Just a few short days ago I was surrounded by nearly 500 women who get me. Women who know what social media is and aren't afraid to use it. Women who blog, and who see their blog as their baby.
I was at Blissdom, a blogging conference for women, and I was at home.
It was my second time at Blissdom, and my third blog conference in all. Now that I have a few of these things under my belt, I'm noticing a consistent progression of feelings that come along with subjecting oneself to a blog conference.
The first feeling is panic. It didn't matter that this was my third time around, or that I'd been looking forward to this since the last Blissdom was over. Once I walked in the doors of Opryland, the panic set in. It's equal parts "I so don't belong here" and "Everyone will finally discover me for the true social reject that I am." I fight every urge to run into my hotel room and spend the rest of the conference there in my pj's, raiding the mini-bar.
The second feeling is relief. I always manage to stumble upon that one person in the room who seems as lost as me. Then they turn out to be wonderful and charming and beyond kind and I wonder where they've been all my life. Last year it was Amy from Outdoor Dogs. This year it was Rebecca from Country Fried Mama. Suddenly I can relax and soak up everything the conference has to offer.
The third feeling is euphoria. Before I know it, I'm immersed in workshops and panels with people who know things and are willing to share. I don't have to google them, or look for a Missing Manual, or wonder aloud to myself. These people are here in real life and speaking a language I understand. And it feels good.
The fourth feeling is overwhelmed. The knowledge pours over me and the next thing I know I'm drowning. I'm drowning in confusion and self-doubt. Everyone seems so assured of themselves and their blog. They know their passions and purpose, and oh God I hate the word so much, but they know their niche. I'm floundering, not knowing which direction to go, what the purpose of my blog is, and why on earth anyone would ever want to read it.
It takes a few days for the last feeling to dissipate, but it always does. I come home and I take a break from blogs, and blogging, and slowly it comes back. My passion for this blog, for my words, for my pictures, for my readers. My purpose slowly becomes clear again and I formulate ways to make this space better – more me, which hopefully translates into a more authentic experience for you.
As I was sitting in one of the panels, this quote from Howard Thurman was shared:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ”
That's the final feeling: alive. New friendships, new ideas, new sights for my lens to find, new words for my fingers to convey: all ready to come alive. To all my Blissdom friends, and to all my readers, thank you for giving me the space to come alive. I hope a little bit of what you get here makes you come alive too.
I loved that quote, too.
I’m so glad that we met! Thanks for not rolling your eyes at my goofiness (well, too much)
🙂
It was so nice to meet you. And this post is awesome. I like real and authentic!
Hugs!
You should be on the marketing team for Blissdom! You’re so making me want to go next year! Your post reminded me of this quote from Michael Nolan: “There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart…pursue those.”
I think you were the very first person I met at Blissdom, and I was SO RELIEVED to have found you. I was mighty nervous about this event, and meeting up with a few kindred spirits made the whole thing far less intimidating, so thank you! I hope to see you again soon at a conference down the road.
I agree with Jenn, you make me want to go to Blissdom next year! Having only experienced 1 blogging conference thus far, I entirely relate to each feeling you highlighted. I must get myself to another one just to experience the rush, hopefully this year’s BlogHer.
So glad you had such an awesome time at the conference. And so glad you’ve re-grounded. I don’t care what label or niche you place on this blog, I simply love coming here.
It was so fun meeting you and having breakfast that first day together! Your words are powerful and bringing back a lot of awesome memories. I look forward to keeping in touch!
Amy
Those four words do pretty much sum it up!
I’d love to hear more about what you learned… I keep thinking I’ might like to attend on eof these blog conferences but I just haven’t figured out if it would really be worthwhile for me, you know?
You were nervous?? Well, you hid it well!! Loved meeting you and having lunch.
I love that quote! And your summary of the “phases of Blissdom” it’s so true!
I felt ALL of those feelings too!!! Only my second conference. But I’ll be at BlogHer this summer, hope you’ll be there too!
Thanks so much for sharing that quote. I think its my new favorite! You must come along next year – I have a feeling youll be a blogging superstar by that time!
Angie
Just Like The Number
Project 3(six)5: A Year in Photos
Twitter: katydid6
Emma, you just made my day! Such kind words. Im pretty sure Ill be missing out on BlogHer this year, but I hope you make it to next years Blissdom!
Angie
Just Like The Number
Project 3(six)5: A Year in Photos
Twitter: katydid6
It was great meeting you, too! So nice to find a friendly face first thing in the morning on the very first day. I look forward to keeping in touch as well!
Angie
Just Like The Number
Project 3(six)5: A Year in Photos
Twitter: katydid6
If youd like to get a glimpse of the kind of topics covered, my roomie Heather did some live blogging from the conference. You can find her posts over at Just Heather. If youd like to try something a little closer to home, I think there will be another BlogIndiana here in Indy this summer. Just a warning, though: these conference can be addictive!
Angie
Just Like The Number
Project 3(six)5: A Year in Photos
Twitter: katydid6
Inspiring Ang! 🙂
Hope to be there with you next year!
that was really beautiful 🙂
Thanks, Alli. Its all because of you and Barbara. You opened up a whole new world to me, and I cant imagine my life without this blog and all of the wonderful people Ive connected with because of it. Much love to you both.
Angie