On Saturday I did something really exciting! Almost 2 and a half years after writing my very first blog post, I went to my very first blogging conference. Blog Camp Birmingham.
When I started my blog I didn’t anticipate that I’d be writing it more than 2 years later. I was anxious about my pregnancy and wanted an outlet. Somewhere to write down my thoughts and feelings. And a blog seemed like the perfect place; a modern take on the traditional diary.
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The Love of Blogging
Back then, I didn’t realise how much my little virtual journal would become such a huge part of my life. Didn’t expect to look forward to writing my posts so much. To get such a buzz out of taking the photographs, to illustrate my words.
And a couple of years on I can say — with some conviction — that my blog isn’t going to be discarded any time soo. Nor left unwritten or taken down from the World Wide Web.
It’s such a fantastic creative outlet and I just can’t imagine it not being there now.
As my blog has matured, a whole host of other exciting opportunities have begun to occur. The chance to work with interesting brands; to create lovely posts inspired by their products or services.
Incredible Opportunities
We’ve been given the incredible opportunity to go on a little family holiday to Bluestone Resort in Wales. We had a fantastic day out Folly Farm — again as a direct result of my blog.
And I have met some really lovely people. Through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Fathers, mothers, bloggers, non bloggers, bloggers.
Plus I have a group of very special blogging friends who I regularly chat to on-line and — as of yesterday — in person!
So yesterday, I swallowed my nerves (and wow, was I nervous), caught the train and headed off to Blog Camp Birmingham.
The event was run by The Tots100; a network for mum and dad bloggers, with more than 8,000 members, reaching 10m UK readers each year.
Throughout the day I learned about Pro-Blogging, Metrics, Vlogging and how to be Camera Ready.
I met my lovely ‘virtual’ friends.
I chatted to some of the most influential movers and shakers of the UK blogging world. And left with a head full of ideas and inspiration.
I fell into this blogging malarkey completely by chance.
When I signed up for my free WordPress blog and wrote my very first post I had no idea that there was an entire sub-culture that went with it.
And since that first diary entry I’ve discovered new friends — real ones not ‘virtual'(!) —new skills, and a possible new career in the offing.
Amazing what you find when you’re not really looking, isn’t it?
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Ah lovely post. Looks like you had a fab time, yay to meeting your virtual friends. I wonder if I will still be blogging in 2 years?!
#TwinklyTuesday
Xx
It’s funny I hadn’t anticipated that it would be something I’d carry on with. I just thought it was a good outlet for my thoughts and feelings when I was pregnant with the boys. The thought of stopping now makes me a bit sad!! I hope I’ll be blogging in another 2 years too :)
Looks like you had a lovely day, as a newbie its great to hear people still so passionate about blogging after 2.5 years. Im a bit gutted that I didn’t think about it sooner :). Thank you as ever for hosting #TwinklyTuesdays catch you next week xx
It was a lovely day! So nice to put faces to names at last! Would highly recommend going to one :)
Caro it was amazing to meet you and proud to be a new friend xx
Aaah Sarah — it was brilliant to meet you and the other girls!! SO happy to finally meet my fave blogging girlies — and delighted that you’re just as lovely as I imagined xx
It’s really interesting to hear about your blogging journey. I started my blog in February this year for virtually the same reasons – somewhere to channel my thoughts and feelings as the birth of our daughter approached. I’ve just read your first post too! That’s a fun thing about blogs, you can look into the past. Imagine our kids reading them in the future!
Sounds like you had a good fun day at blog camp, I had no idea these things even existed until a couple of weeks ago!
#TwinklyTuesday
Thanks so much David! Good for you, starting your blog — it’s the most satisfying thing isn’t it? Being able to write your thoughts down is brilliantly cathartic. And having interaction from other people is something that a conventional diary just wouldn’t be able to give. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s been written for my boys — to show them in the future. A memory box of our lives.
It certainly helps. I’ve found it helps me to make sense of the things that confound me the most – parenting related or otherwise.
My current plan is to read out some of my blog posts on her wedding day!
Me too! I totally agree! Aah that’s a lovely idea. My plan is to make the posts into a book for them. That way, they’ll always have a record of it :)
I’ve not been blogging as long as you but I am really wanting to attend my first blog conference, I had tickets for an event this weekend that ended up being postponed so am still waiting :(
Oh Ashley — what a shame it’s been postponed! I hope you get to go to your first blog conference soon. I was debating on whether to go to Blog Camp but I’m so glad I bit the bullet and went along!
Love that picture of you and Jess, really glad you won’t be leaving this virtual world of ours any time soon!
Aaah thanks lovely! It was brilliant meeting the girls — I wish we had all been there! Roll on Britmums!! ;) X
Sounds like you had a great time how exciting!! =D
Aaah Jenni – it was SO good! I was really nervous the morning I went but I was so glad that I didn’t give in to the fear and bottle out! ;)
1. I’m so sorry I missed it.
2. I can’t WAIT to meet you at Britmums
3. I’m totes jealous of how stunning you look in yellow stripes!
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1. Me too, I missed you.
2. Me too! AM SO excited to give you a big cuddle. I am loud. And I will squeal when I see you.
3. Thanks lovely :)
xxx
I was following along on Twitter and Instagram om Saturday feeling very envious of what looked like a really fun and informative day. It means I’m looking forward to BritMums Live even more, which will be my blogger event debut. (Okay, I’m terrified …)
It’s funny how your story seems to be such a common one. I fell into blogging out of boredom, because I’ve always liked to write and because it seemed like something fun to dabble in. Eight years later, I have my parenting blog, a TV blog, run a group blog about cycling and write for a national newspaper website. Blogging has become such a big part of my life, almost without me realising it. I can’t imagine not doing it.
It was such a great day Tim — I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’m happy to have gone to a smaller event first and met some of my blogging friends though. I think Britmums will be a different kettle of fish altogether, as it’s so much bigger; I would have been a little too nervous to start with that one. After last week, I’m really looking forward to it now!!
Good for you for facing your fear and jumping in at the deep end! That said, everyone’s in the same boat aren’t they? And the blogging community is so lovely. Look forward to seeing you there!
BlogCamp looks like a lovely day, I was gutted I had to cancel my ticket. So glad you had a great day xx
Aaah such a shame you couldn’t make it! It was a great day, wish you could have been there. Hopefully I’ll see you at Britmums? x