I have been grappling with the idea of niching since I started this blog. Should I only write about art? About style? About cooking? And yes, a lot of people have suggested I choose a direction or otherwise "niche". Here’s the thing about starting your own business or creative endeavor-- everyone and their mother has an opinion and will share it without solicitation. I hear weddings and having babies are the same way. However, these experiences and explorations are very personal. I have learned that we have to find our own way, alone. Because we are not writing for other people and their mothers or starting their dream companies, we are doing it for ourselves and have to learn how to “fail harder” on our own terms.
So, in this case and AT THIS TIME, I can’t do it. I can’t niche. I have these pieces inside of me that need to be written. I’m a writer and that’s what writers do. They write. They write about weird things. For example sometimes, I wake up in the morning feeling the lines and circles under my eyes that have become more apparent in my near 30 years of living and I want to address what beauty solutions I should undertake because I’m vain and it matters to me that I don’t look like a member of the Addams family. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.
Other times, I want to write about what outfit I’m wearing or styles I’m into, even though, at the heart of everything I’m kind of a minimalist and I am always trying to get rid of my things. Sometimes, I cook fancy meals for the people I love, other times, I pop a bottle of wine and munch on quesadillas.
I’m a contradiction. I’m human. Frankly, it’s ridiculous how in the blogging community these women are expected to be just shy of perfect.
So to answer the question, yes, I think there is definitely a time and space for niching but for me and this blog, I have to follow my heart. That is what it comes down to when doing any sort of creative work. Prior to this blog I did all that brand building and fictitious name business, it was a great learning experience but this space is about weird little ol’ me and if we are lucky it won’t ruin my career in the art world.
xx