It’s 9:45am on a Tuesday. I’ve locked myself in this dark bedroom, trying to recover from this wretched virus. In an hour and a half we’re all due to see our GP because God help me if I have another sleepless night with asthmatic, spewy twins.
I have still yet to unpack my bags from PB Event 2013.
And here I am, blogging.
Priorities, right?
But as always, the Problogger keynote presentation was so inspirational, I was going to burst with so much emotion. Seriously. How can one’s words be so moving, you feel like a rocket ready to take off to the moon and beyond.
Trey Ratcliffe was one speaker who left that effect on me. In fact, I was sobbing like an idiot.
Among the many poignant points he made about blogging, it was his encouragement to face your fears and to never be afraid to break the mould in speaking your truth.
I know for myself, in the early days of blogging, I wrote very differently to how I do today.
I can’t say I never spoke my truth. But the depths of retrospect were definitely still at the skim of the surface.
And while I never consciously thought so back then, I’m sure I had a fear of what people would think of what I had to say.
But as Trey reminded me, this blogging gig – beyond anything – is a journey of self-discovery.
Your blog is like a shovel, you find yourself digging deeper and deeper into the search of your passions; finding how to perfectly articulate deep, complex emotions; figuring out who out there not only “gets you” but 100% truly has your back.
And yeah, sometimes people won’t like you’re truth. In fact, they may rob your words, even steal your entire blog away from you.
But don’t think for a minute, you won’t survive the hate, angst and vitriol.
“Don’t be concerned with what others think of you. People who want to be in your world will softly come in…create your own circle of love…”
For those against you, there will no doubt be double, triple fold who support you.
Having come home to a sickly family, with early morning trips to the children’s hospital and just dealing with a generally shitty time after an awesome 2 days at a conference, I’m overwhelmed by the sweet messages from all of you, telling me and my family to take care; that you’re all sending hugs and well wishes.
And I know, in fact I’m certain, I have my circle of love.
Sharing this on Essentially Jess’ IBOT and the ladies at The Lounge
I think Trey is just such an insightful person – he really gave me so much to think about. I’d like to think I am always real and maybe I care too LITTLE about what people think of me, but then again NAH, WHO CARES. Your boys, my dad’s heart attack, they all serve to remind us of what is important in life, family, love and having a supportive network of awesomeness xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..The phone call that put things in perspective at the ProBlogger Training Event
How lovely. It was definitely a journey this conference. I really hope that your children as feeling better soon.
Eleise recently posted..Letting Go of all my excuses!
oh Grace! not what you wanted to come home to after such a full on weekend. I hope you’re all better sooner much rather than later. Can’t believe you were 10 minutes away and I didn’t get to meet you! next time….xo
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..A to Z of Me: Part III
Oh Grace, I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time at the moment. Wishing you all get well soon.
Lovely post. Your exhaustion and illness hasn’t taken that from you! x
Emily recently posted..Mother guilt relents
I hope you and your boys start to feel better soon Grace. I can’t wait to hear more of your time at the conference.
Sam Stone recently posted..And all that jazz….
I’m so happy to be included in your circle of love. Huge YES to that!
I am sooooo tired still and I have a sick girl to tend to as well – fortunately just one. You take care of yourself and your beautiful boys xx
kirri recently posted..What an eating disorder taught me about being truly nourished
Thanks for sharing those beautiful words Grace. Sounds like I’d bloody better get to this event next year. More wellness wishes are floating your way…..
Thanks, my dear!
And you definitely have to make your way there next year!
Hope everyone in your household is getting better. I was like you, bursting with the inspiration that Trey and others shared. I loved his and your thoughts on the bloggin within your circle of love, and you know it ripples outwards when you do. I really enjoyed meeting you and feel grateful for such a caring and sharing blogging community.
Yes, I am very honoured to be apart of your circle. We may not catch up as much as we’d like, we may only meet once every year but when we do it’s like we’ve never been apart. You my dear are super awesome! Love you muchly.
Penny recently posted..Will the Problogger Conference Change WF4K?
I’m sorry you came home to sick kids, but glad you had a wonderful time at Problogger
Bronnie recently posted..Back to reality
Sending healthy vibes and lots of love your way – hoping I can finally catch up with you in person at the next blogging conference. Take care Grace x
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Gluten Free Me
Big hugs to you… hope you all get better soon. Hope you are in bed early tonight, we are!
Seana – Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel recently posted..Fertility And Age in Australian Women – The Statistics and The Stories
I am so sorry to hear that you are all so ill! Yucko! Poor things, especially you!
Every time I hear about people meeting up as these things I want to cry with FOMO and also FOBLB – that’s fear of being left behind. It’s sounds so inspiring and uplifting! I want me some of that! You take care Grace. xx
Lee recently posted..week 10, 11, 12 marathon training reports – B grade student
I hope your babies and you recover soon, just the last thing you need at the end of a full on weekend! I loved listening to Trey, I found his words so inspirational and motivating. My favourite was ‘Be more awesome’. Words to live by!
xx
Lisa Barton-Collins recently posted..VIP Bar School at Fix Bar, Hilton Surfers Paradise
Grace! What an amazing post! So true, whatever negative comments you can get, it doesn’t matter because what really matters is the people who love you and will always support you. I love that quote about the circle of love.
Rita recently posted..Books, Books, Books
I wasn’t at the conference, but it’s been something I’ve been thinking about for a little while now anyway; just being who you are and not caring so much about the repercussions. I think it’s one of those things that is scary before you do it, but exhilarating once you’re living it
EssentiallyJess recently posted..It’s This Time of Year #IBOT
I love hearing inspirational words like this – glad you had a great time at Problogger – I’m jealous on the other side of the country – just that bit too far and pricey. Hope you had yours recover quickly.
Hello from #teamIBOT
Big hugs and wishes of a speedy recovery to all. And just quietly, I think it should be illegal to look as beautiful as you do in that photo of you and your boys x
Cybele @ BlahBlah recently posted..Caramelised Beetroot & Carrot Salad with Za’atar Spiced Goat Cheese
Lovely idea (circle of love) and I hope you are all making swift recovery. Unpacking has no joy – just leave it…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Censorship, Friendship and Facebook
I’m so sorry your kids have been so sick. It is hell. Hell on earth. I had my first experience with really nasty comments and I was SICK to the stomach for a few days and then went, fuck it. Who are these people anyway? BRING IT ON BITCHES! People on the interwebs can’t really hurt us. Unless we let them! SO SO wanting to go to PB next year. DESPERATELY!
Sarah@Slapdash Mama recently posted..Lounge. ProBlogger. Triple J.
Beautiful post, lovely one. So happy to have spent a little bit of time with you. Love ya! Kx
Kimberley M recently posted..Problogger. An alliteration. And 10 things.
The blog is exactly like a shovel. Well said. Hope your lovely family is on the mend by now X
Robomum recently posted..Sunday Night
Grace, I hope the boys are much better now. That’s a wonderful message you took away from PB, so very important to know who really matters.
Take care of you all xx
It was so awesome to meet you! There is always going to be people who don’t like hearing our words, even if they aren’t truth and that is perfectly ok. There are people that I don’t like so it’s ridiculous to think that everyone is going to love me and my words. When it comes down to it though..wouldn’t the world be a pretty boring place if we all loved the same things.
I hope you and your boys get better soon xx
Tegan recently posted..Duty of Care
Hope you are all on the road to recovery and over your unwellness. Poor little fellas, and you too. It is hard coming to terms with the fact that not everyone will like everything we say but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be said. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
Rhianna recently posted..Things I Know
Wow. Thats some tragedy I must say.Why don’t you just say your srceet man? In a coffee meeting. Dherai bhayo yo poem soem.
What a horrible thud back to reality. BUt you’re so right. This blogging circle is such a wealth of love and support – it’s got me through some stuff, and I can’t leave it even though it’s so hard to fit it all in. The BEST people live here. I hope it’s a quick mend for you and your little guys. Big hugs. xxx
Kim recently posted..Pirates. Life. Stuff. Arrrrrr
Haha. I woke up down today. You’ve cheered me up!
Well done article that. I’ll make sure to use it wisely.
Kids just have the best timing, don’t they? But in a way it would have been worse if they’d been sick while you were away, because you would have worried yourself sick about them! I love your writing style because you have a way of making things simple and bringing the important stuff in to focus. Keep telling your truth Mama Grace – and I’ll keep reading xx
Rachel recently posted..Confessions of a Teenage Dirtbag: Part 1
Hi there… As I said in my Diet Schmiet blog I have SO much to process from Problogger I just need to find the headspace to do so! Those kinds of conferences often have an undesired impact on me as I come away feeling confused and less-enthused!
Deb
Deborah recently posted..The sequel and the spoiler alert
Ahh – this was boost I’d been looking for all month! Hope your little guys feel better (by now because I’m so behind on reading) – and cheers to the Circle of Love.
Nami recently posted..Half or Bi?
Gosh Grace, so very true…people will come and go but those that remain are worth their weight in gold! And Yes Pbevents rock – I so wanted to go to this one but maybe next time 🙂
I guess when one is a personal blog they share from the heart, and those that support each other know how scary it is to hit the publish button.
Blogging for me is like my personal space where I can find others who also feel the same.
Its where I can be me and find others who like what I have to say! And where I can find the real person behind all the layers that I put up in my day to day life 🙂
Lisa Wood recently posted..Shout It From The Rooftops