On Finding Bliss

If we sat down for a coffee date, I'd tell you this week I've been processing and processing and processing. I got back from a wonderful blogging conference, blissdom, this past Sunday. I'd share with you that even though I went into the conference with little expectations, I was blown away by the experience.

I reminded that you that flying is simply not my thing. I have unexplained fears about being 1000s of miles up in the sky. But I'd be sure to share how thankful I was that 6 of us attending the conference flew together so we all sat in two rows and laughed, giggled, and talked about blogs the whole trip. My sweet friend Kate and my sorority sister BA sat in my room and did an amazing job to keep me super distracted and entertained the whole trip.

I'd even confess to you all the silly things I worried about before I left for blissdom. It went something like this:

What if no one likes me?
What if I don't fit in?
What if I don't make the connections I hope to make?
What if everyone seems to be more important than me?
What if what I'm doing doesn't matter?

But you know what, blissdom surprised me. I felt like from the moment I walked into the door, I was overwhelmed with love. The Bliss Chicks had created a conference that was lavished in love. My mind was put at ease right away, and my heart was overcome with the out pour of love. I got to hug so many online friends in real life and make a lot of new connections. Did I mention, there was a lot of love.

I could go on for hours about what I learned in the sessions and how it gave me insight and changed my my heart about things. In fact, I'm still processing a lot of it! But first, I'd probably tell you my favorite parts of it. I was so encouraged by my three roomies: Hayley, Katy, and Kate. We had late night chats and giggles, and they offered up a lot of inspiration and love. I couldn't of asked for a better set of girls to room with! There were so many moments where I found myself sharing my hopes and dreams, and was overwhelmed with the encouragement I received back. There was a safe place for me to be 100% myself, and boy was I....pink cowgirl boots and all!

 

  

 

When I left Blissdom, I felt beyond inspired. There have been dreams that have been sitting in my heart for years now. Things I have wanted to do so badly, but I kept putting off, and off, and off. Blissdom gave me this hope, faith, and inspiration that anything is possible. I heard stories of people overcoming the odds, people switching jobs, and people chasing their dreams with all their heart. It reignited a flame in me, and made me come back and want to chase hard after my dreams. It gave me a community that has supported me to no end, and it gave me the courage and bravery to step out in faith.



xoxo,

WIWW: Blissdom Edition

I just recently returned from blissdom, which was an incredibly, life altering experience. I feel like it far exceeded my expectations and I walked away from so much inspiration and encouragement. I'm going to blog more about it later to share all my experiences and what I learned from it.

I laugh a little bit in hindsight with how much I crammed into my suitcase to the ratio of what I actually ended up wearing. I'm a overpacker to the extreme, please tell me I'm not alone. I had to wear my pink cowgirl boots on the flight home due to the fact that it was either that or leave them behind.

 

The hotel at Blissdom was huge, like really really huge, so I had to tailor my outfits accordingly. Not to mention, a part of the hotel felt like a hot muggy jungle and then two feet later it would be like an ice box.

xoxo,

On Leaving The Comfort Zone

I love my comfort zone. I mean absolutely love staying within the confines of my comfort zone. I'm type A by nature, so I'm a list maker and planner. I plan, and plan, and plan. I even have a plan for the plan. I used to be a wallflower although no one believes me when I tell them that. I was so painfully shy as a child that I spent a lot of my younger years hiding behind my parents' legs. In fact, I was so painfully shy that I hated when my class sang "who stole the cookies from the cookie jar" in kindergarten because it meant getting called on.

When I was about 13, I came out of my shell. I started becoming more outgoing and pushing myself every so slightly out of my comfort zone. And slowly but surely, baby step after baby step, I let go off my shy self and became the outgoing person that I am today. I love talking to strangers that I meet at target, the grocery store, on the running trails, etc. I thrive off of hearing others' stories and getting to know them better. And the girl who could barely sing the cookie jar song can't seem to shut up now.

You would think that with an outgoing personality that I would love to attend conferences, meet new people, and get to spend so much time surrounded by strangers. But the truth is, large events are far from my comfort zone. They end up meaning many unexpected things, loads of people I've never met, and typically require a plane trip to get there; which is one of my greatest fears.

On Thursday morning, I'll wake up early, board a plane, and head off to Nashville; a city I've always dreamed of going to in order to attend the Blissdom Conference. From the moment I leave my house, I'll be venturing out of my comfort zone into the land of the unknown and the unexpected

While, I know this trip will be far from my comfort zone, it'll also be good for me. I'll get challenged, pushed in a good direction, and make some friends along the way. I'm somewhat nervous but ten times more excited for the experience. I know as far as it'll be out of my comfort zone, I know I'll look back at this experience as a good one. So here is to facing fears and flying and being open to new opportunities!

sweater: lilly

jeans: old navy

shoes: target

hair bow: caroline g

sign: allora handmade

xoxo,