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 now my fourth year as a home blogger — a term used for those of us who write about home life, decor, and family routines. In 2007 I signed up for a free blog template on a whim, wrote a few introductory posts, and hit “publish.” I had no idea how far that simple decision would carry me. Through blogging I found incredible people who became lasting friends and collaborators. Publishing that first post was a leap into the unknown, but it’s one I’m grateful I took.
Blissdom: our awkward social situations make us human, right?
Next week I’ll be heading back to Nashville for a blogging conference called Blissdom. If you’ve never been to a blogging conference, imagine a few familiar anxieties amplified: the fear of showing up underdressed, the awkwardness of introducing yourself to someone you admire and saying the wrong thing, the wish to join a conversation when nobody seems to notice you standing there, or the dread of public speaking. I worry all of those things, and I’m sure I’m not alone.
I’ve attended Blissdom for the last three years and I can honestly say some embarrassing moments have happened — to me and to friends. Nester and I have a long list of awkward things we’ve done and said that we laugh about now and hope others have forgotten. The truth is, we make awkward moments everywhere, so Blissdom is really just another place to be human together.
Why keep going? Because the conference helps me grow, learn new skills, and connect in real life with amazing people who have supported and encouraged me. Facing insecurity and risking rejection is scary, but the rewards of learning and relationship-building are worth it.
What not to wear at Blissdom!
If you’ll be at Blissdom, you might be wondering what to wear. Simplemom put together a helpful post on what to wear at Blissdom that gives a realistic picture of conference style. At events like this, many of us want to be accepted and can feel self-conscious about our outfits. A common mistake is bringing brand new, fashionable but uncomfortable high heels to appear taller or more stylish — only to retreat to comfy shoes or slippers because long conference days and hotel walking will cause blisters.
Here’s a short rule of thumb: if being the most fashionable person in the room isn’t your goal, relax. Wear what you have and what feels like you. Dressing comfortably and authentically makes the experience easier and less stressful for you and for those around you.
You are invited to the (in)courage Beach House Party at Blissdom!
Despite the awkward moments, Blissdom is a space where women can grow, support one another, and build communities that continue online after the conference ends. If you feel nervous at Blissdom and want a welcoming place to connect, consider attending the (in)courage Beach House party on Thursday at 9:30 PM. It’s a friendly, supportive gathering where many people feel right at home.
Photo by Dawn Camp
The Home Blogger Tribe!
This year brings an exciting role for Nester and me: we’ll be the official Blissdom Home Tribe Leaders. We wouldn’t have made it this far without the encouragement and connections we found through blogging, and now we want to help other home bloggers find community and practical support. Our goal is to connect attendees who blog about homes and decorating so they can learn, collaborate, and grow together.
If you’ll be at Blissdom, follow our Twitter streams so you can find meetups and updates: @theinspiredroom and @thenester. We’ll do our best to tweet meet-up details and use tribe-related hashtags to keep conversations easy to follow throughout the conference.
Home Blogger Niche Wisdom Workshops!
In addition to leading the Home Tribe, Nester and I will host a small Wisdom Workshop on Wednesday for bloggers in the home niche. We’re excited to share lessons we’ve learned, practical tips, and advice from other seasoned bloggers. Home blogging brings unique challenges — from sourcing photos to writing about personal spaces and managing sponsorship — and the workshop will offer concrete ideas to address those issues. If you plan to attend, email theinspiredroom {at} gmail {dot} com to let me know.
Home Bloggers, let’s introduce ourselves right now!
I’d love to know who here considers themselves a home blogger — whether you write about decorating, organizing, family spaces, DIY projects, or homemaking. If you’re not a blogger but enjoy reading and supporting home blogs, you’re part of this community too. Your comments, ideas, and encouragement matter just as much.
Home bloggers, unite! Introduce yourself: share your name, a little about your blog or why you love home blogs, and tell me if you’ll be in Nashville next week. Even if you’re not attending Blissdom, I’d love to hear from you. If you are coming, stop by and say hello so we can connect in person. After you introduce yourself here, hop over to Nester’s blog where she’s collecting a linky for people who will be in Nashville — that helps us organize tribe meetups and share details for Home Tribe events.
You can leave a comment here with your name, a little bit about your blog or why you love Home Blogs, and let me know if you’ll be in Nashville next week! Even if you aren’t going to be there, I hope you’ll introduce yourself here. And if you are in Nashville, I’d love to meet you!
Don’t forget to enter the Longaberger giveaway this week!