Today I'm going to the Sydney Bloggers Festival. Such an easy sentence to write, not such an easy thing to do. Well, for me at least.
In theory, I'm really looking forward to it and I know I'll get so much out of it. In practise, I'm scared stiff. This is exactly the kind of situation I'm terrible at. As you may have read before, I'm shy. A large group situation like this is the thing that terrifies me the most. Where I'm expected to introduce myself and small talk with people. I tend to get a bit lost in the crowd at these things and lose my voice (not literally of course). I would actually feel less scared if I was scheduled to get up and give a talk - which is kind of crazy I know.
I've already cancelled the babysitter and resigned myself to not going. Then Skip gave me a talking to and said I'd regret it if I didn't go. He was absolutely right. I've used up every lame excuse I can think of, but it's time to suck it up and go.
So here we go....
Edited to add: I went. I didn't die. I did have an incident trying to buy a bus ticket and literally ran into Rob Oakeshott, but I survived. I actually had a great time (of course). Met a lot of lovely people, who love blogging as much as I do. Sometimes you can face your fears and realise they're not as bad as you imagine. x
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What an honest post, one which I can totally relate to.
ReplyDeleteYour line about preferring to get up and speak to an audience vs make small talk really resonated.
I can facilitate full-day workshops for hundreds with great energy and enthusiasm but then feel clunky when it comes to the small talk chit-chat over lunch breaks.
I'm sure that there will be MANY MANY wonderful elements of this experience and it will be terrific to read about them.
Hugs to you,
Felicity x
Just go. And choose three people to speak to. Just three. Three people who've commented here or those whose blog you love and who you've resonated with. Focus on that and the rest will come. Hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteI am exactly like you.
ReplyDeleteIt's more than shyness for me though.
I won't tell you to "just go" or that "you're being silly" because i know how big it is, but i will say that if you do go it will be one more time you fought against those feelings and you will win because it doesn't matter that it was hard as hell for you, you still did it, and that is what makes you a winner.
Goodluck!
Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHarness the fear and nerves into positive energy.
You will be fabulous, I know it!
I hear you. I understand that it is difficult but guess what you are gonna have a great time there. Have a great day. all the best xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat's so fantastic that you sucked up your fears and went along anyway. I would feel very proud of myself indeed if I were you. So glad that you had a great day! x
ReplyDeleteIt was great to catch up again, Corinne. See you at the conf.xx
ReplyDeleteGood on you for going along - it's so great to connect with other bloggers in real life.
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