I started writing this post on my flight home while I was somewhere in the air over Arizona. It’s hard to wrap my head around the weekend at BlogHer and what exactly it meant for me and this little space on the internet.
What made this a great experience for me wasn’t the sessions. It wasn’t the swag. It wasn’t the scenery. Even though all of those things were amazing.
It was stepping outside my comfort zone and doing something different.
I was so nervous on the way to the airport. I was scared. I felt like country mouse goes to the city. I was dumped into the airport with other travelers from public transit and had no idea where I was going or what I was doing. I felt so out of my element, all wide-eyed and scared.
I almost cried when my plane and gate were changed and I lost my window seat and got stuck next to a surfer hippie man in a skort who laughed out loud at random while scratching himself and then did Downward Dog in the seat next to me. (Yes. That happened.)
By the end of the trip, I was navigating myself and others around San Diego and I only got lost once. I maneuvered my way through the airports with ease and even gave advice to an older lady sitting on the return flight next to me. I felt seasoned. A part of something instead of apart FROM something.
It was the people.
Being surrounded by like-minded people who “get it” is always a little surreal. On this level? I mean, what’s a word for “beyond surreal.” Because it was that.
Seeing people and going “Oh, hey…I know you!” when I don’t technically know that person at all? Amazing. But that’s what this blogging thing feels like. It feels like getting to know people. When I spotted Katie from the walkway above baggage claim, I knew her. Or it was like I’d known her for as long as I can remember knowing anyone. Meeting Suz and Alena and Diana was like meeting up with old friends for a girl’s weekend.
Sitting down with women like Nichole and Sherri and talking blogging and life and shared experience was time better spent than any time spent in sessions.
Maybe this seems like a lame recap, (don’t worry, I have more (fun) things to talk about up my dashboard), but I think this is the bulk of what BlogHer comes down to for me–I grew as a person by doing something different and meeting new people, both of which are opportunities in short supply in my real life.
I’m glad I went despite my fears.
these last two days my feed had been filled with blogher recaps. i like reading about the rejuvenation everyone has had. this makes me really think that next year? i need to attend. for me, to expand my knowledge (the little i have), to gain new ideas/insight and for the people.
glad you had a fab time!
Yes, this, exactly. It felt like coming BACK to something, even though it was my first time.
i totally felt the same way – it was so out of my element to get on a plane and travel to a different country (being canadian) and i was so proud of myself (might be lame to some people but it was a big accomplishment for me)
so happy to have briefly met you & cant wait to read more of your recaps 🙂
I totally agree. I sent you Wed & Thurs’s photos tonight & will try to upload them to FB tomorrow as well as sending Fri & Sat’s photos. I miss you already. Let’s talk soon!
I am glad you went, too, and that you had a wonderful experience. Also, I’m kind of intrigued by this seatmate you had on your flight… Don’t judge, I have a thing for hippies :p
I’m 99% happy for you and 1% jealous. Okay, maybe 90-10. I’m so glad you had such a good experience.
This makes me feel better about going to Bloggy Boot Camp in a couple weeks…I’m all nervous at this point..
First time commenting here! I love that you were able to find the courage to go and enjoy yourself. I would be completely intimidated!! But it looks like a blast!
you know i feel this SAME EXACT WAY. and the one bad thing? Now that I have hugged you and cried with you and laughed with you? I miss you in a way I never did before. We must come see you guys. must.
It makes me really, really happy to read this. Little mouse no more.
You’re awesome 🙂
I love hearing that “I saw Katie, and I knew her.” I love that, if nothing else, Blogher managed to break down the “online vs IRL” friend line for so many . . . it’s a stupid line to begin with (because it shouldn’t matter), but I love hearing about that first moment, where people who had known each other for a long time, finally get to see each other, face-to-face.
I am so glad you enjoyed it!!! I have been loving all the recap posts these past several days – soaking it all in so I can even more fully enjoy it when my time comes. 😉
I want to go to Blissdom; my hubs thinks I have lost my mind.
I’ve been soaking up all of the recap posts, but this one? He might have to read, though he is not a blog reader, because it explains what I HOPE will happen if I go to a conference.