When Christine of Vancouver Mom asked me to share the podium with superstars Amber Strocel and Tracy Rossignol at the 2012 Top 30 Mom Blogger event, my first thought was: “Are you crazy?” Seriously, there’s nothing quite like the prospect of speaking in front of 150 people to trigger a state High Anxiety.
So of course, I said Yes!
I worried about my 3-minute speech incessantly for several weeks before the event coming up with clever ways to bail on my commitment: “I have a tickle in my throat; my neck hurts; malaise.” At a certain point, it seemed rude to cancel so I organized my thoughts, edited them, re-edited them, and practiced. Theo was singularly unimpressed with my delivery turning away to play with his trucks every time I cleared my throat and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.
Thankfully, the whole thing went off swimmingly much to my surprise. No vocal cracks or shaking, just a light sweat and a feeling of total euphoria when it was over.
What I know now about mom blogging is this:*
You are never alone.
When you think your idea is too silly or ridiculous, blog about it. Someone can relate.
When you think you’re the only one who feels lonely or overwhelmed, blog about it.
If you think, an idea is too common, everyone talks about it, (my child won’t sleep!) blog it. The subject hasn’t been exhausted yet. At 2 am, someone is reading.
If you think, this is too painful, too scary or too dark, blog it.
It matters to someone.
If you believe your child defines the very term adorable, post a photo montage, slide show or video! You have fans.
When you think. My blog is so incredibly lame, I have no idea where to go with it, blog it.
On this, you are certainly not alone.
Not sure how to express yourself? Write a list. There is no blogging challenge that can’t be solved by a series of bullets, numbers or ABCs.
Want to connect? Comment on other blogs, chat on Twitter, join a carnival, link up. There’s always someone listening.
When you think, my writing sucks, know this: Blogging can be about great writing, but at its heart, it’s not about grammar, punctuation and good spelling, it’s about sharing the messiness, the hilarity, the emotions of motherhood for others to relate and respond to.
Blogging isn’t about me or you, it’s about us.
Sure my blog is about my journey. Yes it reflects my voice, and yes it’s my point of view. But really, a blog post is just the start of the conversation that continues in the comments or on other blogs on Facebook, or on Twitter. That’s where the magic happens.
Blogging isn’t about ads or clickthroughs or products. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.
Blogging can help you find your tribe whether its adoptive moms, attachment moms, birthmoms, granola moms, urban single moms, depressed moms, lesbian moms, feminist moms, enviro-moms, smartypants moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms, free-range moms, foodie moms, moms of twins or even triplets and of course stylish moms. There are tribes for all moms.
Blogging can take you to dark places but it can be funny and light too. Lets face it, motherhood is where hilarity and despair duke it out on a daily basis.
Your blog will morph and change over time, and you will wonder why you’re doing it, where this is all going and what the point of it is. And you’ll figure it out. You’ll blog about it.
Blogging is a great way to meet people IRL. I mean really how many of us started blogging thinking we’d be clinking glasses and getting our nails done with over 100 like-minded women.
We are not alone.
Thank you.
* I can’t be 100% sure this is exactly what I said!
Thanks to the Vancouver Museum for being such a spectacular venue and Vancouver Mom for putting on such a great event.
Ah, you did so well! It was perfect.
This is fabulous. 🙂
Your speech was absolutely fabulous, and you delivered it like a pro! You have me laughing and feeling inspired, so thank you 🙂
Fantastic post/speech!
What a great reminder of why we do what we do. And to keep doing it!
You knocked it out of the park with this one. It was such a pleasure to share the podium with you!
Nope, that’s pretty much what you said. Though I won’t say how many glasses of wine I’d had at that point, so my testimony *might* not hold up in court.
My favourite part was the list of mom blogger types, delivered rapid-fire without missing a beat. That was where I spilled my wine from laughing.
*Loved/Love!* Oh, and I’ve been planning to quote you on the hilarity and despair bit – that was my very favourite line, though I thought the entire thing was bloody brilliant. I’m glad you posted this – there may be other tidbits of it showing up in #QuotableBits posts for months to come! Also, today of all days, I really needed to hear again that I am not alone. So thank you, Harriet!
This is full of awesome. I love it.
Oh I love, love, love this!!! So true!!! Thanks for sharing and motivating me to keep on clicking those keys!
I love this. So well said and something I need to hear/read from time to time. I think, we all have moments where we wonder!!! Thank you…
Fantastic speech. Favourite part was the bit about the mom tribes! Glad you pushed past the neck pain. 😉
Love this! I’m sharing it on my own wall as I’m hopeful a couple of friends who still don’t understand the merit of blogging might see it a little better through your fabulous words.
You did a fantastic job on your speech last week. When you went up to the podium I did almost start yelling, ‘speech! speech!’ but I held back as not to throw you off too much 😉 Loved your words, they really made me laugh.
Yay, for Harriet! LOVE this post because it’s so true and I’m so bummed I couldn’t make the party to see you give your speech. I’m sure you were awesome!
I *love* your speech. BEAUTIFUL.
This blog post was beautiful. It actually brought me to tears! So encouraging! Sounds like you rocked the event!!
i loved it then and i love it now 🙂 see you on Wednesday?
Oh yes! Can’t wait to see you … And not speak – LOL.
Yup! And cheers ;-O
Harriet Fancott harriet@karmavore.com
Wise, inspiring and funny; this is how I find this post. Thank you for sharing this in the group.