Disclaimer: This blog post is geared towards bloggers. If you aren’t a blogger, please feel free to read it.
The other day it hit me…I’m not going to Alt. I have a laundry list of reasons why I can’t attend. From missing the original sign-up deadline to just getting in an accident on Saturday that is going to set us back quite a bit – those are just a couple reasons why. I sat there thinking about all the connections that are going to be missed: all the fun parties, all the fashionable outfits that I won’t be able to see, all the inspirational speakers that I want to learn from, and my bloggy friends that I won’t be able to meet. Talk about a downer moment.
[image by Mallory Ming]
The thing that pulled me out of my mini-blogger-breakdown was that I am probably not the only one thinking this. I know a lot of the #BeHappylinkup crew is going [or speaking - YAY Sandra!] to Alt. But, on the other hand, there will be a lot of bloggers that won’t be able to attend. If you are really upset that you are missing out I want to tell you that you are not alone. Not only that but [here's the best part] the amount of fuel and inspiration these bloggers are going to have will trickle into their blogs after Alt and hopefully we can pick up a thing or two that they learned along the way. It is not the end of the world. We will survive.
Instead of letting jealousy, defensiveness, or even pride get in the way – over the next month I challenge you to be proud of where you are with your blog. You still have tons to offer. You are still worth it if you aren’t attending Alt. Don’t get pissed off when you see others having fun at the conference via instagram or twitter. Don’t let this rock your creativity. And please don’t think I am anti-Alt. I would LOVE to attend in 2014 [or win an all expenses-paid giveaway]. But, as 2013 approaches and Alt gets closer I am thrilled for those of you attending, and here for those of you who aren’t, because in the end I’m all about promoting a healthy blogging community.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about Alt, if you are going and if you aren’t how you are coping.
This is a Happiness linkup. Be inspired by the other amazing bloggers and please check their blogs out & join the fun!
13 Responses to Blog Jealousy + Alt
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Oh girl, I am in the same boat! For the SLC one, I would miss a week of classes and be out roughly 500$ just to get there and back and that’s if I magically would have won a ticket.
When I had to admit to myself it’s just not going to happen, I was so incredibly sad. I look at Alt as THE conference for bloggers. I mean, look at how many blogs take off after attending! However, at this point I’m okay with not going. I know so many are going to have inspiration for us, and that one day it will happen. Just have to keep our heads up, and keep working on our blogs in the time being though!
P.s. Thanks for letting me know I wasn’t alone. As silly as it sounds, I was certain that I was the only one feeling this way.
Kory – I wrote this post for exactly this reason. I think of it as THE conference, THE way to make it etc. But you are not alone. I knew once I got outta the funk I was in that us non-attenders needed to rally together as a support system during the craziness the next month will bring. I’m glad we are in this together girl!
Hey girl, I feel you. I was on a conference call when tickets went on sale and they were sold out by the time I got a chance. I have entered every single ticket contest and poured my heart into posts for them. It has been emotional. Since I don’t have to worry about travel or a place to stay, (I live in SLC). I still have the time off of work and I’m still trying to buy or win a ticket, there is one more contest: http://www.brightboldbeautiful.com/2012/12/17/win-a-free-ticket-to-alt/
But at the end of the day, Alt isn’t the end all be all of conferences and attending it certainly doesn’t guarantee blogging success. We have friends going who will share all of the juicy details with us and there are loads of other conferences to attend. After attending two, I feel like the main point is networking and really, you can do that anywhere :)
Have you thought about trying to attend ALT NYC or BlogHer in Chicago? It sucks not to be at the same one as our friends but maybe we can divide and conquer the conference circuit between all of us?
Kristiina, I love your statement about dividing and conquering! Yes I agree – it’s not the end all, although it certainly felt that way when I was in meltdown mode. I’m definitely open to other conferences and excited to see what our friends learn. It’s all about progress and the attitude you keep along the way!
I’m so sad you two aren’t going :( First off, next year I expect to see BOTH you girls there. Second, I PROMISE to bring back tons and tons of blog-y wisdom for you! But come 2014, it’s gonna be a party in SLC!!
Aw Kate you rock! I can’t wait to hear all the juicy details and yes I would love to have a 2014 SLC part-tay!
I would love to attend a conference like Alt, but I’m right there with you. It just wasn’t going to work this year. Maybe I’ll get to go to one someday, but for now I’m happy just reading and seeing instagram posts about it! :)
Alyssa, I feel ya! I would totally love to go but it didn’t fit into the schedule + budget this year. It’s all about working with what ya got.
I’m not going to lie…I get sort of bitter when my Twitter feed fills up with all these bloggers tweeting about these fabulous conferences. It’s so easy not only to get jealous, but to doom my little blog to failure because I always seem to be missing out on that *thing* that will take my blog to the next level.
But then I have to realize that I can’t compare my journey (blogging or otherwise) to anyone else’s. My blog is important because it’s mine and I can’t doubt myself because I miss out on some blogging fun. Maybe this year isn’t my year…but who knows about next year! My blog is reaching the right people at the right time, even if I can’t see it.
Thanks so much for this encouragement. You definitely put into words things I have been thinking the past few months. Glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way sometimes. One day I hope all us Be Happy Linkup ladies get to have one big group hug at a conference in the future!
Another contest :)
http://visualsupply.co/blog/alt-design-summit-giveaway
Oh man look at you girl! I hope you win!
Girl, I’ll sneak you in. Kidding/not kidding.
I totally know how you feel!! I felt the same way last year and that’s what made me determined no matter WHAT to go this year. I completely agree with Kristiina… while these conferences are great places to learn and network, we’re learning and networking all the time! And you know I’ll be sharing every single detail to the point of being annoying.
You’re killin it lately, I’d be pretty effing proud if I were you :) xo
Erin – I will figure out some tricked out yoga pose to get me to fit into a suitcase while also making me weigh only 40 lbs. Sound good?
I cannot wait to hear your stories, like every pic you instagram and favorite all your tweets. You will NOT annoy me, you have my word! I’m so thrilled you are going and agree that we are in a constant state of networking. Thanks for the confidence boost. You rock! xo