Gah! I cannot believe how neglectful I have been of my blog over the past month. Ever since returning from BlogHer, I just haven’t had the motivation to blog about anything.
Part of the problem is that my laptop is on the fritz, so I can’t edit pictures and can barely get online most of the time. My husband is in the process of researching a new laptop (suggestions?), so hopefully that situation will get remedied soon.
I have things to share with. Great pictures of my son’s 3rd birthday party, a couple fun giveaways from companies I met at BlogHer, and some reviews of great products. All these posts are running around in my brain….I just can’t seem to get them to my fingers.
I’ll be honest. BlogHer was not the experience I had hoped it would be and I’ve been feeling jaded about blogging ever since I returned. My first BlogHer in 2011 was amazing. I learned a lot and felt that as a small blogger, I fit in as much as anyone else. I think maybe I was just naive to all the other things going on that year, but I came back from BlogHer ’11 excited about blogging.
This year was different. I felt that my small blog was insignificant. People (brands and bloggers) weren’t interested in hearing about it because I wasn’t offering something that would benefit them. It felt competitive and cut-throat. It felt like high school…and I have no interest in returning to those years.
I know that I let myself get too wrapped up in the drama. I let myself get too concerned about what parties I was going to and didn’t spend enough time focusing on the connections I was making.
I don’t regret going….I loved spending time with friends in NYC. But I won’t be back to BlogHer. The conference is too big and too commercial for me.
Obviously, I’m still having a hard time processing my BlogHer experience and deciding how to translate it into my blogging life moving forward. I’m hoping by writing about it here, I might be able to move on and get back to blogging about the things I want to blog about.
And I hope you will stick with me while I figure this all out. Thanks!
thanks for sharing, I have heard mixed things about this conference and thinking of going next year since I have family in Chicago, but sounds like it may not be worth the investment especially from us small bloggers. Thanks for sharing and I hope to hear more from your blog soon
stayingclosetohome recently posted..Sugar Cookie Cut Outs–People Food for our Puppy Party
I am still trying to decide whether or not I want to go to BlogHer ’13. After seeing so many posts on this years conference it all felt like a competition: blog numbers, who is wearing what, etc. I just want to go to a place where I can be my self and not try to fit in with a crowd that is now mine….
Are you contemplating on going to Blissdom or a smaller blogging conference next year?
Sofia recently posted..Vignette Wine Country Soda
I’ve been missing your posts. I’m excited to hear what you’ve been up to.
Linda recently posted..August Book Tally
Wow! I am sorry to read this. I don’t do drama very well so now I will definitely think twice about investing in going to a conference. That’s just sad.
Kenyatta Rodriguez recently posted..Take Every Thought Captive
I’m sorry that BlogHer wasn’t what you thought it would be. Honestly, after all that I heard this year, I’m glad I decided not to go. I’m happy with how my blog is now.
I hope you can overcome your disappointment and let yourself shine again. And you’re not the worst blogger ever! Trust me, you aren’t even nearly in competition for that title.
Maggie C recently posted..I’ve always wanted to…
Quality over quantity!!!! Just keep plugging along – you never know how you might impact someones life. Maybe you can organize and/or collaborate with other NW bloggers and create a mini-conference??? Mmmmm…….the wheels are spinning.
Love,
Mum
Hang in there and keep doing your own thing! I’ve heard from plenty of other bloggers who feel the same way so you aren’t alone at all. I’ve been having some “bad blog days” recently but I guess we all go through it from time to time. I try not to compare my blog with others but every know and then it gets the best of me!
I was at BlogHer; it was my 1st time. I’ve been to Bloggy Boot Camp twice and loved it. I found BlogHer overwhelming, and I heard a number of complaints about it afterwards. I’m definitely not going back though I may consider going to Type A which is smaller and more intimate.
Barb @ A Life in Balance recently posted..friday fun: how i met my husband
I’ve been having a lot of trouble getting back on the horse after BlogHer. I was expecting to come back all motivated and inspired. I came back the complete opposite. Too many thoughts and ideas I just shut down. Happy I’m not alone in feeling this way. Hope you get back to blogging soon!