In January 2011, my best friend Neely attended her first BlissDom conference. Before she went, I had never heard of BlissDom. I’d been blogging for almost a year, and I was still trying to figure out my place in this world of blogging.
Neely texted me a lot during BlissDom, about the things she was learning, the people she was meeting, everything. Every conversation ended the same way: “Ashley, you have to come next year.”
And so, the planning began.
Fast forward to February 2012. Barely a year after first hearing of BlissDom, I was going for the first time. I was going to be rooming with Neely and Meghan and making the drive with Neely, Amber, and Kiley. While I had spent time with all of these fabulous girls before, I was still a little nervous.
Four days after being diagnosed with the flu (which I don’t recommend getting right before a blog conference, by the way), I headed to Texas to spend the night with Neely and head to Nashville the next day. Bright and early Wednesday morning, Kiley and Amber met us at Neely’s, and after a quick stop at Starbucks, we were on our way.
I was so nervous, more nervous than I was willing to admit at the time. I’m not an especially outgoing person, and the thought of being surrounded by 750+ people I didn’t know wasn’t exactly comforting. Sure, I had Neely, Amber, Kiley, and Meghan to lean on, but I knew we wouldn’t be spending every moment together.
Thursday, we headed down to registration, and right away, we ran into Jenn! After hugging and screaming with her for a few minutes and then getting all checked in, I just knew that things were going to be fine.
Things were better than fine. I felt so at home. I didn’t have a lot of blog friends in OKC, and I hadn’t shared my blog with very many people “in real life”, so being with a huge group of people who understood me was incredible. Listening to my close friends, new friends, and great speakers helped me realize that I was part of something important, something special, and something bigger than myself. I am a part of an incredible group of people that are changing the world!
One thing that truly amazed me about BlissDom is that everyone there is just a blogger. It doesn’t matter how big or how small your blog is. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been blogging for five years or five minutes. We are all just bloggers doing what we love and coming together to celebrate that!
I gained so much from attending BlissDom. I had time to deepen relationships with some of my precious friends. I finally got to spend some real time with friends I’d only known online. I got to meet several people I connected with in the newcomers group on Facebook that I still keep in touch with today. I got to meet some big bloggers that I’ve admired for awhile. I also got a hug from Alli Worthington :) More than anything, I gained a confidence in myself and my blog that I never had before.
When I got home, I suddenly had an urge to tell everyone I knew about my blog and how amazing the blog world is! For the first time ever, I shared my blog link on Facebook. It was such an exciting moment!
This year, I feel like things are different. I have a different attitude this time. My blog has gone through a name change and has almost quadrupled in followers. I’m a community leader for the first time, and any nervousness I had last year is gone. I’m more comfortable with my place in the blog world than I have ever been. I’m excited to be attending BlissDom again, and I’m excited about the new opportunities and experiences I will have this year.
This year, I will spend a fabulous weekend with some of my favorite people. I will help newcomers and new bloggers. I will NOT get the flu! I will get another hug from Alli and remember to get a picture this time :)
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Hope you have a great trip this year and don’t get sick!
Blissdom sounds like an amazing experience! Hopefully I can make it next year, it would be wonderful to meet some of you ladies in real life!
Hope you have a great trip and will be healthy this year! Take plenty of vitamins and get plenty of rest leading up to it ;0)
I am so sad I won’t be attending this year! You are going to be an amazing Community Leader, and I cannot wait to hear all about it!
This sounds like such an amazing time! :)
Look at you and your blog growing up and all that jazz! So proud of you for taking a chance and then soaring to new heights.
How many cliches can I fit into one comment? ;) haha!
I hope I can go one day… :)
I am getting so pumped!
Amazing! I can’t wait to meet you and so many other bloggers. It is going to be so much fun.
I really like your take on Blissdom It sounds like unforgettable experience.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
We had such a blast! I can’t wait to make even more fun memories with you this year!