As an artist and writer, Steemit is a delight. As a mother, isolated out in the country, Steemit has become my community. From a human perspective, Steemit gives me hope for the world. I’ll expand on these ideas, but first, let me tell you how this post came about. Someone in the #steemsugars discord was kind enough to share [this contest](https://steemit.com/steemitultimatechallenge/@dobartim/steemit-ultimate-challenge-8-weeks-prize-fund-2000-sbd-week-7-registration-is-in-progress-last-week) by @dobartim for people to write about how Steemit communication positively influences their lives. Reading some of the entries that have been chosen thus far, I’m happy to see winners chosen from regions of the world where Steem can go a long way. **This is another example of how Steemit gives me hope for the world.** I love seeing people helping each other. THIS is why I love Steemit. ![hope](https://s26.postimg.org/7ehoqb7dl/rooftop-Elvis_Ma.jpg) [photo: Elvis Ma](https://unsplash.com/photos/Zf2Z404XsQY) --- ## Steemit gives me a chance to contribute. --- **If I am chosen as a winner for this contest, I will send 30% of the total reward to charity:** 15% to @youarehope, which uses Steem to empower people in impoverished situations, and 15% to @rhondak, who runs @TARC, giving homeless animals a new chance at life. I would like to donate more than this, but I have a delegation ending soon and need to power up to support my greater community as well! Steemit gives me an opportunity to contribute to causes like these. It encourages people to help each other, to be good to each other, incentivizing interaction and mutual support. One of the ways I give back (or pay it forward, however you want to look at it) is to spend time in one of the discord servers I'm a part of, giving feedback and helping people learn better blogging skills. (Even though I'm a teacher there, I'm still learning all the time!) I love that there are many places people can go to find assistance and support for success on Steemit. This is why this platform gives me hope for the world, because we are constantly engaging in positive community building, as well as people-powered initiatives that are changing lives around the planet. We are communicating, sharing ideas, listening to each other and learning about different cultures, different perspectives. I don’t have much fiat to send to causes right now, which is hard, yet I want to contribute! On Steemit I can earn money and share money. Steemit allows me to chip-in to causes big and small. It’s inspiring to be able to upvote or send Steem when I can, to support initiatives that are feeding the hungry, improving lives, funded by Steem, operating internationally as a network of human beings who care about each other. So many people are being generous and sharing their Steemit wealth. Contests like this one by @dobartim, the delegation from @karensuestudios, and countless other initiatives are giving others a helping hand. **This is happening. This is grassroots people empowering people.** **It makes me so excited! So hopeful!** In a world that can be overwhelmingly negative, this collective empowerment through the blockchain blows my mind and makes my heart fill with gratitude. ![heart hands](https://s26.postimg.org/5mopvevqh/heart_love_crowd_-_Anthony_Delanoix.jpg) [photo: Anthony Delanoix](https://unsplash.com/photos/hzgs56Ze49s) --- ## How Steemit and Discord impact my life as an artist (and human). --- Since joining Steemit and diving into many communities on Discord, I’ve made friends around the world. Genuine friends, whose voices I’ve heard and whose posts have made me laugh and cry. **I adore the friends I've made through Steemit. They have become my family.** 💖 There are people in Discord rooms at any hour, because this community is so international. If I’m excited about something, having a rough day, or just wanting some company, I can find a friend. And so many artists! I can interact with people on a deep level via Steemit and Discord. I can be vulnerable, honest, and freely creative in my posts. People actually read them. What a wonderful thing! **As a writer and singer, as an artist, as someone who must *express* in order to fully feel alive,** to have people see my work, read my words, and *respond with encouragement* — this is huge! **This is satisfying on a soul level.** When someone on Steemit reads my post, takes the time to comment, and authentically connects to what I’m sharing, that connection enhances my life. I’m exceptionally grateful for this chance to find creative connection and interaction with others. Hooray for the ocean of Steemit! ![ocean](https://s26.postimg.org/c515ndueh/Ocean01.jpg) --- ## The ripple effect of happiness. --- Before this post starts sounding like “join Steemit and everything will be better,” that’s not what I’m getting at. It isn’t easy to consistently create quality content, to be active in communities and participate with enthusiasm every day. It isn’t easy, but I do enjoy it. In fact, I enjoy it much better than the blogging I was doing before. It does help that I’m earning cryptocurrency while I go. It isn’t a ton of money, but I don’t want to put my kids in daycare to get a job, and even earning a little bit is nice. I know over time it will grow. I can help feed my family. As a stay-at-home mom, that provides more than the logistics of money and being able to keep my children close, it gives me a sense of empowerment. But beyond the money factor, there is a deep happiness that comes from the creative freedom I have, from the interaction happening with friends all over the world. A sense of belonging. This positivity contributes to my mental health. I have a history with anxiety and depression, and these things are managed on a daily basis (yoga helps). Some days are easier than others, but since coming into this supportive community of Steemit, my overall happiness has increased. How nice! Because of the people I interact with via Steemit, my outlook is more consistently positive. I bounce back easier, and there’s always someone to talk to if I need them. On the same token, I’m there to listen if someone else needs me. **You never know people’s full story. Even a casual kindness can mean the world.** ![joy](https://s26.postimg.org/4y8k83oqx/goddess.jpg) ___ ## The importance of self-care. ___ The one downfall to Steemit and Discord is it’s easy to stay up way past my bedtime having fun with people, reading/commenting/upvoting posts, or creating my own content. I’ve had to focus on self-care, making sure I get enough sleep, play outside, and put family first. I’m no fun when I’m zombie-mommy. In some ways, the limits Steemit puts on voting power is helpful. It forces me to take a break. I think all of us encounter burnout at some point, so this is a gentle reminder to take care of yourself. (I need the reminder as much as anyone.) I’m in this for the long haul, so regular self-care is a necessity. If you’re one of those people who pushes yourself, maybe it would feel good take a deep breath and have a little stretch. I know I need one. ;) ![yoga](https://s26.postimg.org/72cc82di1/tree-vashistasana.jpg) photo: Nat Anfield | model: Katrina Ariel --- ## More gratitude and a shout out to #teamgood. --- **Thank you for reading!** Without you, my friends, my readers, my existence on Steemit would be lacking the fun and meaningfulness I speak of in this post. You’re the best! Thanks to the contest sponsors @dobartim, @flysky, and @aidasfg7. Congratulations to all the winners who have been chosen so far! Thank you also to @battleaxe for starting #teamgood, an initiative that encourages Steemians to share the love and make a difference. **A portion of the rewards from this post will go to @youarehope.** **#TeamGood** --- What about you? How has Steemit impacted your life? Peace. @katrina-ariel ![linebreak](https://s26.postimg.org/9kalz26ex/line-divider-clean.png) ![Katrina Ariel](https://s26.postimg.org/q1a4gaq3t/purple-hat-_Katrina_Ariel.jpg) All photos mine unless otherwise credited. ![linebreak](https://s26.postimg.org/9kalz26ex/line-divider-clean.png) [![IOW COLOR LOGO.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYc3Ncto2Q52AeT5TKxTuyoCNtYnY5Ytze7hEU8hiNonj/IOW%20COLOR%20LOGO.png)](https://discord.gg/TPh9dHM) *Banner courtesy of @PegasusPhysics* ![the alliance](https://s26.postimg.org/5me8mw4sp/thealliance-rainbow-orcas.png) ![steemusa](https://s26.postimg.org/u8bouwlxl/katrina-ariel_red_USA.png) *The Alliance and SteemUSA Banners by @bearone*