Months ago I hit a rough patch, well a rougher patch and had to power down. Now, I regret it.
I have illustrated this regret with the following comic:
I don't know if I can say I regret it as I used the money to pay rent and eat and had no money coming in because of my disability but, man oh man, seeing my friends who started with me with insane account values and a friend who started before me with mind-boggling account values sure does make me feel the same sort of pain you feel if you recall seeing bitcoin on it's way up and ignored it and then later realize you could be rolling in cash.
Seriously, with the recent surge in steem value and considering almost a year ago my account was worth $4,000. Holy crap, how much would that be now? How does one shake the ragrets? I found out when I was a kid that my grandmother had been playing the same numbers in the lottery every day for like 30 years and one day decided to switch it up. She didn't get a back up. Her previous numbers won the jackpot. She had a mental breakdown. Called my mom sobbing inconsolably. That is kinda how I feel right now.
I am happy for my friends and everyone here who worked their asses off sharing great content and is now a minnow don't get me wrong. I just know that my $4,000 would be a lot more than that now if I had stayed in and it stings. I guess I am giving a cautionary story in case anyone is debating powering down. I know some of us need to power down but unless you legitimately need it and you will be royally screwed if you don't take the cash out then please, leave it there. Watch it grow before your eyes and then roll around in all the steem later so I can glare at you from afar while simultaneously being happy for you.
It's not over tho. Steemit is growing and new steem can be made.
I don't want to sound like I am saying if you cash out you should just leave, show's over. That is clearly anything but the case. I wouldn't be aggressively recruiting my friends to the platform if I thought they couldn't make a real investment with their time and energy. And the fact that I was at $75 account value about a month ago and am back over $800 now just goes to show you can make a fresh start. We all have our ragrets but we can learn from them. If you are a dummy like me don't despair. Grab a seat, pull out a hypothetical pencil, and write some great content!
Plenty of time to accumulate more steem, this ship is just getting started. So many interesting projects popping up here revolving around steem, only one has to be a hit for the value to go absolutely through the roof. It doesn't even need to be steemit, which is the crazy part.
Just get back at it, and try to hold on a bit tighter this time around :)
Also, there is no shame in paying your rent and eating food. Living is more important then financial gains.
Yes that's why I ended it on a positive note. I know there is more steem to be had. I will probably partially power down at some point because I desperately need to get a new PC but I will wait until I have accumulated a lot more wealth.
And yes, I know you are right. I did need it at the time. :) But the "what if" hurts a little. hehe
Is there a way I can directly send you a little steem on here? I'm new too. Don't get too excited, it won't be much because I don't have much LOL - but at least enough for a fast food meal in the US ;-)
haha there is a way to transfer funds in the wallet but don't worry about it. :) Invest that into your steem account. :D
I had 5 bitcoins 1.5 months ago and sold at 1.25k. That's only 6 weeks ago! My brother had a gambling problem and said it was life or death so I sold all my crypto to help him. He took it straight to the casino.......I started over and now have 1.5 btc. I know the feeling.
the what if's will always haunt you. let it go. It is the past now. So look forward to rebuilding your empire (smiles) and be happy that you had that available to you when you needed it. Many are not that blessed. xoxo Jess
Im also taking this advise for myself :)
Me too :)
Sorry to hear that. As a consolation prize I've given you a full powered upvote.
Your awesome @neoxian
Aw gee, thanks! I can't believe how well this post did. I made the comic and ranted my woes and then went to dye my hair and came back to many people relating and all these upvotes. :O
The community is here to help us :)
Upvote and resteemed. I know a lot of people who feel like you.
This is always the case with crypto. I wish I had bought when I first heard of Bitcoin in July 2011.
I wish I had bought Ethereum when I first heard of it, the very day it was announced. I wish I had posted more on Steemit when I was there in May because I was here everyday but not posting every day.
Sure my account is worth a lot today and it's changing my life but boy o boy I could be lot richer but what if this is part of the problem.
I love this quote from on of Dan Larimer's post. It's one of my favorite post.
Keep your head up Laura and if everything goes well Steem and cryptocurrency might very well bring about a new kind of world. And don't forget, your "loss" are someone else gain.
Why do we fight to change the world?
Thanks for linking me to that post! I hadn't read it and I love it.
And thank you for the resteem and upvote. It is clear many people feel the way I do and you are right. It is always going the be the case. I am just now starting to get into crypto currency really and still learning so much. I want to start trading eventually so I better get used to let downs, bad timing, regrets, but also gains. :)
At this point I would recommend you concentrate on Steem rather than trading but I could be wrong.
A lot of crypto trading on exchanges is done by bots buying and selling automatically without the decision of human besides a couple parameters. These plus other fundamental make crypto trading super complex and up to now I mostly have done bad trade except keeping my Bitcoin and selling my Steem and getting back with around 4,000$ when they were at around 10 cents.
Take care Laura!
You can do it! I cashed out like 10,000 a year ago, And I regret it too! You just have to work extra hard to build up your account. I also had to cash out a small amount to pay down some debt. Sometimes things come up in life :) It's understandable! Maybe you can write a couple extra posts this week to make up for it. And I'll be here to give you my votes!
Sold my bitcoins at 200$, so i know how you feel.....
omg, that is.....so sad. :(
sending cyber hugs...I mean who needs $150 million when you have strangers sending love, right ;-)
I did.
I started powering down in February because I had a lot of expenses coming up (taxes + moving + some debt that needed paid). I sold the vast majority of my Steem (~75%), not because I wanted to, but because I didn't have anywhere else to turn.
I don't regret it though, I didn't have a choice. That's how I choose to look at it. I do cringe a little bit when I think what it would have been worth though, but like you said, you can always "mine" some more by writing some posts :)
Yeah, that's why I can't quite really say I regret it. Because really, I had no choice and the alternative would be much worse. So yeah, it's just a cringe factor when thinking of where I would be if it were different. :) We are both still here though! :D
Me too. Even if I feel so stupid for what I did but I could not afford to regret for it because the money were use to sustain the needs of my family.
Only partial regrets I hope !
You needed to move out of state, that was not cheap, and I'm glad that you successfully used Steemit for that purpose.
I have no doubts that you will get back where you were and beyond, just keep making art, posting on Steemit, and selling books & shirts like you do.
Rock on @lauralemons ^_^
Thanks. :) No books for sale atm but I am working on some.
And you are right. I need to remember that I really did need that money. haha Like, that funded my move and furnished this place and put food on the table for like 6 months. :) Better than if I had been dicking around on facebook or reddit all day.
So sorry to hear of your regrets. There's plenty of time to do well with Steemit as we are early to the game. You are never defeated until you decide you are!
Oh, I am not stopping. Like I said in the end of the blog I know it's still fresh out here and a good time to get started! :D Just a bit of a "aw man" feelings. hehe Regret is the wrong word because I really had to do it so no way to regret it. :)
Don't worry, you are not alone. Me too, I powered down few months ago due to financial constraints. The company where I was working is about to close and we have not receiving our salaries on-time. Aside from that, we are not receiving what is due to use to less profit. Sometimes its 1/4 or 1/8 of salary and being a family man, its not enough to sustain the needs of my family.
When steem reaches a $1 price, its makes me feel so stupid, how stupid I was. So sad. But, still we have so much time to recover everything and even more than what we used to have. We have the community to help everybody.
Following you.
I agree. This is definitely not the end. I love it here and like I mentioned I wouldn't be telling people "NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO JOOOOOIN!!!" if I didn't really believe it! :D
Sorry to hear you are in the same boat though.
:) no regrets
Well now you are earning again! Remember, this is the early stages. Powering down was a risk you took. It could have just as easily faded away, or went into a huge slump. These things happen with investments where prices fluctuate. My rule for Steemit, is I will cash out Steem or SBD, but I'm leaving my Steem Power alone. One day, if and when Steemit is more mainstream, even little dolphins and minnows will be seen as whales. So Steem Power is an investment into the future of the platform, my influence on the platform, and eventually the financial payoff should I ever power down.
I can't say I won't end up needing to power down partially in the future as I likely will but I will avoid ever COMPLETELY powering down. I will always keep one leg in even if I get desperate. :) And you are right, we are still in the beginning phases! There are much greater heights to go to!
With the price surge your posts will be worth more. You needed that money, thank goodness for Steemit 🦋
Yes, it was a blessing. Still, the cringe is there. :>
My husband and I kick ourselves over not buying bitcoin 2010...but we laugh because we did buy some bitcoin later. Steemit is undervalued and we are still in beta...time to start doubling down on quality posts. I'm going to start posting something other than my art, prolly science about epigenetics and stuff like that.
I always try to post quality posts. But yeah, more important than ever to really dig deep. Ohhhh, please do! I will follow you so I can read about it. I am not sure if I am smart enough to post about science. I like learning about it and reading up on it though from people more scientifically-minded than myself. :)
I'm not smart, but I am terribly curious and like to read. I'm following you too!
Well, I am definitely curious and do like to read myself. I bet you are smart though. :)
If anyone ever tries to tell you they always buy and sell investments at just the right time, get ready for them to try to sell you a bridge somewhere. You did what was right for you at the time. Judging your former self with your current knowledge is literally like being mad at yourself for not predicting the future. I've only recently found Steemit, so look at it this way, while you were cashing out and getting something, I was posting on other social media sites not even knowing what I was missing. :-)
Why do we fight to change the world?
hehe very good point. I am not really mad. I know I needed it. But I am glad and grateful it was there for me for sure! And hey, in like 6 months there will be other people just hopping on and you will be glad you got in when you did! :D
However, I fully thought steemit would grow and I was pulling out at a bad time I just had no choice. Which makes it even sillier to be mad at myself. :)
Damn that SUCKS about your grandma. Like....fuck. that really sucks, but hang in there! PS Did you make the comic yourself? What'd you use to make that? pps I'm Chrissy, great to meet ya!
Haha yeah my heart breaks for her. I made it myself, yes. Using photoshop 2017 and my wacom cintiq. :) Hi Chrissy! I'm Laura Lemons, nice to meet ya! :D
Lol I'm right there with you. Went broke going through school and cashed out everything. But that's cool I'm back working again in two weeks so I plan to start exchanging dollars for steem again...
It's not the low price of 10 cents anymore but I still feel it's extremely undervalued so 1$ is not a bad buy in price either imo.
Very good point. I am definitely going to stay in this time. Even if I have to pull out some which I might for a work PC I will wait until I have like 4 times what I need to take out and stay mostly in. I learned my lesson. :) Glad you are back working and in a more comfy situation!
You shouldn't have regrets about it. Life comes first. Even I have had to power down to pay some sudden bills. Now I'm powering down a little so I can try to trade my way to getting more SP. My initial goal is 100K and I eventually aim to get 1 million. May never make it but that is part of the fun I think.
True. I did learn and will not ever pull 100% out again even if I pull out partially and I am trying to learn about trading. So, there will be more to make for sure. :)
I missed out on cheap bitcoin. I didn't buy any until they were $50 each. I was crushed that I didn't pick them up for $10 each.
When steem is $100, it won't feel like such a big deal :)
Thats a very good point. We are really still in the infancy. I just need to learn from this and not pull out entirely again. :)
Speaking as a minnow who cashed out on his very first SBD earnings last night, I might not be the target audience for this. For me, necessity is pretty much every day. The 50/50 option means at least I'll be getting some Steem Power in the process regardless, despite my efforts to the contrary lol :D
You'll be alright. The rep and followers you earned on the way up the first time around mean (as you have already discovered and pointed out) you will have faster success climbing the SP ladder a second time. Steem on!
Same here. Already had to cash out again. I am disabled and not able to work so necessity is me every day too. This time around I am just happy the money is there because I NEED it.
Exactly! (and don't think I didn't see that upvote because I did and I totally appreciate it. Thank you :) )
I had some pressing personal issues that had me coming down from 10K Steem to 6K. My car broke down, water flooded under the house with a broken pipe and open septic flowing in, my wife's car broke down. One thing after another was wearing away at my investment.
I don't dwell on it much. I focus on the future. The past is immutable. There is only now and the actions I can take towards my future aspirations. I've quietly squirreled away 16K Golos tokens when the prices where around 2 to 3 cents. What I've missed out on with Steem, I may well make up for on Golos. :-)
I am only just getting into crypto. I don't know enough yet to be making money aside from on steemit because of the user friendly platform but I plan to learn and earn more. :)
What done is undone, now it's time to move on.
Don't waste your time on useless regrets and reflections, be active, write, vote, comment and all will be doubly returned.
haha It's just a silly comic. I am not hung up on it. I have been writing and interacting every day. :) Thanks!
I think many of us feel this way! Great to see you around blogging! :)
Hehe. Thanks and yes, I am sure I am not alone. :)
I haven't been here long enough to have any Steem to Power Down, but alas I know the situation. My wife and I have sold 3 sets of Wedding Rings that we have had, pawning them for like $20-$50 just to be able to get gas and food so that we could make it to job interviews. I know this plight and worry.
I now have a very nice career that I've worked hard for and am considered highly at my company, my wife doesn't have to work, we have a home that has no mortgage or rent, a nice car that is reliable, and love each other more than ever.
The ring is just a piece of metal and I still don't have one anymore. I'll probably get one some day, but not yet b/c it's not vital to our lives.
@lauralemons, Truly a nice reminder that even if you are at the lowest you can pick yourself back up and get back in the game. Can't wait to evolve from a Minnow to something larger... probably a Sardine.
Wow, thanks for sharing and so glad to hear you are on the other end and happy, and financially stable now. :) You are absolutely right the love is worth much more than any silly metal ring. ^_^
I sold bitcoin early on, and it was hard to deal with. It sucks, but there are people much worse than you in the world. Stay positive, and steem on. Also learn from previous mistakes.
Yes there are worse off but you also don't know how bad off I am to be fair. My health and history is pretty fucking brutal and tragic. I don't find the "there are people worse off" to be a great message. Like, yes there are people being raped 24/7 as slaves in Bangladesh that doesn't invalidate other suffering.
That being said, I do thing I can move upward and still gain in spite of my small mistakes. :) Thanks for commenting.
and to be clear , this small loss on steemit is not a huge tragedy in my mind. A regret but small in the grand scheme. :)
I try to purchase more STEEM POWER and hold in my wallet here on the site for the inflationary rewards. It takes months if not years to build up a Buy and Hold mentality, but its really the only way to become wealthy. It's a twist on an old idea: SAVINGS.
You should not regret because you utilized the money well. It solved a problem for you. There is hope in the horizon. You could hit it back again and you are already on the way.
Thanks and you are right. Definitely on my way. :)
Worth is an interesting concept. A profile may well be listed as worth oodles of money but until you have that hard cash in your hands of what real value is it other than position ranking in terms of dollars earned?
I remember a conversation with a relative who was bragging that they owned a house valued at half a million pounds. I pointed out that they didn't actually have half a million and even if they sold it they'd still need to use some of that money towards another house so they still wouldn't have half a million. The only way to have half a million would be to sell up and live in a tent in the local park. :-D
I'm pretty sure a few more posts and the support of the community your fund will be back to healthy again. :-)
I am already almost at $1,000 which is something considering about a month ago I was tapped out. I am on my way back up.
hahahah that is very true. :) I've known people with very expanses houses/mansions that end up broke. O_O
Don't beat yourself up. A girl's gotta live ya know ;) It's obvious you know what to do to regain your wallet....come back harder, stronger. You'll succeed!
Thank you! :) I sure do!
Don't give up. It doesn't sound like you have at all....just don't. You still have such a fantastic advantage, your creativity, your steemit reputation, your followers and your knowledge. Steemit is still very much in the early adoption phase. I genuinely believe that everyone who continues to work within the steem economy will do very very well within a few years. I can assure you that many in this space have lost and nearly lost everything and had to reset at some point. At the very least they will have experienced some really low points where it feels like your hopes have turned to ash and you efforts have been in vain. Just got to keep going :)
Thank you. You are certainly right and I don't intend to give up. Having so many followers alone is awesome and I also feel like my fellow steemians are really a clever bunch. I can not get such varied, intellectual content on any other social media platform. :) I really like it here.
Sounds like you're on the come back trail. I wish you the best.
Thanks a lot! :D
I dont feel like a dumb ass because the money from steemit help me in my health issues . I just feel thankfull for every peny i earn here :)
I am definitely grateful. :)) Glad your health issues were helped.
Here to help a fellow steemian just UPVOTED not much but hope that helps if you could do the same would mean allot!
its understandable. its good to know that steemit helps you pay rent. you are blessed. new follower here.
I am so confused why all these comments I responded to are showing up that I did not respond. I agree and am super grateful for steemit although a twinge of regret remains. I still am invested in steem and will remain invested. :) And it was a life-saver.
I had to power down for some time as well, during the lows. Feels bad having had to do it but I'm glad there still is plenty of time to recover some of that regret.
Yes I am there with you. Certainly much time to pick up the pieces and reinvest. Its just a little twinge of sorrow. haha
Same here a totally bad decision but I had little choice but to sell off my steem for peanuts at the worst time possible.
Agh, for peanuts is right. Same here. It sure hurts but hopefully we can climb up in the future. :)
Your problems are shared among all the cryptocurrency traders. We all could have had more if we had chosen better during our lives. All I can do to help you is to invite you into the project I’m working on. Will you adhere the calling oh mighty visual artist?
o0o0o0oh this is intriguing! I will read it more thoroughly in a few hours. :D
Sure take your time!
Just get really focused now. Put all your energy into building up your account. Last year is just like this year. You can do it.
woah I thought I responded to this but now no response is showing up!? I said basically that I agree and plan to stay invested and learn from this blunder. :) Steemit is definitely on it's way up.
upvote and resteem for you...keep it up...
Thank you :D
At least you aren't that dude who famously paid like 80,000 bitcoin for a pizza back when it was nearly worthless.
I could never live with myself! But, then again, I lost 220 Ether in the great DAO collapse, sold it at $8.
hahahahahahahaha Tou-fucking-che bro. I glad I am not that guy. XD
Lesson taken, thanks for sharing!
Everything is KARMA, i.e. never regret anything.
Hi @lauralemons, great post! I totally can relate to you right now. i'm in the dumps myself and hoping Steemit and POWER my hopes up, because right now I really need it
Don't despair; you will rise again like a phoenix from the ashes, riding on wings of fire and updrafts of Steem, shiny and chrome