I understand the need to have a “niche” because it seems like that’s all we’re told, but I don’t think that’s true. I think you can be and post about all the versions of yourself and all of your interests! If it makes you happy, it’ll show throw in the writing. Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for the mention, and for bigging me up ❤️🙏🏻 you're way too lovely. Remember that time I sent you the first draft of my zine to get your feedback, because I genuinely valued your opinion? We definitely belong in the same club - all those feelings you mentioned - me too, all the time. Too weird, pretty annoying actually, that's me. I think you should write about whatever you feel like writing - stuff the niches - it doesn't have to fit anywhere, in my opinion. Obviously, my main 'theme' is neurodivergence, but most of the crap I churn out is just my late afternoon ramblings when I get the urge to write it down! My theory is, I'm neurodivergent, therefore, everything I write relates to that in some way. If your niche is parenting, everything you write is linked to parenting, because you're a parent. Great work around huh? Letting go of my expectations, of the platform, but mostly of myself, has been my greatest achievement here so far! Please message me if you ever want to rant or need a bit of validation, or reassurance - I chat to someone here - we listen to all of each other's weirdness, and it makes a big difference!
Thank you so much, it really means a lot. I guess it's just a lifetime of trying to fit into a box and now I'm spilling out! I might take you up on the messaging 😘
Here's the truth: no one knows what they're doing, and we're all just throwing spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks. My advice is follow your intuition, follow your heart. You'll start to find what it is that you seek (which I believe you're well on your way to discovering). And, bravo for writing this vulnerable post! I can totally relate, and, unfortunately, I don't think there's a cure for imposter syndrome. I've been on Substack for over a year now, and I'm still tinkering and facing imposter syndrome every month! Good luck to you (but I don't think you'll need it)!
Oh my gosh this is SO relatable, I could have written it myself. For the first time in awhile, I find myself with out a draft post or idea percolating in my brain, and starting to feel stressed about it and then I’m like WHY. I was explaining to a friend this weekend about Substack and the lovely community here but it also made me realize that I don’t know at all what I’m doing. As such, I have no words of wisdom or advice except to say you are very much not alone.
Thank you, I'm just going to keep going and see what happens 🤷♀️ also your writing is great – take a break if you need to but I'm sure you'll be brimming over with ideas again before you know it!
And another thing I’ve been pondering: just because we’re moms who write doesn’t mean we have to stick to ‘mumsy’ stuff. We were humans before our babies — pretty cool ones, too 🤣. We’re multidimensional, and I’d love to see all the other sides of the writing moms out here ❤️❤️❤️
I resonate with your way of thinking, Vikki, and I’m battling similar thoughts myself. One piece of advice I once received and loved is this: you don’t need to ‘find a niche’ — you ARE the niche. I come here because I love seeing you — in the funny, the deep, the messy, and the polished. So if your heart wants to experiment and play in this season of life, so be it! I’m here, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with — all of it ❤️❤️☀️
I totally get this and certainly struggle with the same thing. But reading your post, I realised that I don’t really want you to be sleeker or more refined or more pigeon-holed. I love your writing just the way it is. Free, untethered, random, inspiring and natural. I don’t think you should be trying to narrow yourself into some made up boxes, I think we all love you just the way you are. Poetry, fiction, a mum’s view and all. You write, we’ll read. It’s that simple ☺️
Oh Vikki, I felt every word of this — the uncertainty, the drafts that stare back, the too-much-and-never-enough ache. And I want you to know: you are not too much. You are honest. Funny. Thoughtful. Brave. And so very real.
I think your voice is your superpower. The way you write makes people feel like they’ve just been handed a warm drink and an invitation to sit down and stay awhile. I hope you never “streamline” that out of your work.
(Also? I would absolutely read all of those draft ideas — even the cat one. Especially the cat one. Ode to the drool and ode to the kitty haha)
Thank you for mentioning me here. I’m so incredibly honoured. And please remember — I’m cheering you on, always 🤍
I have a strong voice and a clear mission because I'm 67 and have been at this writing game in one way or another for decades. Experience matters. It counts. No one is great at something straight up. Well, very rarely. You'll get there.
And I love how you write. It's real, honest, authentic. And I know they are words that are over used nowadays, but hey, credit where credit is due, right?
You are a real writer.
And if it helps, I'm struggling to feel okay about writing fiction, as if writing fiction is a waste of time and I shouldn't be doing it (but cleaning the bathroom instead). So I'm procrastinating by reading Substack posts, putting off the inevitable, because I am writer of fiction, I can do it, I will do it. It will happen.
I value the heart-felt & relatable delivery of all you do. The flippant pieces are just as important as the very serious ones. You have a clear voice, and blooming into the motherhood writing scene has attracted (and will continue to attract) your readers to whatever you put forth. We're all a mixed bag, and you are free to showcase whatever brings you joy in each moment. We're here for it!
Vikki, I think you are your own thing and you’re lovely. You don’t need to fit into any box to belong here. ❤️
I do hope you’ll keep showing up and just being your wonderful self! I’m over here lurking 👀
Thank you, I hope you're okay, you have been missed! ❤
I understand the need to have a “niche” because it seems like that’s all we’re told, but I don’t think that’s true. I think you can be and post about all the versions of yourself and all of your interests! If it makes you happy, it’ll show throw in the writing. Just my 2 cents.
Thank you, it does make me happy 😊
Thanks for the mention, and for bigging me up ❤️🙏🏻 you're way too lovely. Remember that time I sent you the first draft of my zine to get your feedback, because I genuinely valued your opinion? We definitely belong in the same club - all those feelings you mentioned - me too, all the time. Too weird, pretty annoying actually, that's me. I think you should write about whatever you feel like writing - stuff the niches - it doesn't have to fit anywhere, in my opinion. Obviously, my main 'theme' is neurodivergence, but most of the crap I churn out is just my late afternoon ramblings when I get the urge to write it down! My theory is, I'm neurodivergent, therefore, everything I write relates to that in some way. If your niche is parenting, everything you write is linked to parenting, because you're a parent. Great work around huh? Letting go of my expectations, of the platform, but mostly of myself, has been my greatest achievement here so far! Please message me if you ever want to rant or need a bit of validation, or reassurance - I chat to someone here - we listen to all of each other's weirdness, and it makes a big difference!
Thank you so much, it really means a lot. I guess it's just a lifetime of trying to fit into a box and now I'm spilling out! I might take you up on the messaging 😘
Here's the truth: no one knows what they're doing, and we're all just throwing spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks. My advice is follow your intuition, follow your heart. You'll start to find what it is that you seek (which I believe you're well on your way to discovering). And, bravo for writing this vulnerable post! I can totally relate, and, unfortunately, I don't think there's a cure for imposter syndrome. I've been on Substack for over a year now, and I'm still tinkering and facing imposter syndrome every month! Good luck to you (but I don't think you'll need it)!
Thank this is so kind 😊 and I love the spaghetti at the wall analogy! 😂 that's definitely how it feels sometimes!
Just here to say I have no idea what I’m doing either. I don’t think you need to. Just keep writing, keep enjoying it and you’re doing enough ♥️
Thank you, I do enjoy it and I guess that's all that really matters 😊
Oh my gosh this is SO relatable, I could have written it myself. For the first time in awhile, I find myself with out a draft post or idea percolating in my brain, and starting to feel stressed about it and then I’m like WHY. I was explaining to a friend this weekend about Substack and the lovely community here but it also made me realize that I don’t know at all what I’m doing. As such, I have no words of wisdom or advice except to say you are very much not alone.
Thank you, I'm just going to keep going and see what happens 🤷♀️ also your writing is great – take a break if you need to but I'm sure you'll be brimming over with ideas again before you know it!
And another thing I’ve been pondering: just because we’re moms who write doesn’t mean we have to stick to ‘mumsy’ stuff. We were humans before our babies — pretty cool ones, too 🤣. We’re multidimensional, and I’d love to see all the other sides of the writing moms out here ❤️❤️❤️
💯 this!!
I resonate with your way of thinking, Vikki, and I’m battling similar thoughts myself. One piece of advice I once received and loved is this: you don’t need to ‘find a niche’ — you ARE the niche. I come here because I love seeing you — in the funny, the deep, the messy, and the polished. So if your heart wants to experiment and play in this season of life, so be it! I’m here, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with — all of it ❤️❤️☀️
Thank you so much 🥰 love reading your stuff too x
I totally get this and certainly struggle with the same thing. But reading your post, I realised that I don’t really want you to be sleeker or more refined or more pigeon-holed. I love your writing just the way it is. Free, untethered, random, inspiring and natural. I don’t think you should be trying to narrow yourself into some made up boxes, I think we all love you just the way you are. Poetry, fiction, a mum’s view and all. You write, we’ll read. It’s that simple ☺️
This is so lovely thank you ❤
I wish I could help you, but I have no idea what I'm doing either, so... At least we're in this together?
😅 together! 🤝
There was so much comfort and familiarity in this post! Thanks for sharing honestly — can’t a “niche” just be that, honesty?! 😅
Thank you! Maybe that's how I'll 'describe my Substack in 3 words' — honestly, who knows?! 😅
I totally get it - time to let ourselves out for good!
Oh Vikki, I felt every word of this — the uncertainty, the drafts that stare back, the too-much-and-never-enough ache. And I want you to know: you are not too much. You are honest. Funny. Thoughtful. Brave. And so very real.
I think your voice is your superpower. The way you write makes people feel like they’ve just been handed a warm drink and an invitation to sit down and stay awhile. I hope you never “streamline” that out of your work.
(Also? I would absolutely read all of those draft ideas — even the cat one. Especially the cat one. Ode to the drool and ode to the kitty haha)
Thank you for mentioning me here. I’m so incredibly honoured. And please remember — I’m cheering you on, always 🤍
Thank you. This really means a lot ❤ and the cat post is the most likely to get posted 😅
I have a strong voice and a clear mission because I'm 67 and have been at this writing game in one way or another for decades. Experience matters. It counts. No one is great at something straight up. Well, very rarely. You'll get there.
And I love how you write. It's real, honest, authentic. And I know they are words that are over used nowadays, but hey, credit where credit is due, right?
You are a real writer.
And if it helps, I'm struggling to feel okay about writing fiction, as if writing fiction is a waste of time and I shouldn't be doing it (but cleaning the bathroom instead). So I'm procrastinating by reading Substack posts, putting off the inevitable, because I am writer of fiction, I can do it, I will do it. It will happen.
And it will for you too.
Thank you and fiction is definitely worth it. I think it was Terry Pratchett who said stories are what makes us human ❤
I love how our indigenous culture in Australia have transmitted their culture through stories and song-lines for 50,000 plus years.
It's incredible when you think about it, isn't it?
I value the heart-felt & relatable delivery of all you do. The flippant pieces are just as important as the very serious ones. You have a clear voice, and blooming into the motherhood writing scene has attracted (and will continue to attract) your readers to whatever you put forth. We're all a mixed bag, and you are free to showcase whatever brings you joy in each moment. We're here for it!
Thank you so much, you always say such lovely things — glad to have you here with me!