BlogHer- Part Three- Why I Went To BlogHer
I am still recovering from BlogHer08. There are so many stories to
share. So many giggle giggles* to document. But I won't detail all of
them. I have decided to highlight my trip as best as possible. And
let me tell you..trying to pull together all my thoughts of BlogHer08
has proved to be challenging.
Lets go:
Overwhelming: The first night I was there I was paralyzed by my social
anxiety. So much so that I disappeared into a corner and was texting
home that it was too overwhelming. There were A LOT of people. I was
lucky to have a friend to hold my hand and tell me to breathe, slowly.
As soon as the crowd thinned out I felt comfortable going up to
bloggers I had not met or tapping ones on the shoulders that I read to
say hello for the first time.
Self-Validation: Sitting in on the panels that discussed blogging help
me come to some sort of direction. Allowing me to become settled with
my feelings of wanting my blog to evolve but questioning how much I
want to reveal. It was comforting to know that almost every blogger I
had the opportunity to have intimate conversation with felt they were
also having the same anxiety. As a blogger I let all of you in a very
tiny pinhole of my life. A daily recap of memories, or feelings and
stories; but 98% of my life is still not shared because life is to big
to squeeze through a pinhole.
Perception: This is one area I am still struggling with on how to
handle. This is my blog. My space. But my ego is still concerned on
how my posts will be received. Judgement is easily concluded when
you are sharing your pinhole of a life in a blog. So my struggle of
where to go and how to direct my stories intimidate me sometimes
because I know me and I know how my history has shaped me. But being a
people pleaser that I am, I censor myself because I am nervous of how
it will be received. And what I took from this conference was that
there are so many women who have the courage to blog for themselves and
nobody else. It was inspiring to see that kind of courage.
Community: Blogging is making a difference. It is giving women and men
a platform to share and create a dialogue between the blogger and their
audience. It has given Moms and Dads dealing with parenting struggles
a place to find an outlet/support. The blogging community support is
real. I saw it first hand. I watched my roomie, Mr. Lady, up on a stage
packed with over 1,000 bloggers. She read this post with so much
emotion that her voice shook, ad-libbing when needed, body language
expressing just how proud but uncomfortable she was up on stage sharing
such a personal post with strangers she has never even met. Then
imagine the roar of the crowd as they ALL stood to their feet and gave
Mr. Lady a standing ovation. Every single blogger had tears in their
eyes, standing and cheering. Then I watched these same bloggers come up
to her and hug her to let her know how her post affected them
personally.
Yes, I have heard about the trolls (and thankfully I have yet to
encounter any- whew). But for the most part the blogging community is
filled with extremely supportive understanding people. This same
blogging community is why I decided to fly half way across the country;
to experience meeting the bloggers that I called friends prior to ever
meeting them face to face.
Joy: The pictures from BlogHer Part 2 show smiles. Tons of smiles.
They are true genuine smiles. I did not get a chance to take a picture
of all the amazing bloggers I had the chance to meet. But I know I
would extend my house to anyone of them to come stay for a visit if
they ever phoned saying they are coming to Long Island.
It was hard to say goodbye to every single one of the bloggers I had
the opportunity to spend time with at BlogHer08. I sat on the plane
ride home reflecting on them and how easily it was to open up and talk
to each of them. I never felt awkward. A dork maybe, but never
awkward. I will never forget this experience. It was not about the
clinking of the cocktails, or the late night dancing. For me it was
about confirming that the relationships we are building with one
another online, through comments, emails, twitter, plurk or Cre8Buzz
are real. They are not just friends in your head.
And lastly, BlogHer08 helped me define my blogging addiction. It
helped me gain clarity of how to use this space. Regardless if I use it
to post pictures, silly stories of my kids or sharing stories from my
past of how I became me. This is my blog.
And again, thank you all for chose to visit me daily, or weekly, or monthly. It means so much to me.
Hugs to all of you who have helped create this addiction!! :) And I
have already started to save for next years BlogHer. I would not miss
it for the world!
*totally lifted this from my roomie.
Kim
33 Comments
Reader Comments (33)
I am really glad that it's helped you point in a direction, and I am even more glad that I got to do it with you. Like, more glad than you'll ever know. ((hugs))
It was AWESOME. I agree with every single word in this post. I have been thinking about so many things and you wrote them all down perfectly.
Miss you.
:)
Hooray, I'm "one"!
But seriously, I agree with all of your observations (especially the admirable, astounding bravery shown by Mr. Lady).
You're such an amazing woman, by the end of the conference, I felt like I've known you for decades.
Oh, and by the way, I would love to someday take you up on that Long Island offer!
From now on, all must call me "The" BusyDad because your hyperlink defines you. Um, I'll be at your house in about 6 weeks. Can you make sure the spare bedroom is set up? Yeah, thanks.
Kim, it was AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING meeting you. You are just as dorky as I imagined. And to me, that is a good thing. It was so fun being a total dorkwad with you. (oh, you want me to stop now... ok).
I'm glad you went, and enjoyed yourself! The pics are great.
It sounds incredible. I so wish I could go sometime...although I probably would deal with the "overwhelmed" feeling for pretty much most of the conference!
I loved you and felt so honored to meet you babe. It was all of those things for me too. It was a delight to see yr gorgeous face. I mean hello model girl! I hope to see you again SOONER than next blogher gal. xoxoxox
Kimmy, I am so glad you had a wonderful time and were able to meet so many great bloggers. I can only wait until next year when I get to meet you and them as well.
I am so glad you had a great time and are finding your way into what you want to do/share with your blog. It can be a scary sometimes and there are some mean people out there, but it can also be a beautiful place to find some much needed support too. Do what you're most comfortable with and the rest will come with time.
Have a great day!
~K
I want to go next year!!!
Guarandamnteed I'll be there rooming with you next year.
*stomping feet* I wanted to go!!! Oh well, saving for next year! Thanks for the thoughts, I'm so glad you got so much out of it!!!
HI HI HI HI HI!
I can't wait to meet you next year. I might be so excited that I dry hump you. haha.
I LURVE you...I MISS you... I want to freak dance to hip-hop with you all night long over and over and over again.
Next time I hit NY, I'll call ya. :D
Thanks for sharing all your thoughts on it with us! And I can only imagine how easy it is to talk to these people when you finally get to meet them! Can't wait for that opportunity!
You summed things up beautifully Kim - it was amazing meeting you!
What a great summary of such a positive weekend. Glad to hear it touched other people the way it did me. Looking forward to reading more of your blog. Smiles!
I'm seriously impressed you went! And I so understand about the communities you can build online. I met my husband through an online forum for goodness sake! I have to tell you, Kim, if there was really a chance you'd go next year - I might seriously make the effort to go. I'd love to hear that awesome accent of yours in person!
Blogher sounds so amazing!
Glad you had such a great time. I seriously might think of going next year. If you get much out of it! :)
You know, at first I didn't want to go to BlogHer. I thought, who in the hell would I hang out with, talk with, etc? I thought I'd be miserable. Then, I found out that people like you and Mr. Lady and OHmommy, etc were going and I thought, "Oh, I'd so love to meet those people! We'd have such fun!"
When I couldn't go, I was disappointed, because I thought I'd be missing out on such a great social event. But, I thought, not the end of the world, I'll get over it.
Now, though, after reading this post and some of the others written by people who attended, I realize that I missed most what I didn't even know I would get out of the conference. It's not just a social event, it's a serious meeting of the blogging minds. It's about finding your place, creating goals, learning how to express yourself, and so much more... It's a must-do for someone like me, for whom blogging has become such an important part of her life.
I'm soooooo not missing next year.
Thank you for everything.
Mr. Lady's not so better half.
P.S. I owe you.
Kimmy, this post added fuel to my fire. You captured so much with your words... and made me feel better about my blogging, helped me understand why I am compelled to do this with such fervor.
It is about connecting, the community.
I cannot WAIT to meet you at BlogHer '09. CANNOT!
Wow, it sounds awesome. I relate so much to what you've said here about the "pinhole," wanting to escalate blogging but being afraid to, the potential judgment - all of it. Very well said.
I really, really hope I get to attend a future BlogHer. It sounds (and looks - yes you are all hotties) like an amazing experience.
Awesome. I didn't get to go, but I know you captured the essence of blogging so well in this post. Many of your thoughts echo my own. I'm stashing funds away for next year too. Looking forward to meeting you then :)
Thank you so much for seeking me out. I did the shittiest job of connecting with people this year, and I'm terribly sorry for it. I remember you, tho!, if even for only the briefest of interludes. You're too lovely to forget.
That was a great, personal recap. Just makes us that weren't there more envious!
Sounds like an amazing event! I love that you are finding confidence in your voice - That is definitely why I love reading your blog - I love the authenticity and think that if we are going to take the time to do this blog thing, then it is so valuable to let ourselves (our true selves) shine! And THAT, you do.
I am bummed I did not the chance to meet you in person!
and yes, I agree Mr. Lady's reading of her post was AMAZING!!!
Wow blogher sounded like a great and rewarding event. I'm glad you had such a terrific experience.