Like finding your tribe."
As the plane touched down in Sydney I took a deep breath and mustered up every ounce of courage I could find.
I was here for a Digital Parents blogging conference, over 150 bloggers from across Australia all coming together.
I was afraid.
I was afraid.
Afraid I wouldn't fit in.
Afraid my little blog is too small, unworthy.
Afraid my little blog is too small, unworthy.
And yet I didn't turn tail and return home.
I faced the fear and stepped forward.
A leap of faith.
A leap of faith.
From Tuesday lunchtime until my return home on Friday, this week has held so many highs it is impossible name them all.
I was in a conference room with so many people I love, people who's writing inspires me, makes me laugh, and sob. People who understand my urge to write.
It took effort to restrain my eagerness to meet everyone at once, to act cool even when inside I was churning with uncertainty and excitement. I don't think it is a stretch to say most of us in the room were all doing the same thing.
I met so many people, some who I had already befriended on twitter and through blogposts, but others were a total surprise.I found my twitter peeps - the ones I turn to almost daily for support, a laugh and comradeship. I found the beautiful women from the The Kids Are Allright community. I found my people.
I met so many people, some who I had already befriended on twitter and through blogposts, but others were a total surprise.I found my twitter peeps - the ones I turn to almost daily for support, a laugh and comradeship. I found the beautiful women from the The Kids Are Allright community. I found my people.
On Wednesday night I read one of my blog posts aloud. To see acceptance and appreciation on the faces of listeners was an unexpected delight. I felt as though I fitted.
This week, for a few days, I felt part of the community. I found my tribe.
I have returned energised and inspired, humbled by other speakers stories. I am once again, in love with the notion of writing.
Where do you find your energy and inspiration to write?
Where do you find your energy and inspiration to write?
Lisa. I loved meeting you and laughing with you and hope it's not too long till we meet again! xx
ReplyDeleteThankyou, it was lovely to meet you too. So many awesome people in the one room, and I was amazed at the generous, accepting vibe in the room. Blessed xx
DeleteSo happy for you to have had such a lovely time Lisa.
ReplyDeleteIs a beautiful thing to find your tribe and feel you fit in.
Looking forward to more of your great posts.Xx
thanks Deb, you are always here encouraging me, thankyou xx
DeleteLoved meeting you! Wish I could've stayed longer... 'Finding your tribe' resonated with me as well - this community is very special. So many unique stories. X
ReplyDeleteHi Mumma,
DeleteLovely to meet you too, It went by so fast it was difficult to absorb everything, I think we need 5 days next time :-)
Oh Lisa ... so glad that you did make the trip, digging deep for the courage needed to walk into a room like that. You will not look back. I promise you that. x
ReplyDeleteIt's a funny thing courage. Almost as soon as you step out with it, you find that actually you had little to fear. I can't wait for next year.
DeleteI was feeling just like you, scared and uncertain of what I would find. How lucky was I to meet my other "family" everyone made me feel so welcome. It was a pleasure to meet you my gorgeous friend. You are truly inspiring xx
ReplyDeleteI suspect almost everyone in the room had the same feelings, some were just better at 'poker faces'. The whole conference had such a welcoming vibe, even when the speakers had gone home and we were left to entertain ourselves :-)
DeleteIt was awesome to meet you Lisa - I'm so glad we ended up on your table at the Gala dinner! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn, so pleased you were there, even without your sunhat. I think the Harlem Shake was all the better for our Gala Night contribution!
DeleteSO glad we could connect in real life. What an amazing bunch of women (I am thinking the TKAAR members but of course it could apply to all the women in the room). A privilege to meet you at long last Lisa - you are such an individual, and you ARE very brave, not just for turning up but for reading your post and talking to me about "stuff". Big hugs to you - till we meet again :) xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI was blown away by the bravery of some speakers, they spoke with such grace even while laying their hearts bare. It was an absolute priveledge to be in the room. Thankyou for your friendship, it was so lovely to meet you and find that you are as kind and giving in real life as you are on TKAAR. We shall have to start planning the next adventure xx
DeleteIt was absolute bliss to meet you Lisa, I feel like one of the members of your tribe now too. I felt the same nervousness and 'unworthiness' amongst all the smart, funny, brave and insightful women in that room, you included! But after 10 minutes of knowing you I just wanted to give you a hug, and that's not like me at all (except after a few glasses of bubbly).
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for our TKAAR tribe to get together again. xx
Hi Becci! Absolutely, welcome to my tribe xx (PS I get way more huggy after a few glasses of bubbly LOL)
DeleteJust some of the chats on trips between the accommodation and the venue were fun and interesting in themselves. Glad you're excited for next year. You are *booked*, roomie!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the sessions were wonderful and inspiring, but I also gained so much from the private conversations and the 'gathering' afterwards. Strongly recommend to everyone to stay on site for the next one, you miss out on so much if you go home in the evenings.
DeleteSo glad you had a great time and went back to loving the notion of writing. The world is a better place when you share your thoughts lovely lady. So glad that we had a chance to connect, speaking with you has changed the way I will look at things. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteRhi ! I consider meeting you one of the biggest blessings of the whole conference. You are amazing ! Get on the keyboard and write. The same story, but different now xx
DeleteHello! Oh we must say hello in person next time! I'd love to have stayed nearby to be able to get there earlier and gab, so missed out on that TKAA brekkie. Glad you had a good time and hope all's going smoothly since you got home.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think staying at the motel with all the out-of-towners makes the conference even better. We had time afterwards to decompress, to talk through the day. Some of the sessions were pretty heavy so having that time afterwards to reflect together was wonderful. All is well at home. It is rarely smooth, but I am calm in the waves.
DeleteLisa, you're gorgeous! Just looking at your face made me feel happy :)
ReplyDeleteLol, thankyou, I am a smiley person. It gets me into trouble sometimes !
DeleteI loved meeting you, Lisa and enjoyed your slightly self-deprecating ways (I felt like we had a lot in common) and easy smile. Would have loved to have chatted even more! Kx
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, I would love the conference to be a week-long affair (preferably somewhere with a pool and a Kiss-Me-Kutush waiter for everyone .. Looking hot Rhonda!!
DeleteLovely to meet you LIsa and look forward to spending more time with you at our next event x x Dani
ReplyDelete**Waves** am still in awe of your push ups. O.M.G.
DeleteWHAT? You didn't miss me? Not even a little... *sniff*
ReplyDeleteOh my lovely I missed you! You would have LOVED it all. But I know birthdays are sacred in ur house, so next year we shall petition Brenda with 'dates to avoid' xxx
DeleteHey beautiful, your blog post was stunning. I'm in awe. Rach
ReplyDeleteHello Rach, Thankyou, I believe we are all members of a mutual awe society. One, Two Three "awwwwwwww".
DeleteBut truly, this conference was beautiful for me. Once again I am reminded of how blessed I am in my life, in where I live, in my family and in the love I have in my life. xxx
By all accounts, you were awesome! So glad you had the courage to go not an easy thing that courage) and that you got so much out of it! xx
ReplyDeleteThe conference was fantastic wasn't it! I was a bundle of nerves too, to start with but bloggers are so awesome the nerves disappeared pretty quickly. I didn't get a chance to tell you that I loved hearing your read your post on Wednesday, its a beautiful story and you read it so well.
ReplyDelete