Why Do I Answer Questions on Quora - A Journey of Humor, Growth, and Impact
My journey on Quora started not from a place of expertise or a burning desire to share knowledge, but rather a curiosity to deflect and entertain. I've spent my life on my hands and knees, often incrementally improving my life through small, mundane actions that add up over time. Back in the day, I found solace in hanging out all night, drinking beers, and concocting humorous scenarios that seemed like a distant luxury now. Life is funny how it turns full circles, isn't it?
The Humorous Side of Quora
When I first delved into Quora, my primary motivation was to provide those ne’er-do-well answers that would challenge the Norm and bring a dose of levity to the platform. Being a jokester is part of my fabric. My motto has always been, "why engage with people unless they can be used for personal gain?" It’s a philosophy that might gain you favor in certain circles, but it doesn’t sit well with my inner laughter. The irony is, I’ve leveraged this reputation to attract attention that has led to some unexpected, even profound, outcomes.
The Path to Purpose
Once, during a particularly drawn-out stint of vocabulary quizzes on the internet, I stumbled upon a snippet about high school. Intrigued, I expanded this snippet into a wild, often exaggerated story that culminated in a bizarre anecdote. To my surprise, it was published, and since then, I haven’t stopped at simple quizzes. Instead, I found myself perusing questions on Quora that piqued my interest and sparked my creativity.
Sometimes, a question is so deeply thought-provoking that it warrants a sincere response. At other times, it’s the sheer joy of knowing the factual and truthful answer that compels me to share. However, I have a keen eye for spotting TROLL questions - if a question smells like it, I simply report, block, and mute the account before moving on to the next.
The Romance of Writing
Romantic fiction was the gateway for my early forays into Quora. I spent nights binge-watching romantic movies, reading romantic fiction, and even binging on The Vampire Diaries. I had a secret desire to be one of those popular writers whose answers attracted drool-worthy comments from girls. The reality hit hard when I realized my writing sucked like a vacuum cleaner. Persistence and determination were my only tools, and I kept writing, forcing my way through roadblocks, despite the pain every word inflicted.
A few years into this journey, I received a message from a girl that moved me beyond words. The comment didn't matter as much as the shift in my perspective. Seeing a comment like "You saved my life" started a new chapter in my journey. Writers on Quora who shared their personal struggles and life advice resonated with me, and suddenly my desire was to be one of them.
Writing about my own journey, from childhood hardships to personal growth, brought me an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. It felt good, more than anything else I had written before. That was the turning point.
Saving Lives Through Words
One particular comment stands out. A girl, fighting through chemotherapy for her third-stage lung cancer, found solace in my answers. She told me that they gave her the strength to live despite an inevitable outcome. This statement, "You saved my life," was the ultimate validation. It was a driving force that propelled me to share more of my personal secrets to empower others.
The Impact of Authenticity
There's a unique magic to writing that comes from being personal and authentic. The more raw and genuine your writing, the more it resonates with others. It builds bridges and fosters understanding in ways that numbers and cold facts cannot.
In the end, I write for myself, for you, and for others like Neha who endured the cancer battle. We are all gifted. We all have the potential to touch lives in ways we cannot even imagine.