I recently attended a blogging conference in London, which was a bit of an eye-opener for me in more ways than one. I've come away from the event with a whole new perspective on blogging, and I've also learned a lot of things about myself.
- I'm a bit crap, socially
Ok, so I kinda knew this already, but going to Britmums has made me realise the full extent of my crap-ness. I used to be confident in social situations, I would talk to anyone about anything and had no problems approaching strangers. I think things changed when I moved from Newcastle to Northern Ireland, I was taken out of my comfort zone. Suddenly, I was a new girl... an English girl amongst lots of Northern Irish people, and I really struggled to fit in. I tried, on occasions, to form new friendships but found it very hard, and so eventually stopped trying. Fast forward a few years, and I find myself in a room full of people I didn't know at Britmums Live. I spoke to no-one, unless they spoke to me first. I'm glad I arranged to meet up with people at the event, or I think I would have spent the whole weekend on my own. I saw so many people I would have liked to say hello too but I just didn't have the confidence. This is something I really need to work on in time for my next event!
- I can do things on my own
I had a lot of pre-BritMums anxiety centred around going to London on my own, navigating the tube on my own, generally doing things on my own. Ok, I know this makes me sound like a child who needs their mummy to hold their hand to do things, and it's not like that. I just mean, we do everything as a family unit, which means when we face difficulties, we do it together. I soon realised I could do this on my own! While I would have liked my husband by my side to reassure me on the plane (I'm terrified of flying), I managed ok. I somehow found my way around London by myself, and I know I could do it again, on my own, if the opportunity arises!
- I can be sensible (eg. I can drink wine and not get really drunk!)
I'm not really known among my friends and family for being sensible. If there is food, I will eat it, if there is wine, I will drink it. I generally lack the self restraint needed to say 'no thanks, I'm good' if I'm offered something that I like the look of but know I shouldn't.
I've been on a healthy eating and fitness challenge for the last 11 weeks, cutting out chocolate and cakes and all of the other things that taste really good. I knew BritMums live would be tough, there were tables full of sweet treats every coffee break. Yes, I ate some, but I'm proud of myself for only eating small amounts, a few months ago I would have been stuffing brownies in to my mouth like the world was going to end.
And then there is the wine. Usually, I'm the girl with her shoes off dancing on the tables, with a traffic cone or something on my head. There is always someone who gets too drunk and it's usually me. My husband laughs because I always say I'm just going out and having a glass or two, and I come home falling through the door. I proved to myself at BritMums that I can have just a few and not get completely sizzled. I was pretty sensible, I had maybe 3 or 4 glasses in the end (remember people, this was free wine, free!)
- I am a blogger
I'm sure this seems obvious, I have been blogging for 18 months, but I've never really considered myself to be a real blogger. I look at big bloggers in awe, and think I can't be like that... But being at the conference, taking part in exciting workshops and speaking to brands genuinely interested in my voice, and surrounding myself with others just like me. It made me realise, it's time to take myself seriously. I've come away from BritMums live feeling like a blogger, and it feels pretty good!
Did you attend BritMums Live? Did it teach you anything about yourself?
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Well done for going on your own though, you are very brave.
ReplyDeleteI'm not that great at being social either (and like you, I think that's partly to do with moving away and not being able to make new friends).
I was too scared to go over and say hello to lots of people, yourself included. I think most of us our in the same boat. Let's make a pact to be braver next time? :)
Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx
Im so glad we got to meet up at the event as otherwise we probably would never have ended up meeting at the event as i was way to shy to go upto people too. I felt the same about the wine i could have easily got totally mortal on the free wine , ( it must be the geordie in us ) but was quiet proud i did not get really drunk and make a fool of myself xx
ReplyDeleteWell done for going by yourself. That's really brave. I'm rubbish at things like that and would be the one in the ladies necking Rescue Remedy whilst trying to pluck up courage to go outside! #pocolo
ReplyDeleteLike you when I moved to here I became a loner. This is what I worry too in big events like this!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on you attending. Sounds like you had fun and I wish I can go to the next one! #pocolo
Well done you for traveling on your own.....I wasn't brave enough and that was just from up here in Northumberland! lol
ReplyDeleteI think you were very brave going on your own :) nice meeting you briefly - hope to see you next year x #Thelist
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, really honest. I have to admit, the though of going to a blogger conference fills me with fear and it's mainly down to the social aspect so well done you for getting out there and going! Maybe that will be me in a year...or so...!
ReplyDelete#pocolo
Thanks for sharing this post about blogging. Trully inspiring and I love also blogging. I follow your blog post.
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