I had briefly considered attending BlogHer this year. It’s close to my home and the thought of meeting all of the bloggers I love intrigued me. Okay, and really the ones I don’t love so much might have caused a bit of intrigue as well. Like a chance to see if they’re as annoying or more so in real life.
Ultimately my family won out though. As they always should. My family will come first. We had planned a family vacation. Originally we were going to go to Florida in April for a family wedding, but that didn’t end up happening and everyone was dying for a vacation. So that was when we decided to just wait until my husband’s vacation in the summer which he always takes the week of his birthday to do a family vacation. And since that was two weeks before BlogHer I decided it would be impossible to attend BlogHer. My husband wouldn’t be able to get the weekend off and the cost was just out of our budget anyways.
That doesn’t mean I haven’t been following those who are there this weekend to see what they say. Watching the #BlogHer12 hash tag tweets just to see what’s happening.
I Realized Something
I don’t need BlogHer. At least not to feel like some of the bloggers are saying it makes them feel. I must be super blessed, but I am the ultimate superstar here at home. I actually saw a blogger tweet that she goes to BlogHer because people are nice to her and make her feel like such a superstar. Well, gee I couldn’t help but wonder what is she doing wrong that she needs BlogHer to feel like a superstar.
Because you see today as I was cleaning my bathroom and steam cleaning floors I felt like a superstar. Sweat dripping off my brow and knee deep in the muck of a house dirtied by six people and two cats on a daily basis I was a superstar. A superstar in the most amazing way. My four year old set up a chair and cheered me on while I cleaned exclaiming, “You’re a good cleaner Mommy!” I doubt I would get that kind of approval or adoration out of anyone who is attending BlogHer.
I Made The Right Choice
It’s nice to know that my family is all I need to make me feel special even in the most unglamorous of moments in life. That is how you know you’re important and special. Not when you’re all dolled up and speaking to a bunch of strangers.
While I’m sure BlogHer could have been very fun and educational and maybe some year I’ll make it there; at least I know that I don’t need to be a superstar for a bunch of strangers. Besides, my children are young still and these moments go so fast, I don’t want to miss anything.
So instead this weekend I will spend it with my family who thinks I rock in everything I do. Even cleaning the bathroom and steam cleaning floors. Although, I do hope that’s not all they see me as being good at.
What makes you a superstar?
You were right to put family first
) Who needs recognition and compliments from strangers when you can receive those things from people you know and love? I’m sure it would have been an experience to attend BlogHer, but it’s not going to make or break you as a blogger.
I’m not really a superstar, I don’t have kiddies and a lot of my acts of kindness for others happens behind the scenes so I don’t often get noticed. But, my husband tells me everyday Im wonderful and he appreciates everything I do…housework (or lack of) blogging and all! And I think that is pretty special
It’s much sweeter that way when it comes from those who really love you. I would imagine less exhausting too because you don’t always have to be “fabulous”. Honestly, watching what happens there it’s like one big party. Not entirely my scene. I’d be there for the seminars and the rest I could probably do without. Actually, they announced they are going to be in Chicago next year during the week my husband is usually on vacation from work. Kind of thinking maybe we could make a family trip out of it. Go for a week and I could go to the conference those two days during the day and my husband can do stuff with the kids and then I can meet up with them later. Something to think about, that’s for sure.
I think that you hit the nail on the head, Monica. You don’t need to be a superstar to a bunch of strangers, those close to you are who really matter. I would love to go to BlogHer one day, but I’m much like you, family comes first. They’re all that I need and I know they’ll always be there for me and they think I’m a superstar, even when I don’t necessarily thing that I am. The thing that makes me feel like a superstar is when I’m helping others, even if it means that I’m just being a listening ear. The look on their face when I’m able to help comfort them makes me feel special. It also helps that my husband and family often tell me how great of a person I am. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
With all the talk of Blogher 13 going on it was nice to hear your perspective. I’m not sure if it’s something I’ll ever do. It’s an aweful lot of money and I’m just to frugal for that.
I think there are smaller conferences you can go to and get just as much out of or even more because there are less people. SITS Girls for instance has one.