For four days, I frolicked throughout New York City with over 2,000 strangers. I took classes, drank martinis, participated in my first ever 5K, & wore shoes that absolutely killed my feet:
good thing they are precious, right?
I roomed with three amazing women – Jill, Mae, & Mandy. & I DIDN’T GET MURDERED IN MY SLEEP. Which was a strong possibility considering a) I didn’t actually know them & b) I’m a bed-hog.
I listened to keynote speakers, tapped out notes in a creative writing class, asked questions regarding motivation in fitness blogging, & was reminded once more to MAKE WRITING A PRIORITY. It is my hobby, my passion, & my craft. & I can embrace that without feeling guilty.
Minibrief geeked out with me in sessions.
I also took a photography class. I was in waaaaaay over my head, but still learned some good basics about never putting a sleeping baby in a box. Because hello! chanelling morbid central. I also took a course in the run-downs of photo editing, which introduced me to several different programs & simultaneously inspired & intimidated me. I honestly don’t think I have one inch of talent in my body for photography & editing, but at least I know how to work a few tools in my favor.
I met other survivors of Postpartum Depression. The love & unspoken understanding that flowed between us filled my heart with peace. These women know me. & I know them. & it is my wish that we simply bring knowledge & hope to a disease that hurts too many. (also? I’m not naked in that picture….or am I?)
On Friday night, I partied with Hallmark on a rooftop overlooking Central Park, sipping on peppermint martinis, listening to Christmas music, & bonding with Kacia & Morgan. It was the perfect way to slip away from the hustle of Blogher & simply decompress for two hours. The weather was gorgeous, the conversation flowed, & we even met up with a slightly skanky hot Santa that told me he loved my “little Southern accent.”
I may have stopped here. ahem.
I may have eaten a cupcake. (thank God for the 5K exercise)
& I may have totally partied like a rock star at the Sparklecorn Party. Where I got on stage & shook what The Momma gave me under sparkling lights & pounding music from the DJ.
Throughout the entire weekend, I kept saying, “THIS IS NOT MY LIFE.”
Because y’all…this is not my life. It’s far better than I ever could have dreamed. I had the opportunity to fly to NYC, meet girls that I love, & become inspired to be a better version of myself. & I took away some incredibly valuable lessons.
That internet friends can be lifetime friends.
These women stole my heart. We laughed, hugged, cried, & shared the joy of writing. We came from different backgrounds & perspectives, with different goals for ourselves & our blogs. We have different viewpoints & expressions, but at the end of the day, we are the same in our passion.
What we do matters.
Our blogging. Our writing. Our sharing & communicating & social media. It may seem trivial to some, borderline attention-whorish, but IT MATTERS.
In our writing, our expression, our passion…we communicate the things that matter to us as women, as mothers, as citizens & consumers. We write to tell our stories, to inspire change & state our opinions. & y’all? PEOPLE ARE LISTENING. Companies & other mothers & causes – they are listening.
We simply have to keep talking. & remember that it matters.
