Opinion: Thoughts on 'Niche' Blogging

I'm sure you would have come across at least one of those articles at some point. The ones that promise to let you in on the secrets to blogging success, how to gain more readers and how to transform your blog into a reputable brand. And I'm sure that you would have read that one of the most important things to do in order to achieve success is to establish your niche.

Having blogged for just over five years now on various platforms, I have come to realise how much my interests and tastes have changed (and undoubtedly will continue to change) in such a short period of time. I have always struggled with the apparent need to find a niche. I consider myself to be a very multifaceted person. This trait can become incredibly overwhelming at times because I am often left wondering what it is I want in life. I don't have any particular, burning passions. All I know is that I'm passionate about learning as much as I can, doing as many things as possible and living as many varied experiences that I can in life. As a result, I have always been at a loss about what my blog is. It's a reflection of myself, but what even is that? I guess you could say that it's an amalgamation of lifestyle, food, travel and book posts. But even then I feel limited. If I wish to post something that veers away from these topics, I second guess myself. But whose to say I can't post whatever the hell I want? I think me being a perfectionist, I still feel that I should establish a niche so my blog can be more ordered and not just comprise of ramblings about anything and everything. So many 'successful' blogs are the case of what you see is what you get. They stick so masterfully to their craft, sometimes delving into their personal lives, but for the most part their content remains 'stable'. It's truly admirable where blogging can take you these days and I say good work to those who have been able to make it a career. But when I think about simplifying my content, defining my 'niche', I just can't fathom it.

The amount of worrying I did in the past may very well have been unnecessarily self-inflicted, but I do feel there is a bigger pressure to be a certain person in the blogging world. That is, to construct an image and be known for posting particular content. Back when I first started blogging, it wasn't really like this. Blogging was a lot more laid back, and when it all comes down to it, that's how I want to blog: when I feel like it and when my words pour so effortlessly from my fingertips as they are right now. Perhaps that's why I have finally come to realise that it doesn't matter what and how I blog. I blog for myself and for my wonderful readers and it makes me so happy. When it comes to that, I say screw the rules!

So, as it stands, my blog may seem to be a bit of a mess. It may just be a reflection of me trying to figure things out and sharing with you little snippets of my life, my interests, my thoughts and ideas along the way. I have wanted to write this for so long but struggled with how to go about writing it and, most of all, being afraid of posting it for such a silly reason that I didn't think it would be something anyone would want to read. In hindsight, the blog posts that I debated putting up (such as this one and this one) are my favourites. I feel that through them I found an integral part of my 'voice'. I will strive to create more pieces I am proud of. I want to continue blogging about food, lifestyle, travel and books, but I also don't want to second guess myself if I ever want to post about more serious topics, whether they be about my personal life or the wider world. I want to achieve a success that is not determined by how well a post is received, but how true, how honest and how passionate a reflection it is of me and the things I care about.

What are your opinions on niche blogging and the topic of 'successful' blogging?

Things I did in 2015

As I reflect on the year passed, I can't shake the fact that 2015 was the year that saw me grow more than ever before. It's crazy to think that this time last year I was living it up in Paris. I brought in the New Year in the most exciting way possible by being in a foreign city, dancing until the early hours with fellow wandering hearts and marveling at the city of lights while stumbling back to the hostel at 3am. The trip set in motion the promise of a fantastic year and it made me realise that it's my thoughts and actions that determine a fulfilling year. I learnt that I have so much to gain by pushing myself and working hard. Not just dreaming, but doing and approaching my fears full on.

I am so grateful for this year and the experiences it presented. After reading an article in the recent Frankie titled 'What I Did This Year', I felt inspired to create my own list, which ranges from brilliant to somewhat banal. All are moments I cherish dearly. It seemed a fitting way to wave off 2015 but also serves as a reminder for the coming new year that exciting things are on the horizon...as long as I am willing to embrace everything that comes my way and seek out experiences that make me feel most alive. 

1. Went solo traveling for the first time 2. Discovered Paris was everything I dreamed it would be and more 3. Lived with a host family in Vichy and attended an intensive language school 4. Dabbled in freelance work for the first time 5. Bid adieu to my teen years 6.  Got a new job 7. Had a non-fiction piece published in an anthology 8. Went to Sydney to attend the launch of said anthology 9. Veered outside of my comfort zone multiple times, including attending a dinner with seven strangers 10. Made a film for one of my communications units 11. Achieved my highest ever grade of 87% for a unit 12. Visited relatives in the Netherlands, some of whom I’ve never met before 13. Read a decent amount of books of a diverse range of genres 14. Saw One Direction and Sam Smith live (the former being one of the most amazing experiences of my life!) 15. Developed quite an obsession for independent magazines, discovering a number of excellent publications such as Oh Comely and Womankind 16. Probably spent an obscene amount of my hard earned money on brunch and coffee 17. Became more confident in myself than ever before 18. Took part in the Oh Comely perfect strangers package swap 19. Saw many peers and friends graduate and began to feel both excited and nervous knowing that I will be in their position in just over 6 months… 20. Enjoyed every moment of the year, the challenges and the triumphs. 

Tiny Tales from Sydney #2: Shelley Beach, Manly

A trip to Manly initially wasn't on the cards, but we decided to take the fifteen minute voyage one afternoon. We stayed for a total of about three hours. I wish it could have been more. The beach side suburb is full of life with tourists and Sydneysiders both young and old found lying on the shore or eating ice-cream on the boulevard. But there was one place in particular that cast me under a certain spell. A short walk along the mesmerizing coast leads to Shelly Beach, the closest thing to a tropical oasis that I have been lucky enough to visit. Home to a large variety of marine life, Shelley is  popular with Scuba Divers and Snorkelers, but is just as populated with holiday makers and locals. It is the perfect sheltered spot with stunning blue waters and white as white can be sand. Beneath the shade of palm trees and the faint smell of salty sea in air, it felt like nothing could be more perfect in that moment. This is the place that turned me into an enthusiastic beach person. Never have I fallen so in love with the sea so fiercely as I did that perfect Spring day.

Tiny Tales from Sydney: The Grounds

The first day in Sydney, we were up and ready at 8am and I couldn't wait to bolt out the door. I had one place and one place only in mind for breakfast that morning: The Grounds of Alexandria. I discovered their cafe via instagram (generally where I find most hip and happening eateries) and despite getting lost on our way there, that extra mile was worth it. Breakfast isn't the sole draw card. True, I had one of the most decadent chai lattes ever which, despite the $6 price, was worth every cent. My avocado toast was far from ordinary, as the heirloom tomatoes, pomegranate, za'tar and garden mint and micro herbs elevated the simple dish. But what is most appealing about the Grounds is the grounds. It's such a beautiful and meticulously kept space. There's a petting farm with resident pig 'Kevin Bacon', pots aplenty and a florist with the most stunning blooms (I was very snap happy in there). At the weekend, there are also food stalls, selling such things as lemonade and fresh berries. I was a little disappointed to miss out on the produce, having visited on Monday, but overall, it didn't deter from the wonderful morning.

The Grounds is a landmark spot in Sydney, and I'm glad I made the trip. My morning there definitely lived up to the hype.

Lessons From My Former Self

I've noticed that there are quite a few posts in the form of 'lessons to my former/past self' around the web and I always enjoy reading them. It seems like there are a thousand and one things that I wish I could tell my former self that would have made life just that bit easier and my worries seem just that bit less significant in the grand scheme of things. However today, while flicking through a diary from last year, I was struck by what my former self can teach my present self.

The diary entry that prompted this realisation was one in which I wrote about the topic of validation, something I feel I've always struggled with. I suppose it's human nature to seek approval from others, but when it gets obsessive, it can be harmful. This diary entry was the culmination of a few months of feeling like I constantly had to 'please' others, to 'prove' myself; to peers, to family, to friends and, as much as I hate to admit it, to men. I'm going to be honest here and say I have never been in a relationship before, and while this doesn't bother me for the most part, I do feel myself questioning what is 'wrong' with me on occasions. Am I not pretty enough? Interesting enough? Funny enough? What am I doing so horribly wrong? In the end though, these poisonous thoughts make me feel disappointed for ever doubting myself. Former me definitely knew what was up. It may read as being quite self-indulgent, but I admire the fierce belief that validation should not be the precondition for self-worth. I feel this is something of which I should remind myself each and every day. 

I've slowly learnt to empower myself over the past year, to believe that there are no limits in what I can achieve. I may appear quiet and reserved, but I am also quietly fierce, determined and not about to let anything get in my way or bring me down.

Why then, in recent months, have I found myself seeking validation? Validation of my appearance, talents, aspirations, personality. I almost despise myself for indulging in this 'flaw'. But in fleeting moments of loneliness, it can be hard to like and love myself first, and easier to feel happy when someone validates me. I don't want to be this way. I want to love myself wholly and completely without question. I want to prove to myself that I am a woman who doesn't need permission, validation or the opinion of another man. My quest for greatness will be entirely my own and it will be all the more glorious.

I feel it does no good to write off the past completely. It wasn't all doom and gloom, and it was a period which saw we, as human beings, grow and learn every day, as we continue to do now. Through it, we are able to reflect on things which can help shape our current lives. I feel thankful that my former self wrote down moments of revelation as they continue to guide me today.

What lessons can your former self teach you?