I’ve been thinking about resonance – real connection with people who actually get me. The ones who notice the texture behind the words, who can sit with a pause, who respond in subtle ways that make conversation feel alive. It’s almost impossible to manufacture.

Threads. I tried it. I wrote, polished, stayed faithful to my truth. Some ideas were mine, some clarified with ChatGPT. Flicker of resonance? Nothing. Zero. Fine. For me, it’s an archive. Honest, first and foremost.

TikTok… I haven’t restarted. I went there a few times, saw the noise, and thought: why bother? But it does offer presence, voice, rhythm – things writing alone can’t convey. Someone might click. But resonance is rare. The algorithm is a fickle god.

I’ve been buying into this cultural lie that doing what you love will produce meaning, connection, and money. Threads, social media, the romanticised creator life – all variations of the same story: create and people will see, resonate, reward. Comforting, seductive, incomplete. It ignores the rarity of resonance and the realities of survival.

Here’s what I’ve realised. Separate the lanes.

Income lane: Practical, survival-focused. Sustain myself, pay the bills, move away from ESL. No resonance required.

Resonance lane: For me. Reflection, presence, honest expression. Low-pressure, low-stakes, may never reach anyone – and that’s fine.

I can pursue each lane on its own terms. No guilt, no forcing a merge. Monetise separately, create freely, and if a few people resonate along the way, bonus. If not, still valuable.

The “do what you love, and money will follow” story? Bullshit. Not literal. A story to feel principled while fumbling around. I can let it go.

Resonance is rare. Connection is sparse. Presence is fleeting. That’s reality. But I can still create, observe, live my rhythm. That’s freeing. That’s the whole point. Stop chasing myths, stop seeking validation, let the rare sparks happen where they may. The rest is just living.