It is amazing to think that something as big and bold as the Digital Parents Conference already feels like it was a lifetime ago. Coming home to a child on antibiotics, and having your home targeted in a random act of violence will do that I suppose…
As such, I’ve struggled to not only find the time to write a wrap up of the event but one that is the perfect compliment to the perfect event. There are too many people to list who made the day a personal success for me that it would just result in looking like one big blogging shopping list, so I shall just share with you two powerful, poignant moments that ultimately shaped my DPCON12 experience.
It was these wise words, short & sweet, and issued with the right mix of authority and experience that saw a very sudden, very overdue shift in my thoughts when it comes to all things writing: “You’ve just got to get over it”.
It was Valerie Khoo, a woman who’s writing, journalistic and public speaking prowess is a thing to be revered who issued this stern ultimatum to me. I was drinking in her experience while she hosted the DP Writing Workshop and had expressed my fears about not feeling worthy of approaching editors and potential case studies in my quest to secure more paid gigs. And her advice was simple – get over it and get on with it or deal with the fact you wont achieve any success.
I’ve never known why I feel like I don’t measure up – however I do know its a belief system that has spent far too long taking up room inside my mind and is on the brink of eviction. And I have Ms Khoo to thank for that!
The other turning point of the day came during the heart warming and heart breaking “My Blog, My Story” session. What a privilege it was to be privy to extremely personal blogger tales. In particular, the beautiful Kristie, from Hespera’s Garden who so very bravely shared her excruciating tale of love and loss (please, if you dont know her story, read a transcript of her speech here) whose words engulfed the entire audience into stunned silence. As I curled around my son’s sleeping body last night, for an impromptu hug, I vowed to stop agonising over the silly little things that I see fit to complain about of late during motherhood. This woman endured what might possibly be my worst nightmare, yet she was still fighting. Her loss will forever haunt me but her bravery will forever inspire me.
So now that my 36 hours in Melbourne is over – (one more shout out of thanks to the awesome Kelloggs for making it all possible!) I suppose it remains to be seen if I will be a better blogger or more social media savvy. However what I do know for sure is this: the Conference brought me so much more than tips on how to be a super success in the blogosphere. It strengthened friendships, it built new connections, it made me laugh, made me cry and most certainly made me inspired to be not only a better writer, but also an enhanced wife, mother and friend. Who could ask for more in one single Conference than that?
Were you a DPCon12 attendee? Care to share your personal highs from this fab event?
Great to see you again Donna. Not so great to read of the horrible ‘welcome home’.
It’s interesting that some words have helped you make the shift…
that’s exactly what happened to me at last year’s blogopolis, which I mentioned in my speech.
Ah ha moments.
Onward and upward now D…
Love Denyse
Having tea with you was certainly a high point 🙂 Apart from that two things. The strong message to blog and be true to yourself and simply meeting people in real life. I love the social side of these events. As tricky as it can feel it’s wonderful to meet people and really get to know them.
Having tea with you was certainly a high point 🙂 Apart from that two things. The strong message to blog and be true to yourself and simply meeting people in real life. I love the social side of these events. As tricky as it can feel it’s wonderful to meet people and really get to know them.
Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for such a beautifully written compliment on my story. I can’t help it… I have to tell my story. I think it is important for word to get out there.. for everyone to share, because as I said in my speech – I am one in 111.
Thank you for helping spread the word that little bit xxxx
What an amazing day, hey. I walked away with lessons I never expected to learn. And they far outweighed the lessons I was anticipating learning.
So glad we got to meet too, Donna. Just so wish there was more time to chat. x