Self-determination, creative freedom and equality on Steem

We all want to have some control over ourselves even though many tend to turn over a lot of their power to various authorities. In general though, being able to determine our own direction is something that empowers us and helps us take responsibility. However, for much of our experience we have very little choice over our actions.

There are lots of things I like about writing on Steem but, one thing it 'solves' for me is a problem that has plagued for much of my professional career, I am a nightowl. In fact, this has plagued me for much of my life as school itself did not factor in my own rhythms, they catered for the industrialized world where parents themselves were crushed into time frames.

Not everyone has the same alertness cycles throughout the day yet, all are expected to adhere to the social norms and get to work early and go to bed at an appropriate hour to start the day early again. As said, I am a nightowl which means this early rise idea is not the most suitable for me.

It has been suggested recently (and I have mentioned for about 20 years at least) that children should be starting school later in the day, especially teenagers. There is a reason they sleep a lot and forcing them to be awake when their bodies don't want to be is not conducive to best practice and it is even worse for those like me who have night time rhythms. At some point, I think I will get into some of this deeper.

However, for me, I have observed since I was a child when are the best times for me to do various tasks. For example, I do not perform physically well early in the morning and the most effective time for me to go to the gym is after 8 pm at night and the best time for me to take care of paperwork and emails for my business is in the early afternoons.

However, my most creative times are when everyone else is winding down for the night and climbing into bed. Steem is a gift for me (if I didn't have to get up at 7 am for IRL work) as I am able to work whenever I want and I am not even restricted by weekends or, when other people are working at all. It is the ultimate in freelancing from a schedule perspective because for the most part, the customers aren't the ones to set the deadlines. Customers of course being the audience here.

Since I post with some regularity, I can observe my content somewhat objectively and I can see relatively clear patters (there is overlap) in feel, flow and topic choice depending on the time I write it. For the most part, I do write and post immediately as my content is generally a collection of my thoughts grouped around a topic. On a side note, I recommend more people to experiment writing this way sometimes rather than rewriting the findings of others as it helps with understanding and self-exploration.

It is quite interesting to me how different the change can be in something as arbitrary as writing time. I find that a lot of creative people are more so in the evenings/night and it is often when they have their Eureka! moments.

I am not sure why but perhaps it has a couple of factors for example, maybe there is a little more sense derivation as the darkness takes data out of the system leaving more mental capacity for work. Another potential reason is that the mind is a little more worn, a little looser and relaxed in the evening and without the eyes of society watching, inhibitions are suppressed. Maybe it is a combination of factors that creates a space for creative expression.

Whatever it is, one of the largest benefits of Steem is the complete freedom to work, engage and post whenever one chooses, which in itself is a massive advantage over the generally authoritarian customs of the corporate world.

There are of course other factors that people are only just starting to consider when it comes to earning here as new apps and code opens up new possibilities to create revenue streams in multiple areas. Yes, I enjoy writing but for many, they might prefer streaming or photography or gaming. Steem is changing and although I do think reward itself should be somewhat tied to effort and value to the system, the judgement of this isn't up to me alone.

I work very hard (in my opinion) here because the future I envisage for myself and others is one where people are able to more readily choose the paths they take to earn incomes and although still currently tied to the digital world, this is going to change also as more and more IRL crossover happens with SMTs.

It is also because of these future possibilities I find it insane that so many people are unwilling to build their account/profile/content to support a future where they have more control over what they do and how they earn.

At this point, the platform and the concept in general is in its infancy which is the perfect time to create a garden that has the ability to feed future personal flourishing. There is a lot of opportunity for people if they are willing to invest themselves into it.

I don't like to work tied by schedules but what I find at Steem is that because I have the freedom to do when I choose to do, I want to work and post as I am not obligated to do anything in particular. I am free. This in my opinion is the way earning should and and is why the people going to Steem school are likely to not reach their personal goals or, it is going to feel like work. And not the good kind.

Engineer habits based on social norms is likely to lead right back to the world that people are trying to escape. So, rather than having the freedom to create and earn, it becomes an obligation to produce. It is the same trap reached by a different path.

If a world where you are able to determine for ourselves how we live your lives is our goal, we are on the right path. But, the path is not straight and there are many loops that look attractive but lead back to a familiar point.

Self-determination carries risks and responsibilities and many might not be ready for it but at least for me, each night I take a few more steps through my words to explore wherever it may lead. In this way, everyone is equal at Steem, everyone has the possibility to explore themselves.

Don't waste the opportunity.

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]