One of the biggest myths about creative work is that you need to “pick the right niche” from day one. In reality, clarity comes through movement—not waiting.
Here are three real stories (shared with permission and anonymized) of independent creatives who discovered their unique voice:
1. The scattered designer
A graphic designer I knew was trying to brand herself as “good at everything.” Her portfolio included websites, logos, social posts, and even t-shirt designs. But because she was everywhere, clients didn’t know what she really stood for. After some deep reflection, she realized her true joy was in creating book covers. Once she committed, her work stood out—and she began booking consistent clients.
Lesson: Specificity creates opportunity.
2. The hesitant writer
A friend wanted to start a Substack but kept second-guessing his tone. “Do I need to be professional? Funny? Thought-provoking?” he asked. The breakthrough came when he started writing as he spoke—with dry humor and honesty. Within months, people began following him due to his authentic style.
Lesson: Your natural voice is your niche.
3. The overwhelmed musician
A musician had half-recorded tracks in three genres. He was afraid that choosing one meant abandoning the others. Finally, he committed to releasing an acoustic EP. Ironically, the focus gave him freedom—after releasing it, he had the momentum (and fanbase) to explore other genres later.
Lesson: Focus now doesn’t mean forever.
Each of these creatives stopped spinning when they embraced clarity, not perfection.
Which story feels most like yours?
As a songwriter I completely related to the musician’s struggle. I’ve got half-written songs in all kinds of genres. I like the idea of choosing one sound today without feeling boxed in tomorrow. This is good motivation to just finish one song and put it out there. You’ve done a great job of showing the humanity behind creative struggles. Thank you for the inspiring read Idris Elijah!!
I like how you weave these stories together so that you’re doing more than giving advice. You’re showing us lived experiences that we can all relate to in our own way. It makes it easier to believe that clarity really does come through action. I’m going to pick the path that excites me the most right now and commit to finishing one thing I’m working on each month. Thanks for the encouraging read Idris!