Wow.
You know how I said last week before leaving for the Blissdom Canada blogging/social media conference that I’d never attended a BlogHer or a Blissdom before, largely because I just couldn’t figure out what the value for me would be? Now I know. It’s not about the branding tips, or the inspirational moments, or the swag, or the celebrities — although there were plenty of those.
Really, it was about the connection. (Which, ironically or perhaps not, is the whole reason I fell madly and deeply and obsessively in love with blogging in the first place.) It was about realizing that the people who have been living in my computer all these years are real three-dimensional people, living and breathing people, not just talking avatars. It was about connecting in person with people whose words and brains I’ve been in love with for years. It was about finding new people to admire, and to engage with.
All of that was great, and I pretty much knew that was going to happen. But there was this other, unexpected benefit from going to Blissdom Canada: it was like a couples retreat for me and blog. I mean, blog and I have been together a LONG time, and we’ve been through a lot together. And lately, well, you’ve probably noticed it as much as I have. Some of the magic, some of the sparkle, some of the joy has been missing for a while. Blog and I had started to drift apart. Oh, that’s not fair, blog is blameless in all of this — it’s me, not blog. I admit it, I’ve been completely infatuated with this sexy young thing called Mothership Photography, and while I was lavishing affection and attention on it, dear old blog only really got the leftovers.
But this weekend at Blissdom Canada, listening to people like Karen Green and Elan and Aidan Morgan and Bonnie Stewart and Ann Douglas and Nadine Silverthorne reminded me how far I’ve come, and how powerful the act of blogging can be. And spending time with the wonderful women from Ottawa (I’m looking at you Julie and Lara and Becky and Vicky and Sara and Karen and Barbara and the rest of you!) and the amazing people behind Mom Central Canada, I’m newly reminded of that power of community, and of connection.
Looking back over the last seven years of blogging, the purpose and goal of the blog have never really changed. It’s about storytelling, and it’s about connection. For the last little while, other things have been chipping away at my attention, and it became more about obligation than joy. But I feel like through the last four days, blog and I have reconnected. We’ve found the love again!
I feel like Blissdom Canada charged up my bloggy batteries. We had a fantastic breakfast with the Mom Central team and Fisher-Price, and I’m feeling all rah-rah, go-get-’em about that – can’t wait to share some of that information with you. But really, I’m just feeling like the fog has lifted and I remember how much I really love the act of blogging, the blog community and even the blog itself.
Over the next couple of days, I’d like to share some insights and observations from the Blissdom Canada sessions I attended. There are some practical tips on SEO and branding, and some more philosophical questions about identity and inspiration. And maybe a few random celebrity sightings as well! 😉
More to come!
Like a couples retreat! I love it!! That is THE perfect metaphor for the experience.
Dani,
So glad the hear you’ve become reinvigorated with the blog. I love your stories and am really looking forward to reading them moving forward.
Lee-Ann
Cannot wait !!!
HOW DID WE NOT MEET?
Ali! I know!!!! I missed you and Cheaty both – boo! 🙁
soooo, we have to go to Toronto to hang out? What is wrong with us?!!! 😉
Was wonderful hanging with you. Such a great weekend!!
Did I ever mention just how excited I was to have you around at Blissdom? Seriously, I have had a bloggy crush on you forever and we finally met at BOLO and to hang out for an entire weekend? Ah, bliss. 😉
I LOVE reading your blog, because you are so good at this blogging thing. I hadn’t actually guessed that the shine had worn off, but I suppose that sexy young mistress does have its appeal. I’m glad you’re finding room for both of them in your life again.
I’m with Rebecca – what’s with the necessity of a 5 hour car ride (or flight) for all of us to spend time together?!?
I started blogging in 2006 to tell the story of our family and our life together. Five years later the story has changed and there’s more stories I want to tell but I want my focus to go back there. It’s what I know best and write best and Blissdom confirmed that I too need to start blogging like it’s 2006.