The Most Depressing Time Of The Year For Me
It’s that time of year, again. BlogHer time. The time where people excitedly discuss the upcoming event or crabbily bitch about it…depending on who you read. I’m always very sad when BlogHer rolls around and I’m not participating. While I usually spend more time as an anxious mess in a corner somewhere than I do actually participating, I always wonder if the year that I’m missing could have been the year I got over myself already and ditched the social anxiety to really take the event for the fabulous thing it is: Fantastically Brilliant Groups Of Women Gathered To Inspire. Unfortunately, I’m still struggling with getting over my social anxiety enough to serve on the board of parents for my son’s theater program (I still can’t believe I’m doing that) – I doubt I’ll be at ease with an event like BlogHer any time soon. Either way, I always try to go. I look at the budget, the schedule, and try to figure out some way to make it. Because even though I do spend a lot of time in a ball of nerves and paranoia, I also always find moments to be inspired, to be joyful, and to be in utter awe of the community of female bloggers I joined almost 7 years ago.
To all of my friends going? I wish I were there with you. I wish I could give you overly-enthusiastic hugs and beg you to hide in the corners with me. I hope you get loads out of the event and I hope you share everything with us.
And for those of you joining me stuck at home during all of the BlogHer 2010 ROX! entries? Let’s come up with some unifying story to tell about that GREAT THING that happened to EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US so that we all feel better about missing out on all the fun. I’m thinking we all win the lottery, get invited to dine with Ellen and Portia, discover rare artifacts in our flowerbeds and then miraculously find ways lose 50lbs while watching crappy TV. That will teach those women to have fun without us.
Here are some of my favorite photos from my previous BlogHer events. I smile at every one of these and long for the company of these wonderfully inspiring women. I guess my blind boston terrier will have to suffice for now. She’s pretty inspirational on her own, you know.
I’ve never gone to BlogHer even tho I have been blogging for TEN years. I would love to tho, just can’t justify the funds. Someday!
Oh I wish every year that you could go. I would totally hide in the corner with you. At least until our liquor kicks in. I think this year could be my last though. It is hard to justify the expense year after year. Plus my sister is always begging me to go to a beach with her.
I’m beyond excited though to finally get to see New York City. I feel like it’s something to check off of my bucket list.
Aw! I LOVED meeting you at BlogHer the only year I went. You didn’t seem awkward in the slightest, for what little I’m sure that’s worth.
I’m sure my reasons for not going are very good, not that they seem so right at the moment; I still have regrets every year.
Thanks, now I can’t wear that shirt again to THIS BlogHer
I love that shirt!
I am a little anxious that I will not have any folks I know really, really well this year to pal around with – Celeste is going, but I can’t expect her to hold my hand the entire time. And Rita will be busy working and escorting her husband. I am going to have to force the introvert in me to buck up and make small talk with my MOUTH, instead of hiding in my dining room and using my fingers on Twitter. The horror, you know?? So, yes — I understand the social anxieties.
However, I still remember that a chance encounter poolside gave me one of my best friends, Brit. Funny. At the time of the photo, I had no idea what an incredible support she would be to me the next few years.
Also, would like to point out that is Ariana Huffington behind us. I STILL kick myself that I did not go and pull my best Freaky Fangirl moves on her. Sigh.
I’ve never been, and I don’t really consider myself a “big” enough blogger to go (I really don’t give a rat’s behind about marketing or my “brand” haha) but I always do envy all the fun stories just a little bit!
It kills me too. I would LOVE to go, but there is no way I could afford it unless something drastic changes…. or unless they decide to hold it in my backyard next year.
This year I came closer than I ever have to Actually Going. Then I added up the cost of the ticket, the hotel, the airplane ticket, the food—and I realized it was more money than I was willing to spend on a weekend conference. In a later year it might not be more than I’m willing to spend, I’ll have to see.
I’m torn about BlogHer. On the one hand, it sounds like fun but on the other it seems like there’s always some kind of drama. Also, my social anxiety would make me a nervous wreck. And then there’s the Money Issue.
I love that picture of you and Amalah. You guys look so thrilled to see each other. In person!
I’ve never been to BlogHer but I keep saying I am going to go someday. But every year when registration opens, I start doing the math and realize I could take my family on a vacation for the cost of the airfare, hotel, and registration fee. I just feel too selfish since I’m not working to spend that much on my hobby. But then the actual event comes around and I wish I had just done it because it sounds like so much fun! (Despite the fact that I would likely be so socially awkward that I wouldn’t talk to anyone until the last day.)
For fricks sake! stopping posting the picture where all three of us just had babies!!! I’m going to have to go to blogher again just so we have better pictures.
I’ve been blogging for almost six years now and would like to go at least once. I was in the same social-anxiety boat as you a few years back, but I’ve since come out of it. And after going to Toronto last year for a solo vacation, I now know I can have fun somewhere new, make new friends, or just have a good time exploring a
city by myself.
It sounds like you’re on your way out of your social anxiety. I’m sure you’ll make it and you’ll attend a Blogher conference before you know it.
I was just coming to check out your blog to see if you’d mentioned whether you were going to BlogHer this year or not lately…
I’m so sorry I won’t be seeing you there this time! I’m only going to be there for the Friday morning and the gala (I’ve got a photograph in the gala show), but I was really hoping to see you. BlogHer just won’t be the same without you.
I have never cared about going to BlogHer, but I really wanted to this year because it’s in NYC and a lot of my music mom buddies are going :/
I know what will make us feel better. We can go see Eclipse again! We can go in my new Bibi Bug
I would love to make it to BlogHer but that would involve a few international flights which are a little more expensive lol.
It’s kind of scary that I totally recognize Hola, Isabel & co, even with the black bars on their faces!
I totally understand what you’re saying. While I’d l-o-v-e to go to BlogHer again, the anxiety is intense. (I still kick myself for not opening up to you more when we hung out at BlogHer. In my head I kept screaming “OMG, I’m eating breakfast with MISS ZOOT!”)
Maybe I’ll have a baby during BlogHer and that post will make up for my “BLOGHER IS SO MUCH FUN” post that I won’t be writing.
As always, thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
And another thing…..I CAN’T BELIEVE A PICTURE OF ME MADE IT ONTO ZOOT’S LIST OF FAVE BLOGHER PICS!!!!!