Hive Without Rewards: Would I Stay?

Would I still use Hive without rewards? This is a topic that requires a sincere response without beating about the bush. No doubt, the rewards here are what keep most people to date. Even with the high decrease in value since last year, some people still hang around for the little reward that still comes out.

Now, if we wake up one day to see that rewards have been completely removed on Hive but the platform is still functional for us to share our stories, engage with others, and keep going, will I still be here, hiving all the way, doing the same thing?

To be sincere, it was the reward that attracted me to HIVE in the first place. The idea of writing, engaging with others, and earning alongside felt like a big treasure, and I embraced the opportunity with my two arms. Hive gave me hope, especially in a country like mine, where the economic hardship is too extreme.

However, I will be honest to say that so far, I have come to realize that I have stuck here not only because of rewards. A space where I freely express how I feel, connect with new people, and share and document my real-life stories—that's lots of value. Sometimes, I scroll back to my old blogs on Hive, and it feels good with the memories, the growth, and the online diary overall.

I remember the days my posts earned zero and also the days they earned very minimal, yet I still see myself writing almost daily . I think I love the sense of community we enjoy here on Hive. Sometimes, a well-thought-out comment under my post can mean more than the payout attached to it; I have experienced this more often. The way fellow hiver do lift my spirit through a comment sometimes cannot be equated with reward.

On the other hand, Hive pushed me to become an intentional writer, something I never nursed the idea of writing before. It's amazing to see the many stories buried inside of me resurrecting on Hive...lol. I couldn't believe I could create fictional stories too; there has been lots of value from this space, and without reward, I believe the value remains.

I wouldn't pretend that the reward is secondary; in fact, the reward has been what is fueling my consistency here, and without mixing words, when rewards are removed, the activity here will be reduced very well too because only a few would love to continue creating without reward even though they do so on Facebook without reward.

Personally, without reward, I will still be using Hive, but not like before. I would still share my stories because writing has become part of me since four years ago in this space, but that wouldn't be with intensity. Hopefully, I will still receive those warm feedbacks that lift my low spirit when I feel overwhelmed.

Overall, rewards may attract most people to Hive, but passion and community are what make many stay, including me.

Image is mine !