#BlogHer17 Reflections

or, feeling like a human for a second.

I think it was about seven months ago when my longtime friend and fellow blogger, Bri suggested that we go to a blogging conference together. It sounded quite appealing to me, first and foremost because it was held in Orlando, an easy three hour drive for me. Early bird prices were affordable enough, and once I committed Hubs to rearranging his work schedule so he could take care of the rascals, I was in. Sure, why not?

Once I made the big purchase, I began to feel completely intimidated. I'm not a professional writer, photographer, or video editor. I don't know the ins and outs of the world wide web and HTML. This is going to be such a waste of money. I'm bush league! What the heck was I thinking?

I immediately had to change my outlook. There were three huge reasons that this was so awesome and TOTALLY worth the investment.

1. Learning. This entire thing was new to me. Speakers, sessions, networking, expos, being a professional: I learned every step of the way. The speakers inspired me to really figure out my purpose in blogging. The sessions kind of clued me in to so many elements of content creation that I hadn't considered. And the networking, oh man! Talk about a self confidence boost. How completely refreshing it is to have someone ask "What do you write about?" instead of, "How old are your kids?" It felt AMAZING to be Brittany, and not Mommy for a weekend. And I met so many amazing women that I realized after the fact that they were are a pretty big deal! The expo was fun. I had absolutely no expectations for partnering with sponsors, so I just observed and snagged freebies. I'd say the biggest lesson I learned about blogging is that I should not give up. It's hard work, but possible to be successful. And, success looks different for everyone. I have no interest in having ten million followers on social media. That freaks me out actually. I need to figure out what success of The Flip-side of Zen looks like for me.

Chelsea Clinton and Cecil Richards

2. Reunion. Bri and I go way back, maybe we weren't BFFs back in grade school, but we found ourselves together in two very intense, life changing times. First we were roommates in college. Personally, I went through my awkward junior high stage late, like in college. So there's that. And Bri was testing the waters of college romance. You really get to know someone when you live with them (Sorry Bri!). Nearly 10 years after that, we happened to both be living in Shanghai, China,where we both had our first babies, and the crazy birth stories to go with them. How great it was to start from right where we left off, not missing a beat. So now, after having an amazing weekend with one of my forever friends, and no kids to worry about..... can we please do this every year!?

Thick as thieves

3. ME time. I got to do what I wanted ALL WEEKEND LONG! I got to pee alone, I got to eat food that wasn't cold, I got to sleep in my own bed and wake up at a decent hour. I got to float down the lazy river with an overpriced beverage in hand. It was GLORIOUS! (Do you hear a choir of angels singing? Because I totally do every time I think about it.) So yeah, I definitely think this needs to be an annual thing.

No fights to break up or butts to wipe, a real vacation.

I am so glad that I stepped out of the mundane not only to do something new, but to do something new for me. I've been in such a rut with this blog (and let's be honest: life). When I used to see all these professional "mommy blogs" I'm over here like, who is watching their kids? When do they sleep?! But they've managed it somehow. And I can too. I didn't even realize it until I got that weekend to think, breathe, and only worry about myself as a human being, not a mom.

Tune in next time for an exciting blog on SELF CARE! ;)