I just returned from the beautiful Canyons Resort in Park City, UT where I was fortunate enough to attend the first annual Evo ’10 Conference (Foodies – I know you want to think that Evo has something to do with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but it is really The Evolution of Women in Social Media).
For those of you who are getting ready to head to the BlogHer 2010 Conference in New York, or for those of you who are returning from the Evo ’10 conference, you might find yourself with an overwhelming feeling of trepidation and exhilaration.
When I went to the BlogHer conference in Chicago last year, I came back feeling motivated and discouraged, all at the same time. Motivated because I had the opportunity to listen and learn from some extremely talented people in the world of blogging. Discouraged because I realized in that one weekend how much of a little fish in a huge sea of other bloggers I was. It was such an eye opening moment for me when I realized there were thousands of people who cared that much about their blog to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to network and nourish it at a blogging conference.
I will be honest. My first day at Evo, surrounded by Mommy / Lifestyle bloggers, many of whom had no clue who I was, I felt the same way. Why bother blogging? What do I want out of all of this? At close to 4 years of blogging, what is my intention and where do I plan on taking things? What have I accomplished? I listened, I learned, I felt and I, after day 1, was ready to give up blogging and go home. Seriously.
Day 2 arrived and I listened, I learned, I felt and it hit me… I blog for more than just recognition. I blog for more than just money.I blog for more than traffic, comment and stat numbers. I blog because I am blessed to have a platform that has allowed me to leave a legacy of stories, recipes, photographs and memories for my family. I blog and attend blogging conferences because, through the power of the internet and a simple little thing I call Dine & Dish, I have had the opportunity to create a “Blogging Sisterhood” (as my Evo roomie, Jessica, from Momma’s Gone City called it) with ladies who I am proud to know, who “get it” and whom I know I will be lifelong friends with. I blog because of the personal connection. I blog because of you…those reading my posts and supporting me along the way. I blog because I know that deep down, many of us have similar stories and through sharing those stories, we can love and support each other and make it through life a little easier. In reality, I blog out of a big thing called love.
The Evo conference ended up being an amazing experience. I can’t thank my sponsor, Melaleuca, enough for making it possible for me to go. I have come back home to my family and can honestly say I have been impacted and changed for the better.
For more pictures of the Evo ’10 conference that feature some of your favorite food bloggers, head over to this photo album and this photo album on my Facebook Page! You can find 2 different albums capturing all the fun.
Since the most fun and amazing closing conference party was sponsored by Bush’s Beans, I found it only appropriate to share a recipe with you from the side of a Bush’s Beans can called Italian Style Rice and Beans. This recipe makes a delicious and easy side dish that you can put on the table in just a matter of a few minutes.
Italian Style Rice and Beans (from Bush’s Beans)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
1 can (15.5 oz) Bush’s Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed (or Cannellini)
2/3 cup instant rice
¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning or ½ teaspoon dry basil
Fresh pepper to taste
Place all ingredients in medium saucepan. Cook 3-4 minutes, covered, over medium-high heat. Uncover pan and continue cooking 2-3 minutes, or until rice is tender. Dish is slightly saucy when completely cooked.
I have never been to a bloggers conference Kristen but I can imagine how it would feel. I understand where you are coming from. I often feel overwhelmed by the success of the newer blogs. I started blogging 5 years ago – for me, and some times I need to remind myself of that. I’m not here for money or recognition or a book deal. I’m here firstly, to record my recipes for my children, and secondly to raise awareness of early detection of cancer. The fabulous people I’ve met along the way is the bonus. Blogging exploded into a money making venture for people recently and the whole scene has changed.
I was so thrilled to meet you at evo’10. I’m glad you were able to steal away for the weekend. I was also touched by the honesty and sincerity in your post and grateful you walked away feeling inspired and with a better understanding of the “why” behind your blogging. I loved the reasons you listed, which caused me to reflect on my own purpose and objectives a little deeper.
Thanks for coming to evo’10. Soooo hope you’ll make the trek back for evo’11!
xoxo
That resort looks amazing! Wow! Such a beautiful place. Glad you had a fabulous time!
Sounds like a great conference Kristen. I’ve actually been mulling over the “why” question recently too. As a relatively new blogger on the block, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to achieve when I started out, but have come to a similar conclusion. I blog for love, for fun and for the camaraderie. Thank you for the the stories.
That bean salad looks like a great super quick meal.
Thank you for these thoughts. I also wonder sometimes why I blog… it is indeed a lot of work. But I appreciate your insights.
I would love to attend a blogger conference someday. I would love to meet other bloggers and I know I would learn so much.
I just started blogging about 16 months ago and started blogging to have something for me. A way to share my recipes and thoughts. Not about the money or the recognition! It’s a hobby for me!
Looks like a beautiful site for a conference!!!
I felt the same way! So good to see it put in words my one more experienced than me.
Yummy recipe!
i am so happy you changed your mind about giving up! i love reading your blog 🙂
Well said, friend. You are so good! And the recipe looks good, too.
YOU were one of my highlights! Love ya!
I really enjoyed hanging out with you at evo! Come back and visit Utah anytime-seriously! I can’t wait to see you again. Love your salad too!
It’s tough to navigate this world of blogging – what do we want from it, how do we get there and how do we maintain balance. I just started blogging in January and probably the thing I’m struggling most with is – which conferences do I attend?
I was fortunate to be in Salt Lake about 2wks before the evo’10 conference – met Maria & Josh from TwoPeasandtheirPod but didn’t have a clue about this conference until I was home. I’ve already purchased tix for the BlogHer Food ’10 in October so wasn’t sure about spending the $$$ for another trek across the US. There are TONS of other events/conferences to attend and am trying to figure out how it all works – as you said, I’m a pretty small fish in a very BIG pond.
I so appreciate your honesty which is one of the reasons I’m a fan & a regular reader – you’re correct in that we’re all connected in some way or another in this big world – grateful to have your insight!
I think we’re all small fish, in our own way. The only difference is, some realize it and some don’t. Something to be said for going through life oblivious, though. Research shows that self-delusion is one of the keys to success.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2008/02/29/segments/92437
I also haven’t been to a blogging conference and feel the same way when I do meet other bloggers. I am a very small fish in the big blogging sea, but it’s something I enjoy doing for me and if people want to read what I ramble on about then that’s just a bonus. 🙂 Keep doing what you are doing, you are a fabulous writer and you were one of the few blogs I read before jumping in and thinking I might be able to be apart of this wonderful community.
I wasn’t even there, but you explained *out loud* how I feel many days after just starting my blog 3 months ago! I’m glad to know that I’m indeed not alone and that the same conclusions that you came to are exactly what I’ve felt in my heart too!
EVO sounds like it was an amazing experience. I have yet to attend a conference, but I am super excited about BlogHer Food this October! The recipe for Beans and Rice looks simple and delicious!
You nailed it on the feelings. It’s funny what goes through our minds as we listen to all the great stories the other bloggers and panelists have to share. It’s a lot to think about. But I’m so happy to meet you and and the other girls, the “sisterhood”…that’s what pulls it all together for me.
I can’t tell you enough, loved meeting you and had a blast! Hope to see you soon!
After suspending a, by all accounts, successful blog to begin anew with a little place just for me, I feel that blogging—like all endeavors—should be something you are passionate about, and I know you are. But as with any passion, the fire needs a bit of stoking from time to time and conferences are great tools for doing just that. If you don’t walk away from a conference inspired, revived and renewed—you need to find a new conference! But in this case, it sounds like EVO was a winner 🙂
Yum! I like the italian twist and this recipe looks so easy. Will have to try! 🙂
You are an excellent writer! I am glad that you have chosen this hobby which as you put it can be done in a workish sort of way. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and miss it when you skip a day. I know why you started and where it has taken you. I know I speak for many others when I say don’t think about stopping. Enjoy and know that you may be a small fish, but you are touching many lives. AND your photography is stunning, Your picture of the salmon from the EVO conference was beautiful and last week I wanted to get a spoon and dip into the strawberry gelato. YUM!
Loved hearing that I’m not the only one feeling a bit overwhelmed! Great insights into the blogging world.
Kristen, I’m glad you found the inspiration to keep blogging because, for one, thoroughly enjoy visiting your blog. It was great to meet you – you have a very kind and down-to-earth spirit. Beautiful, simple salad!
So glad we had you there! Amazing photos! See you at BlogHer!
I’ve been navigating through similar feelings lately; so nice to see it put into words here so eloquently!
great post! i definitely feel overwhelmed and want to give it up at times!
You definitely hit on some key points. I was wondering if it would feel that way to go to a conference. If it did by chance make me feel discouraged would I stop? No, because I started Tickled Red as a way to help me focus on all of the little things I love about my life and to let my family & friends know that I was doing okay. To let them know that even though I was down at the moment that I would find something else possibly even better than before, in the meantime I would still be having fun 🙂 I have also made some connections which honestly I never ever imagined that I would. That in itself makes it worth it. Thank you so much for sharing with us about your trip and what you took away from your experience 🙂
PS: Love the recipe…Italian is my favorite but I am biased.
Great post! It’s nice to hear someone else be so honest about something I struggle with daily. Looks like you had a blast out West!
You took the words right out of my mouth. I am ready to get back to “work” but overwhelmed at the same time. My brain is so saturated with information that I can’t even process it all yet. It was such a fabulous time and I’m so glad you came. I will give myself a little pat on the back for finally convincing you. Persistence pays off! 😉 Can you believe we’ll be getting together again in just a little over a week? I CAN’T WAIT! And I’m glad this time we’ll be focusing on relaxing, cooking, and eating instead of all the ins and outs of blogging. *kisses*
I’ve never gone to a blogging conference, but after reading your post, maybe I shouldn’t!? – Gina
I hope I can go next year, what a great experience, you’ll have to give me some pointers on how to approach companies about sponsorship. I just got back from a blogging family thing in Chicago and I was thinking the whole time, why am I here? We were the youngest have the youngest kid, I’d been blogging the least, no one knows who the heck I am, and I’m around all these mommy bloggers that have been at it for years, with real blogging jobs, columns, and much more impressive credentials than I’ll ever have. I came back and just thought I must have been a last minute fill in and I’ll just give it up, but I thought the same thing, I need to continue journaling (sp?) the food and family events for myself, my son and my family, its the right thing to do for our family and I LOVE other bloggers, the sweetest women in any profession/hobby or whatever you want to call it!
This is such an incredibly inspiring post. I often have this experience where I wonder why I actually care so much about blogging. But then I realize it’s because of the fabulous people I’ve met along the way, and how much it nourishes my soul to read all of your stories and to write my own.
The beans look good. But the words sound even better.
Thank you so much for this post!! I’ve been feeling really lost in the blog world – I just need to always remember that it is so much more than stats and comments!!
Your singing my song Kristen — blogging isn’t about stats or comments it’s just a lovely venue where we can express ourselves creatively. I love blogging so much that last week I started another blog “what’s new, what’s next” so that I can help other bloggers easily find information and drawn inspiration from media resources. I’m hoping that this blog becomes ” The Drudge Report” for Fine Living. Not sure if it will work but hey it’s at least worth a shot and the focus isn’t on who’s zooming who on the world political stage.
Sounds like an excellent conference! So glad you came out of it refreshed and raring to go!
Excellent post, Kristen. I think what amazed me the most when I began blogging was the amount of time it actually takes. I am so impressed that young women take the time to share their busy lives with each other. And I was so pleased to read about your experiences at the conference and then read the comments above. Everyone has a different reason for blogging. When I was raising a family, I don’t know if I would have taken the time. (even if we had computers, which we didn’t!)
It is indeed a very big pond with a lot of (we) small fish.
It definitely is a great feeling to be with others that “get it,” isn’t it? Are you going to BlogHer in NYC?
great post, I love blogging beacsue I control what I put out, all my fav foods and my thoughts, refreshing to have a place to express my self I have not also attended a confrence and not sure if I can at least not now, were are super busy…love your recipe, as alwasy great eats
sweetlife
love this post!!! new friends i make every day in this beautiful world of blogging makes me do this over and over againg.. non stop… feel the exact same wayy as yers twards blogging.. 🙂 very good experience and i wish i cud attend such a conference one day!! love the italian style rice and beans here!!
cheers and have a great weekend!!
Great post, I have felt so overwhelmed since I started food blogging last Dec. You’re right, it’s all about the love and the sharing. I have so many amazing blogs since I have started and started on twitter. I love it! Thanks for this great post.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time and learned a lot. You’ve touched on a lot of points that come to my mind when I think about the reasoning behind blogging for me. It’s nice to hear about other people’s passion. I’ve met some wonderful people in the past year and a half. It truly is a wonderful experience and feeling to share with others. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Why blog? Good question and I think we all feel this way from time to time. But then you get a nice comment or a family member or friend makes one of the recipes you shared and loved it. Plus, I get inspiration from blogs like yours.
It was my sisiter-in-law, Aggie (Aggie’s Kitchen), who is in some of your pictures above, that encouraged me to start mine a year ago. We all have our own voice, big or small in this special community. Keep up what you do!
I have never try a Italian Style food.And,I also haven’t been to a blogging conference .