Clarity Through Chaos and Some Fun Times: My BlogHer Recap

This past weekend, I traveled to New York for a blogging conference.  Maybe you’ve heard about it; it’s called BlogHer.  Plenty of people heard about it because there seemed to millions of women there.  And by millions, it was probably closer to 5,000.  It felt like millions because the sessions were filling up. 

On Friday, there was a very long line to eat lunch, and I was faced with a choice: do I place a premium on seating to hear The Great Martha Stewart speak or do I place the priority on food?  I, in an unprecedented moment, decided to power through the crankiness of low blood sugar and placed the priority on hearing Martha talk about her life (which included her talking about how she tweets and cleans chicken coops and her new show).  This, in turn, resulted in waiting forever to get a turkey sandwich along with a bad attitude.  Others were not so lucky.  They placed the priority on food and had to sit *on the floor* outside the hall where Martha was talking.

Needless to say the vibe was frantic and kind of set the tone for the rest of the day.

I went to some great sessions about turning posts into publishable essays, SEO, Google Analytics, pricing your services, and using social media.  I learned a lot.

But it was outside of the sessions in which I gained clarity about my goals. 

I went to the Voices of the Year ceremony and was completely blown away by the talent on that stage.  The posts were funny and heartbreaking and insightful.  I was moved to tears, both of sadness and joy.  I left feeling completely inspired.

And then it clicked . . . again.

I started my blog because I love to write.  It makes me feel whole and true.  I love the sharing and connecting over the human experience whether it is hilarious or sad or angry.  Losing sight of one’s goals is very easy to do at BlogHer.  There is glitter and mayhem at every turn.  I feel like I got kind of turned around which led to an anxiety attack which was compounded by the crowd and lack of water.  But once I got in touch with my priorities (and ate some food and drank some water), all (well, most) was OK with the world again.

Aside from the frenzied pace and soul searching, I had an amazing time with friends.  To me, this is the very best part of BlogHer.  I have made some awesome friends, not just online friends, but real-life friends from this blogging experience.  Being able to hang out with them in person is just amazing. 

Until you are fighting back tears as you say good-bye, which you blame on lack of sleep and water.  Which is a total lie and everyone knows it.

And if you are from Michigan, plan on me stalking you getting in touch with you so we can hang out more!

 I also attended BanShe which was a ton of fun, too.  And my favorite official BlogHer party was the Come as You Are with the Mouthy Housewives and AimingLow.  Cotton candy, cupcakes, and wine with the Mouthy Housewives?  Yes, please!

Yes, this trip had some hiccups.  But overall, it was success.

Did you go to BlogHer?  What did you think?

Something I May Have Forgotten as I Leave for BlogHer12

Tomorrow I leave for BlogHer12.  

So I am clicking along, feeling really good about myself when I am hit by a wave of anxiety.  How can this be?  I have everything ready to be packed.  What could I possibly be nervous about?

Oh, leaving my kids.  Yes, that has made me a bit anxious.

When I left for BlogHer last year, I don’t remember feeling this anxious.  If memory serves me correctly (and I am going by memory because I don’t have time to go back into the archives to check), I remember feeling a bit relieved that I was getting a break.

But this year is different.  Maybe because I feel this is becoming more than a hobby.  It’s a bit more than just “checking this whole blogging thing out.”

I kind of feeling that I am cheating on my kids.  Did I also mention that I am missing my nine year anniversary to go to this?  (We did celebrate this weekend).

But through all this muddy guilty feelings, I do see this little light shining through.  Last week, I was working on some blogging stuff when Marie came up to me.  She wondered what I was doing, and I told her I was writing a blog post and working on my new website.  She said, “I want to be like you when you grow up.  You write, you do stuff on the computer, and you’re home.”

Hmm, I didn’t think it looked like that from the outside.  I always feel torn, like I should be doing a craft or constantly engaging with the kids.  Maybe I’m showing some work/home balance that I wasn’t even aware of.

As for the guilt of leaving for BlogHer, I’ll get over it.  It’s more the anticipation; once I’m there, I’m good.

So here’s to another adventure.  Yes, it’s hard to leave.  But if I focus on that, I’m only going to miss so much when I’m at BlogHer.  I’m going to try my best to live in the moment so I enjoy myself at the conference and am present for my family.

Can’t wait to let you know how it goes!

What Do You Think Thursdays with Skinny Scoop: The List Producer’s Top Apps for BlogHer12

Next week, is THE week; the week where bloggers from everywhere make the pilgrimage to the selected location (this year to New York) to learn about blogging and finally meet all those amazing people they’ve been chatting it up with online in person.   Otherwise known as BlogHer12!

I cannot wait!!

And this time, I am showing up with my iPhone.  Not one of my subpar smart phones of the past.  No, my game changer iPhone!  The one main difference I have noticed is that the apps just work.  No more Twitter issues.  Hello, Instagram! 

So imagine my delight when I found this awesome must-have app list by Paula Rizzo from List Producer!  I cannot wait to try these out!!  (And to meet her in person)!

View this SkinnyScoop List

What are some of your favorite organizing apps?