Blogs are a lot like shoes. Some practically teach and inform, offering sensible data for the reader to digest and apply, like Simple Mom, Alpha Mom, and I Heart Faces.
Other blogs have a well-defined niche and a lovely, inspiring focus, like frugal lifestyle blogger Jen, or the home blogs – Kimba and my Blissdom roomates: My sister The Nester, Melissa, and Sandy. Their creative ideas for how to make the home you have right now become the home you’ve always wanted leave me feeling empowered and encouraged to make small changes in the way I think about my home that bring about rewarding results for my family.
Still other blogs are a mix of both: practical because they offer products for sale, but also inspiring because their wares are so lovely, like those of Lisa Leonard, Lindsey Cheny and Gussy.
And then there are the writerly blogs, written by women who have hearts I admire, the kind where you know when you read, you will see a bit of yourself and a bit of another and maybe a glimpse of God. They put things into words that weren’t there before, and for that I am equal parts jealous and thankful. When I read Amber, Emily, Melissa, Megan and Arianne, it’s as if I’ve come home.
I almost didn’t go to Blissdom this year.
My time last year was incredible, but I left feeling a little lost, as though perhaps I wasn’t doing this blog thing right. The writerly types weren’t as visible last year. I have no craft to sell, no niche to define me and not one practical top ten list. I left wondering if the writing was enough, like maybe I needed to go out and find a new pair of shoes.
I don’t feel that way anymore, as I have been on a journey of discovering the value of quality content and that writing your passion applies no matter what kind of shoes you wear. I was excited to speak with such intelligent, articulate and passionate women (Deb, Isabel and Amber) on a panel called Content is Queen. Angela attended our session and wrote a nice recap, if you are interested.
Melissa, A Familiar Path; Emily, Remodeling This Life; Amber, The Run A Muck
I loved being at Blissdom this year. I love the women and the diversity and the grown-up-ness of it all (thank you Alli and Barbara!) I appreciated the two separate focuses: the business side of blogging and the writing side of blogging. Blissdom definitely had her big girl pants on this year. And she was wearing all kinds of shoes.
***
Each shoe pictured in this post did indeed attend Blissdom, as did each person who was linked to. If you would like to see more photos of people (and shoes), feel free to browse my flickr photo stream here.
i can’t even begin to imagine Blissdom without you…so many women were touched by your words of wisdom in your sessions. You are a master wordsmith and your voice encourages me to think more intentionally about choosing my words (and pictures( wisely.
hmmmm…
3 thoughts.
1 – what would I do without this blog to check every day. To see a little clearer. To feel a little deeper. I know I speak for many when I tell you you MUST go on. (And I trust as you left Blissdom feeling more empowered this year, that you will, indeed!!!)
2 – How could I ever attend Blissdom? I would be the plankton in the sea of whale sharks.
and 3 – forgive me. I have forgotten 3 in the magnitude of the weight I felt on my heart considering that you ever questioned yourself. You are EveryWoman. And I am grateful that He has given you the strength to find your voice.
I hope one day to come out of the seaweed of hiding to meet you.
May He bless your day.
k
I loved the shoes and descriptions of the people there. Sounds like such a wonderful time. I’ve recently begun reading here and you are quickly becoming such an endearing favorite read! I’ve sent many of my friends to your site just to read and see what I read and see here.
Sounds like a great time was had by all! I loved your analogy…so very true!
Your photos are wonderful!! I’m SO glad you decided to go to Blissdom, it wouldn’t have been the same without you. You’re fabulous!!!
Seems like you were a big fat blessing to other Blissdom-ers and still you were blessed greatly in return. I love how God’s economy works that way.
I hope it is in the plan for me to go next year, but I think I’m with Karin in the plankton-amongst-the-big-fish thing. It would be a beautiful opportunity to learn!
Keep up the writing, talented girl. Your fruit orchard has just begun!
I think you are sweet and lovely, and though I hardly have time to check “my blogs” unless I am having a sleepless night (like this one), I always try to catch up with you. I think your writing is crisp and soulful, and those are two very big compliments!
Oooh my chicken legs made your blog! I can die happy now
I know just how you felt last year. I am STILL overwhelmed. I still can’t blog. I am still processing. I know it’s only been a few days, I can be dramatic.
You were such a blessing to me over the weekend and I can truly say it wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Emily…I don’t “know” you, but I sure do like you. You’re the real thing. And, you’re the real thing because you know who made you and you are consistently drawing closer to Him.
You were a breath of fresh air when I needed some help learning my way in blogland last week. You didn’t have to offer help, but you did. So far, in my whole 2 weeks in blogging, I’ve only met “grown-up” girls wearing their big girl pants. I’ve not met anyone yet that wasn’t willing to help and offer advice. In this world we live in, that’s saying something!
We could be friends in real life. I just know it. Keep writing…pretty please.
What a lovely post!! I recognized several of those pairs of shoes
. So very glad to have met you, & it’s wonderful to hear your thoughts as a writer about the difference between last year & this year. I didn’t have a blog & didn’t know Twitter or blog conferences existed in February of last year. I am brand new in the community, but so validated in using my voice after Blissdom. I am glad to hear that you found that as well!
I’m only a little bit of a writer, so there are things I don’t understand. But I surely like good writing, and it seems to me that one of the most important things that good writers can do is to offer metaphors to their readers. And you have done that here masterfully.
Jeepers, Emily, I can scarcely believe that the same person who took these photos wrote these words. And yet, in so many ways, both photography and writing require the ability to “see.” Which you have in spades.
Actually, I think it’s more than an ability. I think you have the Gift of Seeing. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I truly cannot imagine Blissdom with you there Emily! It definitely wouldn’t have been the same for me (coming from another blogger whose personal blog is all about writing and not much else.)
And shoe photos?! Why in the world didn’t I think of that? LOVE them!
Thanks for sharing your trip to Blissdom through your photos–enjoyed them!
And this was definitely an encouraging post. As someone who also doesn’t have a “niche” blog, who mainly started it some years ago just to start writing again, I can relate with how you felt last year at Blissdom at times.
I’ve only been blogging a few weeks, but love it. My site doesn’t look so great – a template – but I’ve enjoyed posting. Writing. Why do we want to bare our souls? Why do we want to connect? I’m trying to understand that as I read and write. I love your writing and photos, Emily. Thank you for sharing.
A million yeses to this post, Emily, and a million yeses to the encouragement other commenters gave you here.
I am so so grateful for you – simply you.
Oh Sweetheart, this post is my proof that it worked. I’m no writer. I wanted to honor writers and the passion that you all bring to your blogs. I’m so pleased to hear it was a success!
I missed all the sessions this year. I’m excited to get the podcasts and transcripts and pour over them.
After I sleep for a month.
*happy sigh*
And yes, we brought our big girl panties.
I am so glad that you decided to go to Blissdom. I loved your panel. I felt so inspired and relieved
I just started blogging and everyone keeps asking what I blog about and what my niche is…don’t have one. I felt wrong until you said to write about your passion. Thank you so so much for sharing your wisdom and passion on the panel with those other wonderfully talented ladies. Your passion is contagious.
Yep, this would have been me, shooting the shoes…
So glad you got to go!
emily.
i loved the heart you shared for fellow writers on your panel.
i felt at home once the words were out and your mantra quote has been in my head ever since. thanks thanks thanks.
abby
First, loved the second pair of shoes.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Such a well written post…thanks for being so genuine! While I (try) to have a niche blog, I do envy those who can maintain a fabulous blog just by being themselves and taking gorgeous photography..your words inspire and encourage, thank you for that!
It’s always so interesting (and thankfully encouraging!) to see how other people perceive you. Am I being myself? Are my products as cute as I think they are? Etc. Thank you for giving me a little shout out. You know I adore you — so blessed to have met you in real life
xoxo!
What a lovely and cleverly written post. I am happy to hear you attend and had a wonderful time.
P.S. I must know — where can I find the shoes in pic #1? My pregger feet need some cute flats.
not only are you a writer but also an eloquent speaker and a fabulous photographer. it wouldn’t have been the same without you there. i would have been hugely disappointed.
I do so adore you, Emily and I love how you wove the shoes into this.
Blissdom would have lacked without you there.
XO
I love this post. And I love how you wove the shoe theme through it. I love your honesty about your inner struggle with Blissdom last year. I love your blog because it’s so quiet and sweet.
So much to love. Thanks, Emily!
I have a sudden hankering to go shoe shopping.
And I agree with you…the writing is enough. More than enough. Keep on my friend!
Just so you know, Emily, I love your blog. It’s one of my daily reads. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a post of yours and it gets my creative writing juices flowing and I can’t help but write my own thoughts on my own blog. Thank you for representing the “writer” type bloggers. And I LOVE your decorating ideas and style. You’re awesome!
Love your shoes analogy! And the shoes pictures to accompany it are super cute. I’m so glad I met you & that you didn’t mind me using you as practice in the photography workshop!
Your writing is beautiful and I feel very comfortable being here in your space.
I am a newer reader to your blog and I just love it,so keep on doing what you are doing. It is funny that you posted about this because I just wrote a post on having a blogger identity crisis. I read about the niches, but I don’t really have a niche because I’m not passionate enough to have 1 niche…I’m passionate about a lot of stuff. So thanks for your encouragement:)
You are such an encouragement to me!!! I struggle with those same questions on some days and others I can’t be more excited!!! Thank you for being so open with your heart! I feel normal!!
I really must find a way to attend Blissdom soon!!
Oh Em, It’s hard to imagine you being insecure about your blogs impact/purpose. You are a natural and I am inspired by you each time I read your posts. Though we’ve never met your sweetness come through the screen. Love your blog, glad you had such a great experience this go ’round.
loved reading your take on Blissdom since I have never been AND loved reading all the comments!
I am so glad you attended this year! It was great to meet you and if you hadn’t come I wouldn’t know about your wonderful blog! Looking forward to next year already!
Toni
Great post! thanks for sharing. I’ve been blogging for a few years, but have never heard of Blissdom. This is something I will definitely look into. Thanks!
You’re a master with words. And a sweet sister and roommate. And the world (not just bloggers) will be blessed here soon with the Good Girl series. Can’t wait. Love you!
My lands, how I adore you. I feel home in this space and in your words, too.
xoxo
This was beautiful Emily. In so many ways.
I’m so thankful to read your post, Emily! I almost went to Blissdom but since I just started blogging this past December and knew NO ONE in the blogging world, I was too scared. I will go next year. I won’t let my fear hold me back.
I’ve also wondered if writing is enough – that’s what I do, too. I don’t do crafts (though I admire those who do and like to purchase their work) and I don’t sell anything – I just write. And I often write about God and my faith journey because well…that’s what stirs in my soul the most.
Thanks again for such great words of wisdom!
It was wonderful meeting you at dinner on Saturday night. I’m already counting down till next year.
Your writing and your photography are beautiful…like your heart. I loved your recap of Blissdom. It was the first one I attended and I loved every second of it!
Emily,
I can’t wait to read your book(s) when they’re published. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your blog posts. Your writing is so sensitive and speaks so clearly without any judgment or stepping on toes. I’m still remembering the post about Adam and Eve and the fact that God gives us a free will to choose… Amazing… Please keep up the good work, but don’t get overwhelmed with having to post. Just do what comes naturally. You have an amazing eye that sees the simple things in God’s perspective.
YOU were one of the best parts of the conference. It wouldn’t have been what it was without you. <3
Emily,
I felt overwhelmed, out of place, awkward, excited and blessed to be at Blissdom. (first time ever) Then I went to your panel, Content is Queen, and I felt at home. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
From my initial squeal picture with you the first day to saying goodbye sadly on Saturday.. you succeeded in bringing me back to why I started blogging.
No words…
I am such a ding dong, I read Content is Queen as content like contentment.