Self Care At A Conference … notes to my sometimes introverted, usually anxiety ridden self.

I have been reflecting on my trip to 

Blogher 2014

asking myself what of value 

can I add to the conversation.

For me

it's on the subject of 

Self Care at a Conference.

I know conferences can sound fun from the outside

but inside

I think they are a lot of hard work

especially for any one with a tendency towards being introverted

or anxiety ridden.

I happen to be both

so I know by now

Self Care is a necessity 

that can pay off in spades!

I wrote about my

 Intentions

at the conference here

and

 rereading the post afterwards

I have to say 

having an intentional plan

really worked.

I had so many of the sacred connecting moments I was hoping for.

So today I wanted to write down the 

Self Care ideas that worked for me

and 

what I will do the next time 

I venture to a conference.

Arrive a day early.

I didn't this time … but I will from now on.  There is so much new to get used to … and if the schedule is jammed packed … there is little time to get your bearings … and overwhelm is almost certain … for people like me.

I actually ended up calling my husband the first night at the conference

crying

and 

 really just wanting to come home.

I was overwhelmed and disappointed at the same time.

Disappointed

because I thought it was going to just be all fun

I forgot what it felt like to be out of my comfort zone

way out.

My expectations were out of proportion

and

 I had forgotten 

conferences are work.

Hard work if you really want 

to have meaningful takeaways from your stay.

I knew I couldn't live with the personal failure of just quitting and going home.

So in the morning I regrouped.

Instead of doing the whole conference

I decided 

To do the conference in a way that worked

for me.

That meant first off

going for a walk and clearing my head.

I walked for a couple of hours

investigating the city

 getting my bearings

both locally

and
emotionally.

I realized for me to do a conference

my first priority had to be 

self care.

I went back the the hotel

 ordered a healthy breakfast

showered

and

 redid my entire itinerary.

I picked the two sessions I really wanted to see.

Vlogging

and

Finding Your Visual Voice.

I went to the first one early

to get a seat up front

notepad in hand.

Because I had taken care of myself

I was able to be totally engaged.

I chose not to go to the lunch speakers

instead I went to

the museum

to recharge my soul

with some great art and alone time

before another session.

Learning I had to do a conference
my own way
was worth the trip.

I realized
I have to respect my own soul
and
how I need to do
not only a conference
but life as well.

I am no good to anyone on overwhelm.
To  bring my beat self forward  it takes
investing in self care.

Leave your critical voice at home.

Pack grace for yourself and others instead.
A conference isn't the time to let the crazy mean judgmental voice
rule your days.
It will sap energy that could be used for doing good.

Because I had left with intentions for the conference
I did leave this voice at home
and
 instead brought a voice
that was gentle and nurturing.
A voice that reminded me
I was brave for even showing up.
That life is hard for us all at times
and
we are all doing the very best we can
with what we know now.
The voice that calmly reminds me that perfection is not required
but rather
authenticity
for true connections.

I made a conscious choice after the first day
to only focus on what was good
and to look for magic moments
and by doing so
 I found them.
So many magic moments.

Pack Wisely

I did
and
I was ever so grateful for it.
I had outfits pre styled for each event.

This quote by Bill Cunningham
is one of my all time favorites.

I never think clothes are frivolous
quite the contrary.

For me a great outfit
perfect for the occasion
lets me bring my best self forward.
The self that is all about engaging with others
to reflect their own greatness back to them.

The self that knows the bigger picture
is always about connections
and
spreading love.
Savoring the simple moments in life
because those are the great ones.

I have to nurture myself
so I can tap into this self
that I have begun to love
for I know her heart is pure.
This self can find the magic in life.

I can't always bring this self out
but I have learned
the more
I self care
the more often she returns.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy
as you style your life

Blogher 2014 Return

I am back from Blogher 2014!

The conference exceeded my expectations!

I am still processing what I learned

not only at the conference per say 

but also

what I learned from the experiences 

on what I call 

the margins

of the conference.

Next week I will be doing a recap 

of my favorite parts of Blogher 2014

as well as a post on

Conference Self Care.

I have realized attending conferences

and

 even traveling alone

investment in self care

is an investment in 

getting the most from any trip!

I have also  been to enough conferences and solo trips now to know

 to schedule two days down time upon my return.

Time to decompress

and 

reengage with family and my home.

When I get back from a trip

nothing grounds me like getting my house in order

literally.

Cleaning and gardening 

end up to be perfect opportunities

to process what I have learned

and

time to let the emotion slide off the events

leaving 

a clearer picture

of what I want to incorporate 

into not only my blog

but my life as well.

I was quite impressed with the beauty of San Jose

the host city of the conference.

I took the opportunity to 

walk most of the downtown area

and

 was most impressed with the amount of art in the area.

My packing system served me very well!

I had made a list of all the activities

and then

styled an outfit for each occasion.

This investment in time

enabled  me to enter each new event with confidence

giving me again

literally

an opportunity to put my best face forward!

It was a beautiful morning walk 

from the hotel to the conference

The more I walk

the better I always feel!

On  the mornings time permitted

I treated myself to a healthy in room breakfast.

I put much intent into 

any healthy choice I could make

in order to 

get the very most from the trip ...

like happy moments reconnecting 

with old friends …

as well

the ability to take full advantage 

of connecting with new kindred spirits!

By investing in my system of 

Conference Self Care

I was able to seek out 

so many fabulous 

new ideas and vendors

as well as  luxuriating in time spent with

 so many fabulous women who made up the conference!

I consider my trip

a great success!

It was not without challenges

but just like anything in life

 the more we do something with

 the intent to learn

the better we get at it!

Next week I will be sharing not only my

Conference Self Care ideas

but my

Blogher 2014 Highlight Reel 

as well!

Until then ….

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Blogher 2014

Hello my friends!

I will be gone here to Blogher 2014 for  few days

But you can follow along my trip via Instagram!

I will be back soon

to share what I've learned!

As always

 I wish you love  and joy

as you style your life!