For the fourth year in a row (4 for 4 baby!), I have had the pleasure of attending the Type A Parent Conference. Its first three years were hosted in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, but this year, we were in Charlotte, North Carolina, just a two hour drive east. I have always enjoyed myself every year. It’s been an amazing learning experience that charges me with motivation and spurs me into action, at least for a little while any way, toward building my blog.
This year, was exceptionally amazing because I was able to stay on site, rather than going home to my husband and son every night. Trust me, I love them and have missed them terribly, but honestly, I sometimes like being Cindy, instead of wife, Mom, and freelancer.
I have had an absolute BLAST with my roommates–Cindy from The Mildly Manic Mom, Angela of The Pagan Mom Blog, and Nancy, aka One Crazy Momma. (She has seven, yes you read that right, kids!) The sponsors have been incredible–keep an eye out for some reviews of For Dummies books and some food products within the next week or so. (I do have a full time job as a web designer and writer for other people, so I have to get back in the swing of things there, too!)
Perhaps the single most important lesson I learned from this conference, I learned not in a session (those were great, too!) but in a conversation with Anissa from Aiming Low. I’ve known about her and seen her at previous conferences, but only just now got the balls to go up and talk to her. And you know what? It made me kick myself for not getting up the courage sooner. You know, years ago. She quickly chastised me for being so negative about how I don’t have as many fans, followers, and recognition in the blogosphere and reminded me that every single blogger here started from nothing.
This single sentence gave me a boost of confidence, and made me realize that I just might want to start reaching out to brands, and stop thinking that I’m not worthy because my numbers and stats aren’t up there with people who’ve been blogging for 5+ years.
Anyway–I pushed myself out of my comfort zone… a lot. And I reaped more benefit from this year than I have in the others, combined…I’m sure. The conference itself is always a great thing, but if you don’t seize the chance you’ve been given… it’s not nearly as fulfilling. I’m already looking forward to the next conference!
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put together yet another spectacular year for us. Stay tuned!
This post was written by...
Cindy Watrous – who has written 146 posts on Its Foodtastic.
Cindy is a wife and mother who works as a freelance writer and WordPress web designer, with a love for good food.
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