blissdom 2013 in 8 bullet points

Last Thursday, I boarded a plane bright and early and headed to Dallas for my second round of Blissdom. When I went last year, I didn’t know very much about blogging, I didn’t have any real goals for this blog, and blogging was a hobby for me. Jon Acuff opened up the conference last year and even though there were hundreds of other people in the audience, I felt like he was speaking straight to my fears and insecurities. I spent the rest of the trip pondering the things he said, and I came back with a better understanding of blogging. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it before, but last year would be hard to top. It challenged my way of thinking and guided me in creating real goals for writing. I walked away from the conference this year with much different feelings. I’ve pondered that for the past few days, and late last night, I finally figured it out.

 

I wish I had kept the momentum going from Blissdom last year. I read Quitter and started getting up earlier, then our big move and summer and loss. It was a little bittersweet to sit in the same place a year later and wish I had been more disciplined about writing and networking. I realized that I had reached the point in which I knew what I needed to do, but I just wasn’t doing it. I slept in on Monday in an attempt to catch up on my sleep, but I spent Tuesday morning (and this morning) writing, while the house was quiet. I can set goals and have dreams, but until I’m willing to wake up and prioritize correctly, things will remain the same.

I thought about breaking this up into several posts, but I’m going to merge the two together. There are so many pictures and things to share, I need a list to keep me on track.

blissdom 2013 in 8 bullet points

• I loved the increased presence of Dr. Smith’s at Blissdom this year. I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to represent such an amazing company at Blissdom. I have a fun giveaway and a few other things in store throughout the year. Also, can we talk about their promotional materials for a moment? I loved seeing quotes from some of my favorite Twitter friends. 
• I didn’t leave as inspired as last year but it wasn’t because the speakers were lacking. I loved hearing Jon Acuff (speak twice), Scott Stratten and Megan Jordan. I learned that multi-tasking is a myth. I’m still working through this one guys, I’ve always prided myself on being a multi-tasking extraordinaire.  Apparently, that doesn’t do anything but bring your IQ down and get a ton of tasks half-way completed.

• Am I the only one who finds head shots a little odd? I know they are necessary but I always feel so lame just smiling at the camera. And then, the photographer asked me to do something funny and… NOTHING. I got nothing. I should have done something funny or cute, but y’all, I’m too big of a dork for all of that. Seriously, not cool enough at all. So I don’t have anything funny or cutesy to show you, just a plain headshot. 

• One thing I love most about Blissdom is meeting new people or people who I’ve only made an online connection with (that sounds creepier than it really is). AP and I met Jon Acuff in the hallway and he couldn’t believe that a girl from Alabama and a girl from Maryland randomly became friends at a blog conference last year. He was still thinking about it during his session because he mentioned it again while speaking (during his breakout session). I was a little more comfortable with the whole blogging conference setting, and I was a little more brave as I talked and networked with many new friends. I am still an introvert to my core, which sometimes comes across in a way that it isn’t meant to. I promise, after I start talking, you’ll wish I would stop.

Just a few of the fun people from Blissdom. I tried to stalk some of your blogs (ahem, Rachel and Molly) and snag some more pictures, but some people haven’t posted them yet. Top to bottom, left to right: Heather, my travel buddy who only lives about 20 minutes away. AP, my Blissdom roommate all the way from Maryl>and. The beautiful Melissa from The View From Five-Two. I met these two ladies for the first time, on the first night, and instantly loved them both, can’t wait to read more from Erin and Blair. The adorable Mandy from A Sorta Fairytale  and Mandy from House of Rose. Sweet Megan, I definitely wish we could have chatted more (and why didn’t we get a picture Meredith?), I seriously needed time to sit down and chat with a few more ladies. The weekend went by so quickly. There were so many other great bloggers I got to meet and chat with, I’m afraid if I start naming then I will forget someone.

• Elizabeth from Dr. Smith’s is seriously one of my favorite people. I don’t know how we managed to miss the photo-op. I was so impressed as she handled everything seamlessly. I also love her for letting me play with candy bar and exercise a little creativity. You did Dr. Smith’s well at Blissdom! 

• And who can forget Sprinkles cupcakes. I tried them for the first time this weekend and they lived up to all of the hype. Red Velvet is the way to go! 

• The ladies at the One 2 One booth introduced me to bright-colored lipstick and false eyelashes. Two things I’m not brave enough to try. I’m going to pick up this fun lip color but I’ll save the false eye lashes for another day, I’m not glam enough for that in real life. Also, I’m now on the hunt for a cute pair of aviators like these I tried on at the VSP booth. 

• I had such a great time at Blissdom, but my heart was thrilled to see Allen and Braylen at the airport. We quickly put my bags in the car and headed to an Easter egg hunt, I got to jump right back into the role I love most.