My Top Stories
That Is My Most Read On Vocal
Introduction
These are just some observations on my most-read Vocal stories. They are MY Top Stories by not Vocal Top Stories.
It shows that you can get reads outside of the Vocal community. You can see, most of these have few Vocal Hearts and fewer comments.
The two highlighted were Vocal Top Stories.
The Observations
The third one on the list was a clickbait experiment that worked and for a long time was my most-read story, and I found it embarrassing, but a good example of what can be done with clickbait words and a huge slice of luck.
The follow-up experiment has three reads:
My top seven are stories that I have shared somewhere and get reads on most days of the week, a process I documented here:
I was over the moon when the Folk Songs piece hit number one because it meant the clickbait was off the top, bit this week i was even more over the moon when this hit number one:
As I say in the article, I was always a fan of the album cover art of Mountain, and found out a little about the art of Gail Collins Pappalardi. I am also pleased that another album cover art piece has moved up to number seven:
I know I love sharing things I find beautiful, wonderful and interesting with my Vocal friends and audience and these two stories I am proud of.
I also have these albums in my vinyl and CD collections as well.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading, and hope you manage to drop into one of my top seven stories to see what the fuss is about.
I seldom delete my Vocal stories because I think they are good to have as a reminder that we did something that taught us a lesson.
I would also love to hear about your Top Tens, too.
The music is the beautiful "Them From An Imaginary Western" by Mountain featuring the art of Gail Collins Pappalardi.
About the Creator
Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred
A Weaver of Tales and Poetry
Join & Share In VSS
Creationati
Call Me Les ♥ Gina ♥ Heather ♥ Caroline ♥
Keep reading
More stories from Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred and writers in Writers and other communities.
The Comeback Generation: Why Starting Over After 30, 40, or 50 Is Becoming the New Path to Success
For decades, society told a simple story about success: figure out your life early, build your career fast, and lock in your future before you get “too old.” The message was subtle but powerful — if you didn’t make it in your twenties, you were somehow behind. Today, that story is breaking apart. Across the world, people in their thirties, forties, and fifties are walking away from careers, routines, and identities that no longer fit. They are starting businesses, learning new skills, moving to new cities, and chasing dreams they once believed were no longer allowed. This shift is being driven by more than just dissatisfaction. It’s being driven by clarity. With age often comes a deeper understanding of what truly matters. Many people spend their younger years chasing external approval — money, titles, or social status. But after years of experience, they begin to ask different questions. Do I enjoy my daily life? Does my work reflect my values? Am I proud of how I spend my time? For some, the answers lead to a powerful realization: staying the same feels riskier than starting over. Technology has made this kind of reinvention more possible than ever. Online courses allow people to learn new careers from their living rooms. Remote work opens doors to opportunities that were once limited by geography. Social platforms give individuals the ability to build personal brands, launch creative projects, or start businesses without massive upfront costs. What once required permission from companies, investors, or institutions can now begin with a laptop and an internet connection. But the comeback generation isn’t just about opportunity. It’s about mindset. One of the biggest barriers to starting over is fear — fear of failure, judgment, and wasted time. Many people worry that changing direction means admitting they made a mistake. But a growing number of voices are reframing that idea. They see their past not as a failure, but as training. Every job, relationship, and challenge becomes part of a skillset. Communication, resilience, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence don’t disappear when someone switches careers or goals. They carry forward, often making older beginners stronger than younger ones. There is also a quiet confidence that comes with experience. Younger people often feel pressure to prove themselves. Older beginners tend to care less about appearances and more about meaning. This shift in focus can lead to deeper commitment and greater satisfaction. Of course, starting over is not easy. It can involve financial uncertainty, uncomfortable learning curves, and moments of self-doubt. Watching younger people succeed in the same space can trigger insecurity. The question “Am I too late?” can echo loudly in the mind. But many in the comeback generation are discovering a powerful truth: there is no universal timeline for a meaningful life. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders didn’t find their true path until later years. What they often share is not youthful speed, but persistence. They kept moving forward, even when progress was slow and the outcome uncertain. There is also a cultural shift happening. Communities are becoming more supportive of non-linear life paths. Changing careers, taking breaks, and exploring new identities are becoming more accepted. The idea of having “one job for life” is being replaced by the idea of having many chapters. In this new story, life is not a straight road — it’s a landscape. Sometimes you climb. Sometimes you wander. Sometimes you stop and choose a completely new direction. And that choice, made at any age, can be an act of courage. The comeback generation isn’t trying to turn back time. They are using it — using what they’ve learned, what they’ve survived, and what they now understand about themselves. Because success is no longer being defined by how early you start. It’s being defined by how boldly you choose to continue.
By Hazrat Usman Usmana day ago in Writers
Comments (7)
I'd be honored if my TS received half those reads. These are all excellent stories. Great article, as always, Mike
Wow! You have so many reads that's awesome! I was very surprised yesterday to find my latest story that only has a couple of comments and hearts got 80 reads in one day, so I'm trying to work out what I did right lol. I haven't even shared it on Social Media yet.
All of them with more reads than all but my most read story, lol. Nicely done, Mike.
Your number of reads is absolutely amazing and impressive. You work hard thought and totally deserve the success. Good on you Mike!
Your stories always give readers something. You are among all your other talents a true writer/author. Good job.
Nice
You got me good. I thought they were gonna be Vocal Top Stories, not the top stories from your stats hehehe. May you always get more reads