This blog never had a niche. I have maintained to say that this blog has happiness and food for thought. Happiness through my eyes and food for thought for your consumption. Being the learner I am, these are two things that I value the most in life. Looking into life through the lens of newness and accepting what comes my way. Finding beauty in the mundane and changing the thought of mundane to special.
I am passionate about equality for women. My writing reflects that. I have shared stories of women, highlighted the differences and spoke of feminism. I continue to do that. It’s not about male bashing but encouraging women to speak for themselves. Having a voice and doing what they believe in. Asking for help and not feeling guilty. Sharing with their partners that they need support to propel their careers and telling their parents that marriage or kids can wait.
Slowly with our love for travel, I transitioned into sharing many picture posts and travel stories. I write about my experiences of being on the road. A budget travel that is focused on spending time to live every day in a new place. No frills and stars attached other than the ones in the sky.
On some Wednesdays, I share a picture or two and on alternate Thursdays, you all know of my love for trees.
There are monthly Gratitude lists and there are also yearly round-up posts. Not to forget, there are microblogs and lessons from life that I love to share. Remember food for thought?
After sharing many personal stories on this blog, I have realized that my readers love those. However, it’s hard to share so many details of my life. My life is an open blog, but not as much.
Writing has been helping me articulate and blogging on this space has got me a lot of love from you readers. I love writing and that is why this blog is now 5 years and 723 posts old. (!) I know what you are thinking. Even I am surprised.
When you enjoy something, it just happens. I don’t make money by writing but I think I make you smile and think. That part matters to me. I love when out of no where, I get a personal text message or a hallway high-five. Then is when you make me smile.
When life has so much to offer, how can I find a niche? How will I ever leave happiness or food for thought? And why should I?
Are you still thinking what this post is about?
Flex your brain muscles and read between lines.
Fuel what you enjoy doing with your time and hard work. Pick up something that makes you happy. Make that one thing a part of your life. Don’t fret about it. Just observe what makes you smile and hang on to it. If you already have something that makes you smile, keep at it. Talk about it and involve others in to your story.
Don’t run after the niche. Live what you get and love it with all your heart.
Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.
– Wayne Dyer
Writing today for Monday Musings.
happiness and food 
Wow ! you made me smile dear, its you simplicity in your writings that makes me visit your blog:) you make posts not only interesting but you encourage the reader to think and find joy in small little happenings- and that what I love when you talk about travel, ” No frills and stars attached”:) love the way you have expressed. Your tree love is something that got me to make deliberate attempts to post. I have enjoyed reading the women stories – and working with women, I understand how important it is to speak up and find their truest expression of themselves… I am still learning parul.. yes doing what you love brings is so much happiness… thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Angela for your kind words. I’m glad we are together on this journey. It’s fun and sure learning together.
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I love the way a blog evolves. And since you don’t have a niche, each post is a surprise! This gives you flexibility to write interesting stuff
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Yes, totally agree. Thanks Sunita!
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I too does not have a specific niche Parul but yes after 2+ years, I feel I love doing it and why not to take it as my profession. 723 posts…that’s a great achievement. I always love reading your posts and cherish the positivism they spread. Keep writing.
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Thank you Upasna! I’ve stayed at 3 posts per week and for the last 5 years, it has worked.
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I always look forward to read your Blogs . May be the topic is niche or itch . I know you can write on all . Thats the beauty of your Blog . Ms Parul .
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Ha ha! Thank you Bakshi ji 🙂
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I too love your personal stories. Love your travel tales and road trips. And it’s all these little pieces of you that makes this blog so special. I too don’t have a niche and at times I question myself a lot about it. But then I love the freedom it gives me to write just about anything 😊
Keep writing and sharing your stories. You have a reader in me 😀
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Thank you, Raji for encouraging! Yes, that’s the plan.
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Agree it’s pointless to run after a niche and the passion is what sets us apart. Writing is and will always be a passion and such simplicity always makes one’s writing standout!
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True that! Thanks Vishal!
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Parul, you say you blog without a niche, well I say to niche in making everyone smile 🙂
Your writing style has won many hearts and shall continue to more in future too.
Cheers
MeenalSonal from AuraOfThoughts
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How sweet if you to say that Meenal. Thank you tons.
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this is one of the reasons that I am your reader, I am no fan of niches, I find them limiting, though I mostly write poetry I also experiment a lot with subject matter. Keep it up.
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Thanks Pooja! Makes my heart warm ❤️
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I so agree with you, Parul! My blog has also meandered and evolved based on my interests. When we traveled a lot, I had a lot of travel posts; there was a phase when I was reading voraciously, and that’s what got reflected in my writing. Now, art, tarot and contemplation are where my focus lies, and so my blog reflects that. Through the years, it’s been a reflection of my journey, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
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I totally agree. We should do what makes us happy. I pulled a friend into blogging, and she just didn’t get that feel. Couldn’t agree more with your write up – keep writing 🙂
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I get what you are saying. Been there, am there..
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I know. Thanks for stopping by!
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It’s nice to see you’ve innovated a niche of your own through the blog. Write ups that provoke thought process are the best. And yours does the job. Kudos!
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Some blogs do well when they stick to their niche, others thrive due to the sheer variety of content, so clearly there is no cookie cutter approach that fits everyone in this case.
The thing I love the most about your posts is that it is very reflective of your personality and straight from the heart. 🙂
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Agree with you Parul. My blog also doesn’t have any niche but I love sharing my thoughts on books, travel and parenting. So, I continue. I love your travelogues as they will have a personal touch. Keep going.
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I love your blog for its originality. It has honesty and that makes it so attractive. There is no point in running after what others are doing. One should write for the fun of writing. I feel my blog should be a reflection of me and it should have everything that I love. Keep on writing and inspiring us Parul. BTW I missed taking part in the last 2 Thursday Tree Love and I felt sad. I love to linkup with you on TTT.
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I so agree, Parul! Doing what you love is the one thing that can fill our life with happiness. For, happiness lies in those little things – like our blogs and our writing. Those are the things that really matter!
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True. Thank you Shilpa!
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Parul, Not having is a niche is fine. Blogs came up as a way to express and air. It was later that they turned into a commercial stuff and that’s when the concept of niche came up. As long as you are happy with what you, it’s all good and fine.
I find it difficult to comment as the WP app doesn’t allow me to post a comment on your blog. It’s a same case with many other self-hosted blogs. So unless I open it on browser, it’s just not possible.
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I understand that Arvind. It’s something that I haven’t been able to find a fix for. 😦
I’m glad you found time to navigate and comment though. Thank you!
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I love you blog, Parul, always have, always will! It’s all that you said that attracts me to your blog. It is authentic and honest. And the fact that there are no hidden agendas is an added bonus. I can so relate to not having a niche. Mine doesn’t either. Though I started off thinking that parenting is my niche, I see writing on various topics mostly sharing my rants and rambles. Now Void Thoughts is a different matter, I don’t share non-fiction there. I am so glad that I connected with you, Parul. You are an amazing person and an awesome blogger. 🙂 ❤
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You have a wonderful blog, Parul, and I admire your consistency in offering enjoyable reads. I think it is fine not to get caught up with adopting a niche and more fun to be able to write about whatever moves us.
Congratulations on being five years old. Your blog is now ready for school! Hugs! Continue to be awesome!
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Congratualtions on 5 years and 723 posts- thats indeed a big milestone Parul.
Your posts are always so reflective and inspiring- food for thought as you put it 🙂 I have also loved your travel tales and pics. You bring so much of yourself into the post, that reading them makes one feel close to you – almost like having a conversation! I have learnt a lot from your writing and agree on not chasing a niche. I also blog because I love to write. Whatever little attempts I have made at commercial writing have ended up as damp squibs and just not worth it!
Here’s to many more happy posts for the readers to munch on 🙂
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Thanks Shalini! So kind of you to say that. Truly encouraging. 🙂
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Congrats, Parul! 5 years!!! Amazing!
And I’m glad you choose to remain nicheless in your blogging! I love all-over-the-place kind of blogs! They speak of diverse interests, curious minds and passionate souls. As BellyBytes says – “each post is a surprise” on such blogs!
Oh and personal stories are my favourite kind of posts.
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I wonder why you chose sunglasses instead of plain reading glasses!! As I deduce it, you are seeing through shades and then you capture!! And because it is through shades, at least the stark sun never hits your eye. Your blogs are mostly what is good all around us, what is happy & what is pleasant. Like your blog’s name – happiness & food. You are faithful to your blog title. But I would suggest, if you have covered so many years & have a fan following who in turn have their own fan following imagine what all you can do if you come on serious issues. So many people around us can get educated in such aspects that are still neglected and which on they have never thought about at all.. Of course you write about women equality. But these days everyone is fighting for women equality or child labor these days. I’m not saying it’s a smaller issue but I would definitely say these are “easy to join the fight for” issues; With so many organizations and individuals working for it.
Why don’t I see any of your blog on bullshit political scenario of India, on gauraksha, unemployment without any reason, inflation without a cause, abduction of kids, Huge pile of pending law cases in courts, the Dalits and tribals anguish, farmer’s suicides, potential gold medalist sportsperson not even getting a chance because of corruption.. Of course you can say you write without a niche!! But it disappoints me that these aspects are hardly anybody’s niche. Bangalore is one of the 14 cities covered under 20 most polluted cities of the world. Almost every lake & river is contaminated. Who is writing about it? If you know anyone, let me know so I can also be a part of their struggle. And if there’s none why don’t you take the torch and lead?
Anyways, I know you can argue – “then, why don’t you initiate” – well I ask bloggers and writers because they have what I don’t have –writing ability, research oriented mind and most importantly – readers.
Please do think about it. You can begin to make a change. People never thought women can fly a plane until Amelia Earhart fought her way inside the cockpit.
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