An Open Letter to Medium
Breaking up is hard to do
Hey, we need to talk.
I think we both know that things have been different recently, and I’m not sure I have the words to explain how I feel about that.
But I have to try.
If You Love Something, Let It Go
We’ve known each other for a long time, and when we started seeing each other more regularly, it just felt right. I loved spending time with you.
Having a partner like you was fresh and exciting. You were generous and gave me the freedom and support I missed elsewhere.
Sure, we had our ups and downs over the years, but I always felt that this was how we would grow and learn from each other.
At least, that’s how I used to think. The last few months haven’t been the same, and I think we need to take a break.
We’re Just On Two Different Paths Right Now
You talked about giving up clickbait titles, but I see them everywhere I go. They’re in the daily emails you send me and also in the mix tapes you make me on the front page of medium.com.
They make me sad, and I don’t believe you will ever be free of them.
Sometimes, I even find myself using clickbait titles, and I hate that I do that. It’s not the writer I want to be, but when I’m with you, it feels like I need to be someone else to get you to like me.
I need space. I really need to work on myself right now. I need time to reflect on what I want because this isn’t it.
I Love You, I’m Just Not In Love With You
You have so much going for you. From the outside looking in, everyone has good things to say about you and the community of people you have cultivated over the years.
But you’ve changed. You and I have less in common now than we ever did.
Your recent attempt to reinvent yourself is not working for me. I’m sure it’s fine for other people, but for tech writers like myself, it’s like you never look at me anymore.
You used to introduce me to all kinds of amazing people, but now I feel alone and unwanted.
You don’t seem interested in what I have to say, and the time and effort that I put into this relationship now leaves me wanting more.
All of this confirms what I have felt for a while now.
It’s not me, it’s you.
I Think We Should See Other People
So, I guess this is goodbye.
I know you won’t mind if I box up my belongings and take them with me. You’ve always been good that way.
I just feel like I need a place of my own, somewhere I can reset, write more freely, and find a new partner.
Don’t get me wrong. It was fun while it lasted, and I won’t cry because it’s over. Instead, I will smile because it happened.
Maybe our paths will cross again one day. If they do, please be sure to stop by and say hello. Just know that I can’t go back to the way things were.
I’m a different person now. I need to feel appreciated for the things that I do best, and, unfortunately, that means I have to leave.
I never thought it would end this way, but here we are.
Medium, I wish you all the success in the world.
