The 4 Most Helpful Stories I’ve Read on Medium

7 min readNov 18, 2020

We all know that the majority of articles on Medium, at least that ones that get in front of an audience, are ones that try to help a reader with a problem of some sort. Maybe you want career advice, or perhaps tips on a modern fitness routine while quarantining during these trying times.

And while I wish that some of the writing on this site was more creative sometimes, I also have come across plenty of ingenious pieces that both help the reader and engage them in a fun way that separates them from the other articles you see on your feed.

Here are four of the best articles I’ve read on Medium in my three months writing on the site, in no particular order. Hopefully you’ll find them as helpful as I did!

When trying to get on your feet and gain traction here on Medium, one of the most important first steps is to get accepted into a publication. Publications have much larger audiences than you have as one single person, so getting your work into one of these pubs gives you the opportunity to get your articles in front of more eye balls.

This brilliantly crafted article by Bhavna Narula gives you 45 different pubs in one tidy place to submit your work to, and she does so in a fun prose-style format. I left this article grinning ear to ear, and being extremely appreciative of getting all of these publications listed conveniently.

There are a variety of different pubs listed in this piece, from general pubs to writing pubs, from life advice pubs to love and fiction. Everyone has their own niche they want to find, and there is certainly a pick of the litter here that doesn’t discriminate to one specific topic area. Give this one a read right away to wet your feet on publication knowledge!

The Case for Living With Your Parents After College

A couple long years in your hometown will set you up for the future

medium.com

As a 25 year old who stills live with his parents, this article was extremely encouraging that I should not get too down on myself for choosing to live at home. Post-college life is very confusing and frustrating, with so much job insecurity and influx right now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic just adding on to the stress.

Ryan Porter organizes his work in a way that is easy on the eyes, laying out a plan to the reader on how you should go about finding ways to enjoy your life while living in a childhood setting. He points out that either you will have to sacrifice your emotional freedom with Mom and Dad, or your financial freedom in your own apartment. It’t okay to live life at your own pace, as long as you have a plan. This is a must-read for guilty millennials living at home.

How to Stop Being Cute in Your Writing

My favorite writing advice from @Ayodeji Awosika

writingcooperative.com

Taylor Foreman is favorite writer of mine, and this is his best recent piece. “Being cute” while writing on the internet is a plight that most of us have gone through. We try to find our voice in any way that we can, even if that means writing in an inauthentic manner. He adds some references to Ayodeji Awosika and his work, which is always helpful, as Ayo is one of the most successful writers here on Medium.

This article argues that readers can tell when an article is trying too hard to make a point, or attempting to be something that it simply is not. It encourages you to find your own voice, no matter what that is, and let the readers choose whether they like you for you.

One Month On Medium, Now What?

I’m making critical decisions to keep my sanity intact

medium.com

This article is similar in message to the previous one we just talked about in that it encourages people to be who they are and not succumb to pressure. It adds an extra layer of personal touch for new writers on Medium, though, which I still am at only three or so months into the experience.

Olivia Marlene writes in such an authentic tone, reflecting on the acceptance that her writing may never turn into a financially successful venture, but she will enjoy the ride while it lasts, wherever it takes her. I find that any novice on Medium will find this piece to be very comforting that everyone is in the same place of frustration and acceptance while learning about the blogging lifestyle.

What are some of the most helpful articles you’ve read on Medium? List them in the comments section below. Let’s help support one another and find answers to our questions with some great writing!

The 4 Most Helpful Stories I’ve Read on Medium

Written by Lovelygags