. I challenged myself to write and publish daily in December.

Winter 2023: A Daily Writing Challenge

I succeeded in my daily writing challenge—albeit with a few minor setbacks—publishing every day. While the quality varied, the experience allowed me to recalibrate my writing. I was fortunate to find three distinct publications that required me to adapt my style, which contributed to my growth as a writer.

An encouraging surprise came in December when another essay received recognition. However, I felt guilty for neglecting some publications, as balancing multiple commitments became increasingly difficult. In January, I joined a new publication that tied my writing journey back to my original blog content, and I began developing my own column focused on community work and social activism.

Spring 2024: Committing to Quality

While I’m still on this journey, I recognize that producing quality work takes time, and I’m committed to investing that time. I became a Friend of Medium, engaging with others and offering support in their writing endeavors.

There’s a wealth of advice available to maximize this platform, and I strive to absorb it all, even as I battle distractions. I aim to document my learning in a way that’s accessible and helpful.

As I wrote this reflection, I initially intended it as a personal reminder of my achievements over the past year. However, I realized it could also resonate with new writers on Medium, encouraging them to reflect on their experiences.

To those just starting out, I advise: Don’t stress about perfection from the get-go. Give yourself time to find your rhythm and your writing community; they will come. Remember, it’s okay to go at your own pace without feeling pressured to produce more than feels natural.

I prefer my Medium experience to be balanced and fulfilling—never overwhelming. How do you like yours?

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the editors who have welcomed my work, especially Malky McEwan, from whom I have learned immensely and hope will share this piece!

❤ Thank you for reading!

Section 1.1: Understanding Meat Temperatures

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Section 1.2: The Science of Meat Doneness

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