Blissdom Time!
Me (looking like I seriously needed a nap), Laurie Tip Junkie, Nester, Simplemom,
Emily Chatting at the Sky (this is her photo) at Blissdom
Leaps of Faith
This is my fourth year as a home blogger—writers who share about home life, decorating, and everyday living. I began in 2007 on a whim with a free template, typed a few sentences, and hit publish. I never imagined that those early posts would lead to friendships, opportunities, and growth. Publishing felt like a leap into the unknown, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Over the years blogging has connected me with people who have become dear friends and mentors, and it has helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
Blissdom: our awkward social situations make us human, right?
Next week I’m heading back to Nashville for Blissdom, a blogging conference that can feel equal parts inspiring and terrifying. If you’ve ever worried about awkward introductions, saying the wrong thing to someone you admire, or stumbling through a public talk, you’re not alone. Those fears are part of the experience for many of us. I admit I worry about all of them, but I keep going because the benefits outweigh the discomfort.
I’ve attended Blissdom for the past three years and, yes, I’ve had my share of embarrassing moments. The Nester and I keep a long list of awkward things we’ve said and done that we laugh about now. We’re human—so even when we’re not at a conference we still act awkward sometimes, and Blissdom just gives us a place to be awkward together.
Why keep returning? Because I learn, I grow, and I connect in real life with people who inspire and support me. Conferences give me a chance to give back to others who’ve encouraged me online. We all face insecurities, but the only way to move past them is to face them and risk rejection. The connections and lessons I gain at Blissdom make that risk worthwhile.
What not to wear at Blissdom!
One common worry for attendees is what to wear. Simplemom wrote a helpful post about what to wear to Blissdom that gives a realistic sense of what to expect. Bloggers are real people who want to feel accepted, so outfit anxiety is natural. But here’s practical advice: skip the brand-new, painful high heels you bought to look taller or trendier. You’ll probably end the day barefoot or in comfy shoes—the Opryland Hotel and long days can leave anyone with blisters.
If you’re not aiming to be the most photographed or the most stylish person in the room, relax. Wear what’s comfortable and reflects who you are. Most of us aren’t there to be judged for our wardrobe; we’re there to learn, meet people, and have meaningful conversations. Letting go of outfit pressure makes the weekend more enjoyable for everyone.
You are invited to the (in)courage Beach House Party at Blissdom!
Even when we feel awkward, Blissdom helps women learn and grow online and offers ways to support one another once we’re back at home. If you’re at Blissdom and feeling unsure, consider stopping by the (in)courage Beach House party on Thursday at 9:30 PM. It’s a welcoming, supportive community where many attendees feel right at home. Everyone is welcome and the gathering is known for being warm and generous toward guests.
Photo by Dawn Camp
The Home Blogger Tribe!
This year Nester and I are serving as the official Blissdom Home Tribe Leaders. Neither of us would have made it this far without the encouragement and advice we’ve received from other home bloggers, and we want to make it easier for others to connect. Our goal is to help home bloggers meet one another, share resources, and find encouragement and success in this niche. If you’ll be at Blissdom, follow along on Twitter to find our meetups and updates from @theinspiredroom and @thenester.
During the conference we’ll be using home-related tags to help people find conversations and meetups. We want to create space for home bloggers to connect throughout the entire event and to build relationships that extend beyond the conference walls.
Home Blogger Niche Wisdom Workshops!
In addition to leading the Home Tribe, the Nester and I will host a small Wisdom Workshop on Wednesday for women focused on the home niche. We’ll share practical lessons we’ve learned, pitfalls to avoid, and tips from other bloggers we admire. Home blogging has unique challenges—copyright concerns, working with sponsors, photographing interiors, and balancing family life while sharing your home—and our workshop will offer concrete ideas for addressing those issues. We hope to share and connect with anyone who attends. If you plan to join the workshop, you can let me know via email at theinspiredroom {at} gmail {dot} com.
Home Bloggers, let’s introduce ourselves right now!
If you consider yourself a home blogger—someone who writes about homes, decorating, entertaining, or family life—please introduce yourself. If you read and comment on home blogs, you’re part of this community too; your voice matters. Leave a comment with your name, a bit about your blog or why you love home blogs, and whether you’ll be in Nashville next week. Even if you aren’t attending Blissdom, we’d love to meet you virtually and celebrate the ways you contribute to this community.
After introducing yourself here, visit Nester’s blog to add your name to the linky she’s created for attendees. That helps us know who will be at Blissdom so we can include you in Home Tribe activities and share logistics for meetups.
Don’t forget to enter the Longaberger giveaway this week!