I’ve pretty much never done anything uncomfortable in public, I avoid it like the plague. I don’t speak in front of a crowd. In high school I’d take zeros on the presentation portion of English papers because I was terrified to stand in front of my peers. When I walk into a room full of people and I’m alone I almost always try to avoid eye contact because I’m never quite sure what to say. I don’t enjoy small talk, but I do enjoy talking. I just like to get right to it. Let’s be real. I’m a little bit of an introvert. But more than that, I lack self-confidence and I’m always worried about what others think of me.
With all of that said, you can imagine going to Haven, a Home/DIY Bloggers conference with 400+ of my peers was a tad bit frightening for me. I bought that ticket though and I was SO EXCITED. But as the event got closer and closer my worries got bigger and bigger. The only thing that kept me from selling my ticket was my husband. See I was so afraid of not being good enough. Not good enough to be in a place with so much talent. I was afraid of every aspect. What to wear, how to approach vendors, my sweaty pits and the list goes on. I’ve never traveled alone, and I was expected to navigate two airports alone! Yikes!
Guess what though? I not only DID IT, I ENJOYED every single second of this trip and the conference. I met some amazing people! I met my bloggy idol, Mandi from Vintage Revivals who totally made me cry big crocodile tears during her closing remarks. I didn’t say anything stupid or vomit on her shoes either. #winning I don’t know if all bloggers are like this, but Home/DIY bloggers are some of the nicest people I have EVER EVER been around. Not once did I feel inadequate or less than. I was able to confidently connect with brands and introduce myself to a couple of bloggers I was really excited to see like Alison from Two Thirty Five!
I roomed with Emily from Table + Hearth and feel like I made a lifelong friend in her!! She is the SWEETEST and she made me feel totally normal in not being a super girly girl!!! Between me, Emily, Tasha (Designer Trapped), Carrie (Kenarry: Ideas for the Home), Lauren (Bless’er House), and Heather (The Heathered Nest), we made a pretty good crew for the weekend! We laughed so much!! It was a great time and these girls are the real deal. I loved hanging with them!
Here we are after Liz Marie’s session on growing your Instagram followers. She is even nicer in person than she is on her blog, as if that’s even possible! (Emily, Carrie, Liz Marie, Tasha, Me)
I built a K-cup dispenser in a Ryobi build session. I fell in love with this stapler and the nail gun. They are definitely both on my buy list!!
We also build and painted a serving tray with Ana White!!! That was fun, especially getting to do something hands on with friends.
Oh and the SWAG!! Lots and LOTS of swag. This is about half of what I came home with. I had to pack an extra suitcase just to fit all of it. Unfortunately, some of it didn’t make it through the TSA inspection….
Enjoyed this beautiful Moscow Mule with friends. A little liquid courage if you will 😉 Plus, it was delicious and necessary in HOTLANTA.
At the Moen booth with Tasha from Designer Trapped. This girl. She is hilarious and so genuine! I’ll spare you the outtakes from this shower session. Too funny!
Yeah, this weirdness happened too. LOL! So much fun with Emily from Table + Hearth!
I don’t even know what to say about this. I only did this to get entered into a contest. I had serious hover hand behind these guys. #awkward
At the Home Depot booth!! These people are the BEST. So generous and know how to have a good time. Loved seeing all of the #DIYHALLOFFAME photos!
So basically FUN FUN FUN. Plus a dash of opportunity. I can’t believe how well I fit in. I felt like I had found my people. I have a lot to learn about DIY, decor and blogging. This conference gave me the confidence to continue to push forward. I can’t thank the ladies who organize this enough. Meeting Sara from Thrifty Decor Chic was certainly a highlight of the weekend. I can’t wait to go back to Haven next year!!
LOVED reading this! I would have MAJOR anxiety going to one of these – just the feeling of putting myself out there like that and wondering what all of my fave bloggy friends would think of me in real life. HUGE props to you for pushing through the fear my friend and SO happy to hear that it was all worth it! Hoping we all get to go next year together!!! xo
I’m so happy that you had an awesome time, Leigh Anne! You look right at home in your pictures, too. How fun to hang out with so many amazing fellow bloggers! I can’t wait to go next year and meet you, my friend! You’ll have to show me the ropes!
P.S. You rock and I love everything that you do!
I’m SOOO proud of you! It is very scary to go to one of those and I’m so glad you did it and had fun. Mandi is my style icon! I would have freaked out 🙂 I can tell the highlight for you was standing with the two guys in gladiator costumes 😉
I’m so proud of you for busting out of your comfort zone in such a big way!! I’m also an awkward small talker and uncomfortable in situations where I don’t know many people. It looks like you had a great time and I hope I can meet you there next year (if not sooner!).
Thank you Amy! I would love to meet you too, I was sad it didn’t work out last time we were in the area.
That is SO awesome you were able to make the most of it! It was SO nice meeting you, see you next year? ;D
Nice meeting you too Corinna! And yes, I will definitely see you next year!!
Oh my friend, reading through your re-cap was like re-living the whole amazing weekend all over again. I’m so glad you mustered up the courage to go – it would not have been the same without you. I agree whole heartedly with your description too — “FUN FUN FUN. Plus a dash of opportunity.” The Haven organizers ought to make that their new marketing slogan! 🙂 Let’s do it again next year!
Ha! Thanks, I’ll email my suggestion right over, heehee!
I loved reading your re-cap and look forward to next year even more! I too have serious anxiety when it comes to walking into a room alone or trying new things. I’m so proud of you for busting out of your comfort zone and doing something completely new. It looks like you had an amazing time and I look forward to hanging out next year!!!
You are so sweet Katie! I can’t wait for Haven next year!!
I enjoyed meeting you at Haven but wish it wasn’t the last night at dinner. Do you remember me? We ate together at the pizza place. Anyway, I thought that your blog group was a blast and I also thought to myself as we were eating that you guys were so nice, the kind of people that I like to hang around.
I also hate to speak in front of a group which is kind of crazy since I’m a teacher. I don’t think twice when the group is kids but when it is adults, I can barely say a word. I even get nervous when it’s a group situation and everyone has to introduce themselves. It’s all I can do to get a word out of my mouth and I’m always secretly afraid that I’ll say something really stupid.
I hope I’ll see you at Haven next year!
Of course I remember you Paula!! I loved getting to know you a little bit over a yummy pizza dinner!! You are so sweet 🙂
Ugh, can we go back now please?! It still blows my mind how as soon as I saw you guys, all my worries completely went away and I could already be myself around y’all. I find that very rarely in my life so it was a pretty amazing experience. <3
I’m an introvert as well, so I totally feel you. After reading all these write ups about Haven, I think I might go next year. It sounds like so much fun!
Um, How did I miss this last year?!? YES! Loved it, love our gang. Loved the whole thing. Let’s do it again, shall we 😉
Yes, let’s!!