BritMums Live: What it was all about

BritMums Live: What it was all about

This weekend I attended my third annual blogging conference, BritMums Live.  If you are not a blogger, you may think this is going to be one of those boring posts about blogging, but it is not.

Well it is, but it’s not.   If that makes sense…?

Ok, let me try to explain.

Essentially, we were all there to listen to expert speakers give us their personal tips and advice on how to build and improve our blogs.  The agenda covered various areas of blogging including creative workshops on photography, writing and video; technical tutorials on wordpress & SEO; a social media crash course; sessions on finding your voice, working with brands and getting paid for it.

There was also the opportunity to pitch a book idea to a literary agent, hear Katie Piper’s incredibly powerful speech ‘Things Get Better’, and have your photo taken with THE Hedwig from the Harry Potter films.

But for me, it turned out not to really be about any of that.

So much has changed in my life since I attended BritMums last year.

But, this post is not about that either.

Well it is, but it’s not.

Bear with me.

In the last year, I have made more and more online friendships through this blog, through reading other parent blogs, and through social media.

Some of these people I have also met in person, and some of them I have not.

You may think online friendships can never mean as much as real life ones.

You would be wrong.

This weekend I hugged, kissed and locked arms with people I was meeting for the first time, but felt like I had known my whole life.

People who have followed my blog this past year came over to share their own stories with me.  Some wanted to know if the Greek Godzilla is as funny in real life (yes) and others asked after my health.  A few wanted to talk gluten-free, some commented on my shorter hair, and almost everyone mentioned wine.

I was so touched by the kindness and generosity of this amazing community that there were moments when I felt so completely overwhelmed, I had to stop and catch my breath.

A community that I originally only felt part of by default; but this weekend it totally stole my heart.

To close the conference, BritMums always ask a select group of bloggers to stand up and read a post out loud.  As people stood up to share their happiest, funniest and most heartbreaking moments from the past year, I laughed and sobbed as though they were my own.

When it was time to honour Kerry, a fellow blogger who tragically passed away last year, I reached for more tissues.

Following a touching video tribute to this amazing woman, who I sadly never had the pleasure of meeting before she was taken from this world, one of her favourite songs – Firework by Katy Perry – was played.  Within a few bars, people were up on their feet, and even though I had not known her personally, I stood up and belted that song out with the rest of them, and we all clapped and cried and held tightly onto the person next to us.

It was one of the saddest and most exhilarating experiences of my life.

These friendships all started online, but they could not be more real to me.

I came away feeling stronger, better, inspired, humbled and proud.

This community makes a difference.  We are all a part of it and it is a part of us.

It is a part of me.

And, that’s what this post is about.

*****

You can follow me on Twitter @grenglishblogfind me on Facebookand on Pinterest as Grenglish

 

36 Comments

  1. June 23, 2013 / 10:13 PM

    A wonderful post, really captures the essence of the weekend. I saw you from a distance a few times but never got to say ‘hi’. Glad you had as good a time as me…a Britmums Live virgin!

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 4:54 PM

      Hi Suzanne, am so sorry we did not get a chance to say Hi! It was a crazy couple of days but we must make sure we meet at BML 2014!

  2. June 23, 2013 / 10:13 PM

    What a touching, heartfelt post. It is always so amazing seeing you and I couldn’t agree more about feeling part of this vital, supportive, brilliant community. I am so sad I missed Kerry’s tribute but I feel I was there now, reading your post. Lots of love to you and look forward to seeing you again soon xxx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 4:55 PM

      Was so wonderful to see you again – let’s put another date in soon xxxx

  3. June 23, 2013 / 10:13 PM

    *weeps a bit* love this.
    you are one of my faves on line and off line.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:06 PM

      you too, was lovely to meet you properly and have a bit of a chat x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:11 PM

      back atcha lovely xx

  4. June 23, 2013 / 10:19 PM

    Just read your post, and having heard about this event through a few of the new “friends” I have met since starting my blog last month, was super curious to hear more about what it entailed. It sounds like it was not only informative, but fulfilling. I would be dishonest if I didn’t admit that I an envious. Wish there were similar events here in the states. Perhaps there are, and I delve into this world of blogging I will hear about them.
    Cheers!
    Meg

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:13 PM

      Hi Meg, there’s a huge blogging conference in the US called BlogHer – do check it out. If not, maybe we can tempt you over to London for BritMums 2014 😉

  5. June 23, 2013 / 10:29 PM

    *cries a bit more* It was so lovely to meet you, I hope to chat more next year. xxx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:14 PM

      Yes, me too Emma! Look forward to chatting more online until then 🙂 xx

  6. June 23, 2013 / 10:30 PM

    lovely post. I was there but had to leave early on saturday so missed the keynote at the end- but I watched it via live streaming and I was crying even watching over the internet.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:16 PM

      HI Melissa, it was so emotional wasn’t it! Look forward to meeting you next year 🙂

  7. June 23, 2013 / 10:48 PM

    ah you write the best things. You are a classy writer lady, as well as a sausage eater! Lovely to see you there and spend so much time together 🙂

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:18 PM

      Congratulations to you also on your award, speaking and keynote. It was a real treat to be there with you xx

  8. June 23, 2013 / 11:14 PM

    You have said it so well. Lovely to meet you and look forward to seeing you again next year 🙂

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:19 PM

      You too lovely! Sorry it took us right until the end to meet 🙂

  9. June 24, 2013 / 12:16 AM

    What a lovely, succinct post that summed it up so well. Haven’t had time to write mine, but no need! My only sadness was that it was so huge, that I found it hard to find the bloggers I’ve got to know over the year, and came home with some sadness at that. Have suggested they hold it in hotel next time so we can connect more easily with each other – and not all rush off after Awards as we’re starving hungry! Thanks, shame I didn’t meet you, S

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 5:23 PM

      Such a shame we didn’t meet. There was so many people I wanted to spend more time with but as soon as I found them, someone else would distract one of us and then I’d lose them in the sea of people again. I found it difficult to recognise people at first, so spent the first day just looking at peoples boobs, sorry badges!!

  10. June 24, 2013 / 12:32 AM

    So absolutely brilliantly put.
    I look forward to getting to know you over the next year.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 8:03 PM

      Me too, very much so!

  11. June 24, 2013 / 7:33 AM

    That Katy Perry song is still running through my head. It was a very uplifting ending, and I will remember for a very long time turning around and see a room of 500 bloggers on their feet singing their hearts out. It was amazing. x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 8:04 PM

      It was truly amazing, I will never be able to listen to that song again without thinking of Kerry and BritMums. Such a wonderful conference again this year, thank you for all that you do x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 8:05 PM

      Bloody love you back!

  12. June 24, 2013 / 3:51 PM

    What an incredible post that sums it all up. So glad I got to meet you even if it was briefly. Gutted I missed the end due to running off to feed the baby. Look forward to seeing you again x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 8:06 PM

      I know, it was so crazy but we must meet properly, hopefully soon! Think you can watch the end online somewhere, there’ll be a link on BritMums xx

      • June 24, 2013 / 9:56 PM

        Sounds like a plan! Thanks, I’ll have a look for it. x

  13. June 24, 2013 / 7:31 PM

    Wasn’t it wonderful? I’m still on a high about it I think. Bring on 2014

    • Grenglish
      Author
      June 24, 2013 / 8:07 PM

      Me too ! I still keep bursting into tears whenever I think about it. Just wonderful x

  14. June 24, 2013 / 8:33 PM

    Beautiful post! I know some of my closest friendships have come about through meeting people online… sometimes you share so much with the people you meet they become the best friends you could ever hope for. Sorry we didn’t get chance to say hi this year, maybe next!

  15. June 24, 2013 / 8:33 PM

    *reaches over a prods* yep your real, your keeper. thank you for being you x

  16. June 24, 2013 / 10:33 PM

    Beautiful post, this year was my first BritMums and I was so moved be the whole experience too. I’m really sorry to have missed you – I think this is the second time our paths have crossed now – will have to pin you down in Sept. xx

  17. Sonya Cisco
    June 25, 2013 / 12:13 PM

    I came away proud to be part of such an amazing community, just wonderful!

  18. June 25, 2013 / 4:14 PM

    I just love your posts and your writing – and you hit the nail on the head, this weekend was all about community and friendship. I had an amazing time. (already bought my ticket for next year). X.

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