I think you and I started writing about the same time and read one another's travel pieces in the beginning, but I gave up on Medium a long time ago. I was too addicted to the numbers and felt too attached, like with social media. Sooo much work, love, and sweat put into articles, and I really never felt I was getting much from it-- pride, eyes, or dollars.

A while back, when I was writing on Medium, I pitched one travel article to one tiny website about what to do in a town in Central Oregon, and I earned $40 for 1,000 words. My first and only freelance piece (haven't tried again because my aim has shifted), and it was paid. Pennies, really, but more than I made with most Medium pieces.

I was excited for you when I saw your 10K article and more excited today when I saw 50K. Now that I read this piece, though, I wonder if your talents wouldn't best be used elsewhere.