Can I just start by saying: The standard has been set. And it is Blissdom. I don’t want to freak all the other conferences out or anything, but I just can’t imagine topping this. Partly because, Harry Connick. HOLLA!! But I gotta tell y’all (I can say that after being in Nashville for 3 days), even if he had stayed home Blissdom still would have rocked my bloggy world.
Robin from Pensieve (one of my absolute favorite bloggy peeps) tweeted before the conference started that Blissdom might be 30% learning, 30% networking and 30% girls weekend away. To tell someone you went to a blogging conference….snooze. Well maybe not snooze, but I don’t think SEO, Monetization, Paid Media translates well to the masses. Actually I barely understand it.
So instead lets talk inspiration, creativity, authenticity, passion. That was my take away. The other stuff is great, but when I start to focus on it my blog loses its way. So I am recommitted to writing. Cause content does matter. And when I focus on the numbers and the comments and the SEO and the blah blah blah I can’t focus on the content. And I didn’t start this blog to become a famous blogger or make lots of money or get a book deal (although if anyone wants to crown me queen of blogging, send me buckets of cash or offer me a book….about…..diapers? I wouldn’t hate ya). I wrote a blog to have an outlet.
Stay at home mommy-hood can be really lonely. And in our quest to prove ourselves to be super mom to those around us a lot of times we aren’t transparent. Well here in blog-dom I am me. I am pretty much me in the real world (as those of you who met me this weekend can attest to), but I like to put my best mom face forward. I mean who wouldn’t? But I heard a quote this weekend that resonated to my core. Amber from The Run Amuk said (this is a major paraphrase not a direct quote): “My blog is a great way to met me, and I’ve found it’s a great way for me to meet me.”
See that is the unexpected joy of this blog. I have discovered me. And at Blissdom, I discovered 500 other women who have discovered themselves in their blog. So they get it. And they get me. Even if we don’t all get SEO and Monetization and blah, blah, blah, we all get the power of blogging. The power of our voices and our words and our community. And the 30% that is the girl’s weekend away? That is the very best part. That’s the part where the line between “internet” friends and real life friends get so blurry it really ceases to exist.
Is it Blissdom 2011 yet?
Jana
says:
I’m now officially jealous I didn’t go! I didn’t hear about it until the other day, though. 2011 perhaps!
[Reply]
February 8th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
rachel
says:
love. seriously just love this.
You nailed it.
rachel´s last blog ..Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Basil, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt
[Reply]
February 8th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
melissa @ the inspired room
says:
I totally get this. Really.
This is a GREAT post!
[Reply]
February 8th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
La Jolla Mom
says:
Sounds fabulous. Am so sorry to have missed it. Busy time of the year for me. Headed to BlogHer though.
[Reply]
February 8th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Katy
says:
I feel the exact same way and Blissdom just cemented that for me.
Katy´s last blog ..Blissdom ‘10
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Marcy
says:
It was great to see you this weekend! Your little guy is so handsome.
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Erin G
says:
I’m so glad you came away inspired. What interesting classes and such did you take?
Also… “y’all” = you are now complete as a southerner by proxy. We welcome you.
Erin G´s last blog ..Two Fluffy Bums
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect
Twitter: givingupperfect
says:
Loved meeting you in person. Can’t wait to hang out again. (Because, seriously, is it time for Blissdom 2011 yet??)
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last blog ..It had to be . . . Harry.
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Mandi @ It's come to this
says:
Loved that recap & LOVED finally meeting you in person. Blissdom ‘11 is too far away, MUST meet sooner!
Mandi @ It’s come to this´s last blog ..New home
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Melissa Multitasking Mama
Twitter: multitaskingme
says:
You and I were definitely at the same conference…you wrote down just how I feel too! And you are adorable and can sing…love it!
Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Organized Grocery Shopping
[Reply]
Diaper Diaries
Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
thank you. I love me some karaoke
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Robin ~ PENSIEVE
says:
YOU were (are) one of my favorite things about Blissdom. It is SO about being with “our people”…and I like the atmosphere of the conference–very encouraging.
I guess when I talked about “girls’ getaway” it goes hand in hand w/”inspiration, creativity, authenticity, passion”–that’s what being with women I love, regard, understand do for me without even TRYING to accomplish that!
Love your thoughts here…and I’ll see you next year if not before
xo.
Robin ~ PENSIEVE´s last blog ..On honor and in-laws: a different kind of love story
[Reply]
Diaper Diaries
Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
hopefully before
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Shab
says:
Well said. And I can’t wait until next year!!
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Jenny from Mommin' It Up
says:
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Content is Queen. Love you! xoxo
Jenny from Mommin’ It Up´s last blog ..Giving Pride the Finger
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
amy2boys
says:
It was so greast to meet you, and this post is perfect. Just perfect.
amy2boys´s last blog ..Weekly Winners – Blissdom ‘10
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
LaVonne
Twitter: lavonnelong
says:
It does sound like fun! I am glad you got to go. I feel the same about my blogging. It truly is an outlet, a way for mommyhood loneliness to be easier. And I LOVE reading other people’s blog.
LaVonne´s last blog ..Frugal Friday: Public Library
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Jolon
says:
Yes Ma’am, you summed it right up! It was a fantastic weekend! (Still recovering…)
Jolon´s last blog ..Meijer Deals 2/7 – 2/13
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Tired Mom Tesa
says:
Sounds like it was an incredible conference. It’s definitely on my list for next year! I’m new to your blog and am glad I did. I really needed a motivational blogging post today. Thanks!
Tired Mom Tesa´s last blog ..JumpStart Review and Membership Giveaway
[Reply]
Diaper Diaries
Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
This is a MUST do for next year. Make it happen
[Reply]
February 9th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Shannon
says:
It was so great to meet you as well. So glad you could come to breakfast. And love this post BTW.
[Reply]
February 10th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Hillary @ The Other Mama
says:
Loved every second of hanging out with you! Just. Needed. More. Time!!
Hillary @ The Other Mama´s last blog ..Attack of the Killer Robots: A Love Story
[Reply]
February 11th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Tamm @ GreekGRITS
says:
LOVED this, loved Blissdom, and loved meeting you! Bring on 2011.
Tamm @ GreekGRITS´s last blog ..Be back soon
[Reply]
February 16th, 2010 at 1:30 pm