Why I Write on Quora Despite Low Upvotes

John was about to cross the street one day when his elderly neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, called out to him. She was holding her little finger, and they began to talk as he walked with her. As they strolled, they spotted a tiny fish struggling on the roadside. John mentioned that it might have escaped from a fisherman's net. Mrs. Thompson's face softened as she looked at the struggling fish. She then paused thoughtfully and said:

After throwing the fish back, I asked her, 'Why do you care about those other fish that you haven’t even seen? Why don’t you just think about the fish in front of you, which you just saved?' She replied, 'Because I can only think about and save the one fish in front of me, not the entire pond. That's my responsibility.'

With that, Mrs. Thompson placed the fish back into the pond, and they continued their walk. The analogy of saving the fish resonated with me, just as it may be resonating with you right now. Why do I still write on Quora when I am not getting enough upvotes?

My Journey on Quora

I have more than 3,000 followers, and sometimes I find it incredibly rewarding. These numbers may seem impressive, but they often come with a silver lining: I receive fewer than twenty upvotes per answer on a regular basis. I don't know the exact reason for this, but I also don't know how to stop it even if I wanted to. Some of my regular readers even ask me why I haven't been answering my usual quota of questions. They are turned off by the lack of notifications, even though their notifications are on for me.

Exploring the Question of Motivation

Should I stop writing on Quora? Absolutely not. Just like Mrs. Thompson emphasized, I only have a responsibility to help the fish in front of me, not every fish in the pond. Similarly, my responsibility is to put my best effort into each answer and make sure that the limited number of users who read my answers regularly are not disappointed.

No matter how many followers I have or how many views my answers receive, what matters most is that I provide a worthy answer, even if it only gets a single upvote. If even a single person benefits from my answers, they are not worthless, and I should not stop writing.

Writing as a Habit

I write on Quora not for the upvotes and views. Unfortunately, I often don’t get either. But still, I try to write at least one answer every day. I find it beneficial to write, just like it is beneficial to read. Whether I am writing a blog or answering questions on Quora, my initial motivation is simply to form a good habit. Answering questions does not necessarily motivate me. It’s more about cultivating a positive habit that keeps my mind engaged and active.

For many, writing can be therapeutic, a way to express oneself and process thoughts. It can also serve as a form of self-reflection and personal growth. Even if your article or answer doesn’t receive much attention, reflecting on the process of writing itself can be incredibly rewarding. Sometimes, the act of writing is the most valuable part, regardless of the external validation it receives.

Conclusion

Just as Mrs. Thompson had a responsibility to save the fish before her, I have a responsibility to write even when the rewards are fewer. The value of writing lies not only in the upvotes and views but also in the habit of expressing oneself and the positive influence it can have on others. Keep writing, whether it's on Quora or elsewhere, and let your efforts shine through in the words you put down.

Keywords: Quora, Upvotes, Writing Motivation