Confessions From a Neurotic BlogHer Newbie

Posted on July 23, 2012 by erin

I’m hooking up today with Jana about BlogHer, the upcoming conference I’ll be attending with 4,500 other bloggers. I have killer roommates: Elaine, Jennifer, and Tracy. I just hope they don’t hate me after two hours. Fortunately Elaine has roomed with me before (Blissdom), so if I was that bad she wouldn’t do it again?

Let’s just say I have a lot of anxiety to begin with. And going to a conference of this magnitude has my adrenaline running at an all-time high. Frankly, if you read the following list of what I’m afraid of, you’ll probably laugh. But first you have to read Fadra’s awesome post (including snort-worthy vlog) about The Top 10 Faces of BlogHer.  After reading the rest of this, it shouldn’t be hard to figure out which one(s) = me.

  • I’m nervous you’ll approach me and I won’t immediately recognize you (see Fadra’s post). Or you won’t look like your avatar. Or your avatar isn’t your name. Which is why I will likely post some current photos or perhaps a short vlog later this week so that at least you’ll recognize me?
  • I’m terrified I’ll miss all the sessions I’m dying to get into because seats will fill up too fast. And then there’s standing room only and I’ll be claustrophobic and trying to squeeze myself in somehow and will step on people’s feet and put my ass in their faces and apologize over and over as I tromp towards a tiny corner.
  • What if I stink up the bathroom in the middle of the night due to nerves and all my roommates shun me? (yes, matches, I know, but still….)
  • I’m a sweater. Not a J. Crew sweater or a Gap sweater. I mean I sweat. When I’m in panic mode. When I’m rushing around. When you make me nervous or I feel like I don’t belong, I sweat. So I may roar as you approach, “DON’T TOUCH ME, I’M SWEATY!”
  • I’m going to Pathfinder Day. What if I can’t find my path?
  • I can’t dance. Thus the idea of Sparklecorn makes me sweaty. However, Alex and Shosh have promised to show me their moves. The video alone (see below) makes me bubble up with excitement!
  • This conference is so huge I’m worried I won’t get to meet everyone I want to. And even if I do, I’m behind on your blogs. So I’m stressed that you’ll hate me if I didn’t read that your little one is walking or that you scored a job in LA or that you’re pregnant or you miscarried or that your dog died or you got engaged or you were on tv for your new book. These things are important. YOU are important. I don’t expect everyone to know or remember everything about me, and I just pray you feel the same. Please tell me you do?
  • I’m scared I’ll want to disappear. Blissdom was one thing, but BlogHer is…so much bigger. But I’m going. And dammit, I’m gonna dance.

Like this:

MamaPop Sparklecorn 2010 from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

Go HERE to view MamaPop’s Sparklekorn video from BlogHer ’11.

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  • Gooddayregularpeople

    You’ll come back a changed woman.

    In so many ways.

    Can’t wait to see you … the only tears will be those of connection and being in the arms of your community, who saves us all daily.

    Dance away, Erin…because no one will be watching.

    • Erin Margolin

       Alexandra,

      I hope you are right.
      And I cannot wait to meet you. ;-)

  • frelle

    I loved BlogHer last year.  I hope you’ll love it too.  I agree with Alexandra’s comment about connection and being in the arms of community, too.  *HUG*

    • Erin Margolin

      frelle,

      thank goodness i have your digits. who are you rooming with? do you get in Weds or Thurs? xoxoxoxo

  • http://www.lateenough.com/ Alex@LateEnough

    I CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU AND HUG YOU AND DRAG YOU INTO CORNERS TO HANG OUT WITH ME. xoxo

    • http://fourplusanangel.com/ jessica

      Where is this corner? Is there room for me?

      • http://www.lateenough.com/ Alex@LateEnough

        ALWAYS. ALSO I DON’T YELL AS MUCH AS I AM ON THIS POST.

        • Erin Margolin

          I don’t know where the corner is, but once I stake out options, I will let you all know. @jw27:disqus , send me your digits (dm or email!)

  • dutchbeingme

    I’m there for you my friend… no matter if it’s sweaty hugs (on both of our parts) or dancing like we have no cares in the world. I can’t wait to see you and spend some good quality time with you in that tiny corner. :)

    • Erin Margolin

      WOOOOOHOOOOO, Julie! thanks for the heads up on the room switch potential situation…AGAIN!

      cannot wait to give you a huge hug and hang out!
      xoxoxo

  • Vikki

    I watched that video and freaked when I saw people I was dancing with and then thanked the gods that I was not captured dancing. I always tell people I dance like a humor blogger. Don’t worry about the dancing!

    Take some deep breaths. It always helps me to remember that I’m there to connect to people. If I do that, even in the smallest of ways, I consider it a success.

    Hope to see you there!

    • Erin Margolin

      Vikki,

      OF COURSE I WILL SEE YOU THERE! i will find you, dammit!

  • http://randomreflectionz.com/ Christie

    Sounds like a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, I’m still figuring out how to even be accepted into the BlogHer network. They rejected my recent application so I’m waiting for a chance to reapply. Have a great time. It sounds like a great opportunity.

    • Erin Margolin

      Christie,

      What do you mean accepted into the BlogHer network? DO you mean you submitted a piece of writing? I’m confused. ANyone can join the blogher site…how can I help?

  • IASoupMama

    Girl, I can’t even work up the gumption (or the money) to attend a teeny blogger conference, good on you for putting yourself out there!  And don’t worry about dancing — you’ll stand out more if you’re all tense and not dancing than you will if you’re relaxed and having fun, even if you think you look goofy.  Have a blast! 

    • Erin Margolin

      Courtenay,

      I think you’re right about the dancing and I am going to just try and let go/loose…we shall see! I wish you were coming so I could meet you!

  • http://twitter.com/CarpoolGoddess Carpool Goddess

    It does sound huge and overwhelming, but I’d still like to go next year. Can’t wait to hear your stories ;)

    • Erin Margolin

      Carpool Goddess,

      I will definitely post about it when I get home! Thanks for stopping by!

  • http://www.misselaineouslife.com Elaine A.

    I’m not going to lie, parts of it are super overwhelming, but in different ways.  I get overwhelmed at the fact that all these amazing people have come together just because of the INTERNET.  And so many of us never would have even known each other without it.  You know, like you and me. Just wait, you’ll feel it even more than you did at Blissdom. It’s just different. 

    I’m very social but I know I’ve done pretty much every thing in Fadra’s video except I hope I”ve never been as rude as that one “blogger” she imitated – you know the one. Just know I’m there for you the whole time, whenever you need me and if you don’t, well that’s fine too. Love you and see you soon… xoxo

    • Erin Margolin

      Elaine,

      I know! I can’t imagine someone being that rude….I would NEVER. Thank you so much for being such a sweet friend, for rooming with me and dealing w/ me and all my crazy ways. CANNOT wait to see you!

  • http://twitter.com/mommyhoodnxtrt Jessica F. Hinton

    Oh, I know you’ll do just fine! I wish I could be going to BlogHer this year, so just have fun for me! :)

    • Erin Margolin

      Jessica,

      I wish you could be there, too. I’ve been too scared to go in years past, so this is a big step for me and I’m freaking out. But trying to stay level headed!

  • http://twitter.com/MomMadeItLookEZ Jennifer Williams

    That’s it. I’m bringing Lysol.

    JOKING! Who cares if you stink up the bathroom? Not me. Everything is going to be fine. I promise. Elaine and I will be laid back enough for you.

    • Erin Margolin

      Jennifer,

      So do you prefer Lysol over matches? Snort! Thank you for your kind words. I’m so looking forward to meeting you. Please pardon my neuroses, I will try to leave them at home or at least when I land at the airport in NYC.

  • http://fourplusanangel.com/ jessica

    Me! Me! Me! I’m a neurotic Blogher newbie too, can’t wait to be scared out of our minds together.

    • Erin Margolin

      Jessica,

      Thanks for sending me your #! I have it in my cell phone now and I dm’d you back with my #!!! YAY! You are staying at the HIlton, right? roommates?

      • http://fourplusanangel.com/ jessica

        Yes and rooming with Ilana. 

  • http://writingwishing.com/ Alison

    I’m a sweater too. Like, big time. Yet, I haven’t frightened anyone away yet. 

    You’ll HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!! 

    • Erin Margolin

      Alison,

      I so wish I could do those Botox injections in my pits. Only I sweat everywhere, not just my armpits. Le sigh.
      LOL

  • http://learnedhappiness.wordpress.com/ @learndhappiness

    This will be my first conference ever.  So I’m a little nervous, to say the least.  About all those things and more.  Also, I rarely travel by myself…what if I get on the wrong train and end up in Pittsburg?  ;)  But I am ready to try to relax and have the best girls weekend of my life!

    • Susan @learndhappiness

      Also, have I told you how much I adore your blog header and well, everything?  So gorgeous.

      • Erin Margolin

        learndhappiness,

        thank you for your compliments on my blog header—i had LOTS of help and i paid a pretty penny for it, but it was worth it to me.

        now i just need to get to blogher so i can get inspired. things here have been tired lately, and i’ve been relying on guest posts to get me through a surgery recovery….but now I’m in a rut and don’t have much inspiration…..

        you will be okay. so will i. we’ll get through it together!

  • Neil

    It’s August in New York. We will ALL be sweaty.

    • Erin Margolin

      Nell,

      well i’m in the midwest and we’re dealing with triple digits almost daily. i hope it won’t be quite that bad in the northeast…ahhhhh!

  • Mary

    I think you just listed every single thing I would be neurotic about if going to the Blogher Conference.  Top of the list is sweating and stinking up the bathroom, for me.  Always feel solidarity with a woman who admit she really SWEATS!!!  Do you know why you never see sweat stains on the red carpet?  BOTOX.  But it’s super expensive.  Have fun and dance your heart out.

    • Erin Margolin

      Mary,

      I TOTALLY ADMIT I SWEAT!!
      and would do the botox…..but it’s $$$ and I assume you have to keep redoing it, right?

  • blahggy

    I’m terrified I won’t remember the people I HAVE met!!!!

    • Erin Margolin

      Blahggy,

      me too! see you SOON! xo

  • http://janasthinkingplace.com/ jana

    I have the same worries. I’ll hang in the corner whenever you need to. See you there!!!!

    • Erin Margolin

      jana,

      I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
      p.s. dm me your digits!

  • Ally

    Ah, I so wish I was going to one of these! You will have so much fun!

    • Erin Margolin

      Ally,

      i wish you were, too….maybe soon? maybe blissdom in texas in the spring???

  • http://www.honestmom.com/ JD @ Honest Mom

    OMG. Watching that video made me smile, smile, smile. I can’t wait to dance. I mean, I’m all psyched for the sessions and whatnot, of course. But I am a girl who looooves to dance and never gets to anymore. Freakin’ motherhood.

    I hope to meet you at BlogHer! Yahoooo!

    • Arnebya

      JD, I’m going to find you! I plan to dance all damn night too (seriously, I am NOT joking). The DJ’ll be pulling out his cords and I’ll still be on the dance floor. I am SO glad to see someone else say something I’ve been thinking: I can’t wait for the sessions and meeting people and the camraderie but THE DANCING.

    • Erin Margolin

      JD-

      Freakin’ motherhood indeed! Will you teach me your moves on the dance floor? ;-)

  • Arnebya

    I’m not necessarily social but I’m not that shy either (this will change when I arrive at the hotel I GUARANTEE YOU! These feelings hit me once I’m in the actual environment). I have some of your same fears. But. I’ma dance all night; I can’t help it. Oddly, the bathroom funking up from nerves is one of my genuine fears. I can’t wait to meet you, Erin. I’ll be in that corner, too, if Tracy’s there (for she will be on my lap).

    • Erin Margolin

      Arnebya—

      So relieved to hear I’m not alone in some of my fears. Tracy (@sellabitmum:twitter ) is my roomie, so if that’s who you mean? You can hopefully find me nearby too!

  • http://www.facebook.com/smartinez03 Stephanie Marie Martinez

    You dance your heart out and sweat on!  No one will hate you for not being up on blogs, everyone gets busy.  Have fun!!!  

    • Erin Margolin

      Stephanie,

      Thanks, girl! I wish you were gonna be there…! xoxoxo

  • Pamela

    Sounds like it’s going to be great! I bet you’ll have a lot more fun than expected (especially if you’re dancing like that).

    • Erin Margolin

      The dancing idea still scares me. LOL. I need a tutorial video!

  • http://www.vidyasury.com/ Vidya Sury

    I KNOW you are going to shine shine shine!  Hugs!

    • Erin Margolin

      THanks, Vidya! Wish you were going to be there!