Can I Buy a Niche at Target?

I feel my cheeks flush, a momentary flash of pleasure bubbling to the surface before I force it to retreat.

“Thank you, but…”

“…it’s the jeans.  They hide a lot!”

“…I really need to work on the dialogue.  I don’t think it sounds believable.”

“…there are so many more talented writers out there.”

Graciously accepting compliments is tough.  I shrug them off, finding it easy to rationalize the words into kindness or obligation instead of actual admiration.

So when I saw the Summer Blog Social prompts about “advice for me,” encouraging us to speak to our strengths and also areas we would like to improve, my mind skated over the strengths facet of the post and went to the weaknesses in my blog.

As I ventured out of my blogging bubble, I worried I would lose steam and run out of ideas.  Instead, I have a little notebook filled with jotted notes and post ideas, and I’m beginning to worry about those notes. 

Abs singing the wrong words

More random run thoughts – leis, Proud Mary, small towns

Preschool beginning next month

(pause for emotional moment)

Each of my notes is a little seed, a seed I fertilize during runs and while driving in the car, a seed that takes shape and grows into a post.  And that, I think, is one of my strengths.  I can manage to find a foothold in an idea and climb it like a beanstalk into something substantial.

But are my seeds too different, too haphazard? 

Where is my focus?  My direction?  My niche?

These questions creep into my thoughts as I try to find a cool spot on the pillow at night.  They sting my eyes as I rinse shampoo out of my hair. 

I love watching my little seeds grow into posts, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s possible to plant heartstring-tugging toddler posts next to irreverent running posts across the garden from serial fiction and possibly even venturing into the cultivation of a vlog or two. 

I’m not a gardener.  I don’t know if it’s reasonable to plant strawberries and cucumbers and tulips and peonies and hydrangea in one garden without it turning into a giant mess of weeds.

So Summer Blog Social readers, are any of you expert gardeners?  Can you help me understand how to define and refine my blogging niche without sacrificing my little seedlings tucked away in my notebook, waiting to feel the sun?

he's confused, too