Last week I wrote about some of the best information I took away from the Minnesota Blogger Conference. This week I’m sharing some of my more personal takeaways from that weekend- the ones that were unexpected and not necessarily related to blogging at all.
#1 College days are special and too often taken for granted. This conference was held at Concordia College in St. Paul. It’s a beautiful campus. I was immediately transported back to my own college days both at Bethany and the University of Minnesota. MY LORD was I an idiot back then! If I could do it all again I would do so many things differently. So, if you have a child in college (or if you are the rare young adult who reads this) remind them how lucky they are and to take advantage of that amazing time in life.
#2 I have an amazing husband. NO, this is not news to me, but 2 very specific moments really drove it home to me. The first is when I was asked why he wasn’t there with me. I answered that because he’s not a blogger. But there was still question marks on the face of the person who asked, clearly not understanding how/ why I would go away for a weekend alone. The second was when I was leaving the conference for the day, I sent a quick text to Pat to let him know. He asked how my day went and was SO supportive when I told him about the great day I’d had. He really wants to see me happy and fulfilled in my own way and on my own terms and he loves my independence and I feel the same about him. We are an amazing team I could not ask for a better partner.
#3 I am the most comfortable I have ever been in my own skin. I am perfectly comfortable going to a conference alone. Going out to eat alone. Staying in a hotel alone. I’m comfortable talking to strangers. Speaking up in a group discussion. I have made a ton of progress from a year ago and I’m very proud of that.
#4 There is no place like home! I am truly a small town girl. I have no idea how people live in big cities. I have no idea how I lived in St Paul myself in my (much) younger days. Traffic is one of the most ridiculous things humans have invented and I want no part of it in my daily life.
It’s amazing what you can learn at a conference – especially the things you weren’t expecting!