What's my niche?

Approaching Substack and other social media through a more holistic lens

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

---

The last six months has brought a lot of changes for me with how I spend my time on, and outside of, the internet.

---

Like many, I've been trying to find sustainable ways to create a healthier relationship with my phone for some time now. As a full-time at-home neurodivergent parent of two tiny humans, the internet can be both a necessary outlet and a life-sucking day-ruiner; I am forever on a quest to find the right balance.

After learning to knit in December (and discovering the joy of a new special interest¹ as a late-realized autistic) I dove headfirst into knitstagram² and quickly made a separate account to share my projects and patterns.

When May brought

Kaitlin Curtice

’s Poem-A-Day challenge, I realized I had really missed writing and, more than that, I realized that I actually had a lot to write about. I started spending a lot more time here on Substack, pivoting a bit with how I had initially planned to share a bit of my own writing, and looking to connect with more writers on a similar wavelength.

---

One of the questions that I've been asking myself as I've begun sharing my work more publicly - and which I've repeatedly seen from other writers - is: what's my niche?

---

I stumbled upon a thread just this past Sunday, right here on Substack, where countless people were discussing this same experience of trying to figure out how to present themselves and their work, trying to parse out how to categorize themselves and how much to share.

Particularly with my writing, I have been worried that the varying topics I want to write about might be “too much” for just one newsletter, and (if you've already joined this space before, or looked at my About section, you'll know) I've already added a separate section on my newsletter for a topic of narrower focus that I felt compelled to write about but which didn't really fit into the (admittedly, quite broad) general theme/feel of my regular newsletter.

You see, my brain really loves patterns and puzzles - rearranging thoughts and ideas, finding loose ends and weaving them all together - connecting thoughts like constellations.

---

So many things that are often thought of as separate feel irrevocably intertwined in my mind. This makes it especially difficult to put myself into just one box for others' consumption.

---

And - of course - more and more, I'm understanding that I shouldn't have to. A two-dimensional, watered-down facade is not what I want from others; so, logically, the people who my work is meant for won't want that from me either.

I think most of us have learned by now that nothing we do is meant for everyone. I have been disillusioned by years of life spent masking³ that left me burnt out and no less lonely, and I am no longer willing or able to do that.

In trying to be more intentional with my social media use - both my consumption and creation - I feel that I've been lucky, in that I've managed to find communities of people who value the intricacies of others' interests and daily lives.

In case you haven't found them for yourself: know that there are, in fact, entire communities who look at people as more than just another commodity, and who genuinely appreciate when we choose to show up fully.

I am seeking to connect with those types of communities, as well as to create my own, right here.

---

So I've decided I'm leaning into my wholeness; I am my own niche. And I trust that those who are meant to find me, will.

---

There is a distinct freedom in embracing multiple passions, letting go of the weight of others' expectations, and focusing solely on what I know is right for me, for the kind of work I want to share, and for the community I want to create.

I am grateful to every person who finds their way here and decides to stay - for however long - and I also happily release every person who knows that I am not for them. Because, ultimately, I know that I am for me.

I hope you'll join me.

---

On that note, if you feel genuinely compelled by my writing to subscribe, you can do that here:

and if you know someone who might like my work, or are generally inclined to share, please feel free!

I would also love for you to leave a comment sharing your niche - whether that's some things that make your content/creations special, or simply things that make you, you.

And, finally, if you value what I'm creating here and are able to do so, please consider pledging for a future subscription. While I am committed to keeping my work accessible, I also value my time and energy, and would deeply appreciate any additional support.

1. A special interest is an intense focus on a specific topic. This is a common autistic trait (if you're new here, I'm both autistic and ADHD, or AuDHD). It's possible to have more than one special interest; I have multiple, some of which overlap.

2. Knitting Instagram - y'all know there's a corner of the internet for everything.

3. A method of camouflage; performing or concealing certain behaviors in an effort to be perceived as neurotypical or “normal.” Particularly in late-realized neurodivergent people, this can often be subconscious.