In the spirit of Valentine’s Day...
The first time I actually earned money
Think back to the first time you made money—your own money that you actually earned.
Mine was completely unexpected.
I had written a poem for fun, inspired by Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t meant for anyone in particular—just something I poured my heart into. The next day, I shared it with a few of my classmates.
They loved it.
And, apparently, they couldn’t stop talking about it.
Word spread, and a boy from the class above mine heard about it. He came up to me later that day, curious. After I read the poem to him, he asked if I could write one for his girlfriend as a Valentine’s gift.
The next day, I handed him the poem. He handed me the money I asked for.
My first ever sale.
Looking back, I definitely undercharged.
But what did I know about pricing? I was just a student. And besides, what did I even need money for? If I had charged more, I probably would have felt guilty.
I didn’t do any price research—I just picked a number that felt “fair.”
But do you know the most painful part of this story?
I have no copy of that poem.
The one that made me my first bit of money.
The one that proved my words had power.
Even if I had kept it, I probably would have torn it apart in my mind, calling my success pure luck—the result of being a one-eyed person in the land of the blind.
Lessons I’m Taking From That Experience
1. Practice makes you better than average
Even if my poem stood out just because no one else around me was writing, it still mattered. The truth is, most people never even try.
I remember spending hours alone after school, sitting in a quiet corner, writing. Songs that never got released. Poems that never got published. Ideas that never saw the light of day.
And yet, all of that silent practice turned me into someone who could write something that moved people. Even when I thought my ideas were bad. Even when inspiration didn’t strike.
That consistency paid off.
2. You’re not a machine. Give yourself grace.
Hard work is important, but you’ll burn out if you never rest.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to step away. Go outside. Listen to the wind. Feel the grass or the sand beneath your feet. Let your mind wander.
Some of the best ideas come when you’re not forcing them.
3. External validation is fuel—but don’t let it be your oxygen.
The praise I got from my classmates kept me going. It made me feel seen.
But what if they hadn’t praised me? Would I have stopped writing?
Validation is great, but if it’s the only thing pushing you forward, you’ll crash the moment it disappears.
Use it as a bonus, not your foundation.
4. Get good at your craft, and the money will follow.
If my poetry wasn’t good—at least by the standards of those around me—no one would have paid for it. If I hadn’t practiced in my spare time, I wouldn’t have been able to move people with my words.
Skill creates opportunity.
5. Share your work.
How can you be discovered if you don’t put yourself out there?
If I hadn’t shared my poem with my classmates, they wouldn’t have told that boy about it. And if he hadn’t heard, I wouldn’t have gotten my first client.
You never know who’s watching.
Practical Things You Can Do Today
Share Your Work. Post something related to what you do—whether it’s music, poetry, writing, or anything else. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just put it out there.
Tell Your Story. Share your own story about the first time you made money doing what you love.
Recognize Your Strengths. Think about something you constantly get complimented on. That’s a clue. Use it to your advantage—but don’t become dependent on the praise.
Archive Your Creations. Create a folder, physical or digital, to keep all your creations even if it's for the sake of future nostalgia alone.
You’ll thank yourself later.