I just hit 60 rep and broke 5000 posts (over 4800 are comments), so that’s pretty sweet. I’ve been here for about nine months. Figure it’s a good time to do a challenge called #SteemAndMe.

This is a new challenge created by @snowpea, intended to help us think about some of the best things about the Steem blockchain, and some things that need improving. I’d love to add another bit, focusing on solutions, so I’ll do that, too.

This is a joyful post because this platform has brought a lot of goodness into my life. Like #haturday, for instance. In case you don't know, every day is Haturday and @saffisara says the only rule is to do it your way and have fun! Love that philosophy.

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Steem and Me – Five Questions

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1.) In my opinion, what are the two greatest aspects of the Steem platform?

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Genuine, Caring People.

Whether you’re using Steemit.com, SteemPeak.com, or any other front-end, the social aspect of the Steem blockchain in combination with Discord servers are an incredible way to bring people together. Never in my life have I been so involved in an international community that brings joy to my life every single day.

I love the people I’ve met since discovering Steem. Y’all have made my life happier.

Creativity and Support.

I’m on fire creatively, in ways I haven’t been in many years, and much of that is due to the motivation and encouragement I get in return for sharing my creations. I’ve written more songs in the last few months than I’ve written in the last decade. I’ve got poems spontaneously erupting into form, and have never had so much fun blogging.

The comments I receive from those who take the time to read my posts make a world of difference, and I am grateful for every upvote that adds to my slowly but constantly growing wallet. I power up most of what I earn, and love that I can use Steem to donate to causes like @tarc and @youarehope, and tip content creators with services like @tipu and @alliedforces.

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2.) What are the 2 largest complaints I have concerning the Steem platform, and what possibilities do I see for improvement?

I added the last part of this question because I don’t like to complain without at least thinking about solutions, so here goes!

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Simplicity, or lack thereof.

Blockchain technology can take some getting used to. For some, it’s intimidating, but, in my experience, if you jump in and learn a little bit each day it’s totally doable.

The Steem blockchain supports a still-evolving ecosystem of platforms and services, and I’m excited to be part of this experiment, but I think the amount of information turns some people off before they even get going. The good news is there are new front ends like SteemPeak.com that offer different site layout and features—remember, Steemit is only one small part of what runs on the blockchain. I know very little about other front-ends and apps, but I know there are a lot of developers working to make this thing even more awesome.

Me, I'm in it for the long haul.

User retention.

Hey, y’all, come on in and stay for a while. Don’t take off when crypto does its roller-coaster ride, keep doing your thing and making relationships with all the fascinating people who are here. Watch what it does over the long term.

Communities are key. I think the most important thing for user retention is for people to find communities and receive at least something for their efforts. There are a number of projects that reach out to newcomers and offer to help them learn the ropes. What we’ve got is great, and it needs to keep growing.

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3.) What 2 moments are the most memorable to me?

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Easy answer: the two meetups I’ve attended.

First, I had a blast getting to know some Steem peeps in Tennessee. Here’s my post about the Nashville meetup that happened in May. There’s even a live music performance in there by yours truly. I didn’t want the night to end, it was so much fun!

Most recently I spent a weekend retreat with some fabulous friends in Georgia, where I reconnected with some people I met at the Tennessee meetup, and got to make a few new friends, as well!

Photo by @enginewitty, who is pictured here to my right, next to @ameliabartlett and @hobotang. These are three of the many people who have become part of my worldwide family. So glad I've been able to spend time with them in person!

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4.) What are the two most important lessons I've learned in my time as a Steemian?

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Be genuine, be you.

Seek out communities and be active in them.

The friendships are worth far more than $10 Steem, though that’d be good too. ;)

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5.) Out of my entire time here, what 2 posts am I most proud of?

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Ohmygosh, this one is hard, but I’ll pick these two:

Get Your Witness Votes In — This contest was designed to motivate people to research witnesses and VOTE for them. I initially offered up 10 SBD, but had quite a bit donated, so the pot went up to I think 45 SBD by the end, and I picked a whole bunch of winners. The comments in this post were fabulous, and it seemed to be appreciated by the community as a whole.

You vote for witnesses, right? If you don’t know what it’s about, please, go read that post, research and vote! You'll find I also have a footer below with suggestions for some fabulous witnesses.

Yes, this is important. ;)

Hokule’a Star of Gladness — Steemit Name Challenge. This one tells you about my name and why I don’t like to be called “Kat.” A great post to get to know me better. Also, some happy, chill Hawaiian music. :)

That's it. This was so much fun!

I’ll nominate the following people to do this post, as I’d love to see y’alls answers: @eaglespirit, @dreemsteem, @zen-art, @topkpop, @dswigle, @tattoodjay, @sircork, @zipporah, @thekittygirl, @shadowspub, @artemisnorth, @snook, @saffisara, @enchantedspirit, @enginewitty, @inthenow, @ameliabartlett, @hobotang, @crescendoofpeace, and @papacrusher.

Yeah, I named a lot of people. If you’re one of them and aren’t inspired to do the post, I don’t mind. But if you do the five questions, please tag me because I want to make sure to read it. I can’t wait to discover your memorable moments and learn what your top two posts are!

Check out the original Steem and Me post, and feel free to jump in! Thanks for nominating me, @snowpea! This is a great one. ;)

Whatever happens, keep singing your song!

Peace. @katrina-ariel

Photos mine unless otherwise credited. Obama gif via giphy.com

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steem.

dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne

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CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR WITNESSES

Witnesses keep the blockchain alive, and it costs nothing to vote for them, so please do so. @enginewitty, @jackmiller, @drakos, @guiltyparties, @gtg, @steemgigs, @curie, @noblewitness, @lukestokes.mhth, @c0ff33a, @sapphic, @followbtcnews, @swelker101, @yabapmatt, @pfunk, @helpie — There are so many good ones. Do some research and cast your votes!