I must not care about sleep anymore because I just want to keep writing.
One of the things I’ve been wanting to write about is the Healthy Living Summit. The whole weekend at the conference was such a wonderful experience for me in many ways. In other ways, it made me question why I blog, how I view blogging, and what it means to me in accordance with my life.
Let’s start at a really basic and essential point.
Would you attend the Healthy Living Summit again?
You bet I would. I would attend HLS again in a heartbeat.
Even thought the conference itself made me question a few things about blogging, it didn’t take away from the fact that I met so many wonderful people.
That’s what I remember most about the conference: it wasn’t the food, the sightseeing, or the presentations. It was the people. It was the community. I truly feel like many of the people who attended the conference were my friends and I was absolutely thrilled to meet them. Some of these women I’ve been waiting 2 + years to meet (hello Tina, hello Julie)
People say that me and Tina look like sisters. What do you think?
Some of them were women that I was dying to meet because I knew from reading their blog that we could click in an instant–(hello Jamie)
I had a blast drinking, taking photo booth pics, and simply talking and hugging all of these people that are near and dear to my heart after blogging for 2 years.
(I’m sorry–at this point I don’t remember whose picture this is)
Did I get tired of eating vegetarian or vegan food? It’s tasty, but yes, but no big deal. There’s cheesesteaks on every corner. I enjoyed one.
Did I sometimes feel awkward or embarassed at the crazy amounts of photos that were taken of everything? Yes, but what did I expect? I was at a blogging conference–document away.
Did I question how much and when people blogged at the conference? Yes, but it didn’t bother me. I just realized it was something I can’t do.
Let’s get something straight.
It seems like there is a whole new breed of “Healthy Living Blog Bashing” going on. There’s websites devoted to it, twitter handles made just for it, and you see it often on a lot of blogs these days.
People like and enjoy making fun of the tendencies that we often see in Healthy Living Blogs. The crazy pictures of oatmeal, the happy shiny people, the crazy diets, the crazy amounts of exercise, the amount of times a dog is put on a blog… You name it, people make fun of it.
And frankly, I hate that. Just because we don’t understand or agree with the way someone blogs or lives their lives–that’s no reason to bash on it or make fun of it. Just because I can’t do what they do doesn’t make their method wrong and my method right. We blog, and live, how we see fit and there is beauty in every single one of these choices.
When I started blogging, I blogged just as every body else did. I wanted to be as popular as the popular bloggers were, therefore, I followed their blueprint to a tee. I tried to make oats in a jar and take a picture of it–but it never quite worked and I never even liked the way it tasted. I tried to post 3 times a day, but found it exhausting and boring.
I quickly realized that it wasn’t for me. I couldn’t box my blog into a box by only talking about food or fitness. I had other parts of me that I wanted to share that had nothing to do with those topics. Once I gave myself the “ok” to be me and write about what I wanted, I felt that blogging was much more satisfying and FUN. I began to connect with people more and have real conversations from people across the country.
I fell in love with the community of bloggers. I’ve made wonderful friendships with many of the bloggers in this community that trump most of my day to day friendships. The honesty that exists in my blog allows people to know the real me. This is what you get. I may be talking about my thoughts on God in one post and sex in the next. It’s all me…right out in the open.
(These roomies made the trips. Our late night talks are one of my best memories. All three of these women are beautiful beautiful people. Courtney, Julie, me, and Tina)
It was no surprise to me that meeting everyone and having a good time with everyone was the best part of the Healthy Living Summit. Every single woman that I met that weekend had a smile on their face that was accompanied by an open heart. It was a blast.
In a perfect world, I’d want to have a blogger vacation. We all meet in a wonderful city—laptop free–and sightsee, dance, party and have a good time. THAT’S WHAT I WANT. Screw the blogging part. I felt that everyone blogging about all the events actually took away from my experience for me.
I saw something at the conference that I know I just didn’t have in me. Some of my greatest friends (blog..and at this point, life) blog 3 times a day. And let me tell you…they are professionals at it. I don’t mean that in a snarky way…I mean that in a genuine truthful kind of way. We would eat breakfast and they would blog about it. We’d eat lunch and sightsee a bit–and it would be blogged about. We’d all meet downstairs at the Starbucks in the morning to blog. I participated the first morning just because everyone else was doing it.
(Spider stance with Jordan)
An hour or two passed and I was itching to go out and explore the city. However, everyone had blog things to do–whether it be post, comment, or go over presentations. I couldn’t handle it. I finally got Tina and Diana to leave and explore the city with me. I didn’t want to spend any time in this beautiful city with these beautiful people blogging. I didn’t want to blog–I wanted to live it.
For me, if I would have blogged like the majority of other people, I wouldn’t have experienced the city and the people in attendance like I did.
At times, I felt a big disconnect between me and other bloggers because I just didn’t care to blog like they did. Initially, it made me feel like a slacker. After a few short moments, I realized it just wasn’t me. That works for them and I am thrilled because I know they are doing something they enjoy. I don’t enjoy blogging that much. I don’t blog to write or even to share about my daily activities. I blog to get things off my chest–to share–and to get to know all of the wonderful people here.
Seeing that many bloggers together made me realize how much I could possibly miss out if I was always worried what picture I needed to take (whether it be with someone, of food, of an event, of a run, etc), or what my blog post should say.
I need to have time to sit back and enjoy the experience before I can blog about it. My life experiences have to soak in a few days before I can blog about it.
I blogged once on the trip and that was it. I didn’t work out once on the trip. No 5 am jogs for me (more power to the ladies who did though. Wow, I was impressed). No crazy picture taking for me (I only had an iPhone). I spent time alone in my hotel room when everyone else was out lunching it up. I skipped presentations in favor of walking around the city. Do I feel guilty about any of that? No. I made the trip my own.
(Clare and I)
Truth be told, I forgot my cameras. Thank goodness I did. Without my camera, I was able to enjoy the experience more and see it clearly.
I think things like the HLS can make other bloggers feel incredibly insecure and inadequate. Don’t feel that way. You are your own person with your own strengths and your own challenges. Own those and have the time of your life.
I realized that I think that blogging all the time takes away from me living my life. I realized that constantly snapping my camera produces the same effect.
The conference was put together and organized phenomenally (Thanks ladies. You did a great job!). The presentations were all wonderful and interesting (at least the ones I attended). I loved every minute of being able to present and share my story. The love I felt from that room was unbelieveable.
Bottom line: More people, less picture taking, less blogging, more living.
Most of all: I loved meeting all of you. That’s all I cared about.
(PS: I am going to upload all of my HLS Summit pictures that I’ve acquired on the Facebook page. Feel free to look if you’d like).
Lastly: this post is not to bash the bloggers who do blog three times a day. Some of these ladies are close friends and make a living out of it and they do a darn good job of it. I am proud of them and the blogs they have created..-that method of blogging just isn’t for me and the Healthy Living Summit confirmed that.
{ 149 comments… read them below or add one }
Lisa, I just started reading when you posted the Floating on the Breeze series and I love your honesty…. Everybody groves with a different style of posting and writing, it’s nice that you keep yourself in check. Nicole and I are our own checks-and-balances system; I doubt I’d still have a blog after a week if I was on my own!
Anyways, thanks for sharing your thoughts on HLS. Both you and Jordan helped paint a different picture of the conference and it’s important for everyone to put away the cameras + laptops every once in a while!!
Lauren @ Sugar Coated Sisters recently posted..Non-Classroom Learning
Very interesting- thanks for your honesty. I can see where people could get carried away with blogging & miss life. Everybody is different & balance looks like something different.
Amanda @ Click. The Good News recently posted..Minute Maid Park Tour
When do you sleep??? Your explanation of your trip is exactly how I thought you would see it. God made us all different and he gave us this life – I say live it. I am sad about the camera comment – Love my camera:)
It is nice when I get to go to something and not be expected to be the one taking pictures.
I love this post!! I feel the exact same way. I loved the HLS but I felt like there is definitely that persona of the idol blogger that so many people try to mirror. It doesn’t make sense to me because writing should be purely for you. It’s about your life and if you’re not doing it for the right reasons, then you really shouldn’t be wasting time doing it at all.
Thanks for being honest. This post was awesome!
Lauren recently posted..Setting September Goals
“I need to have time to sit back and enjoy the experience before I can blog about it. My life experiences have to soak in a few days before I can blog about it.”
I am so so soo glad you said that – I have to have time to reflect on what happens to me too. I used to try to do the whole “blog 2-3 times a day about what happened throughout the day” but that so was not me. I have to think things through, reflect on them, and then form the words to communicate the experience.
I have been absolutely loving all your posts lately!
i love that, too! I am the same way. I have STOPPED feeling guilty, long ago, abotu not recapping things until LATER than LATE. [most things you see on THS actually happen at least 30 prior. ] see: my not yet recapping most of HLS.
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
So nicely put!
From an outsiders(reader not a blogger) perspective I had the same thoughts as I was reading blogs during the summit. I was amazed how some of them kept up with their regular posts and times, I never imagined for that to happen. I was wondered if they were even enjoying themselves.
I can definitely see the pressure to stay up with the “jones’” but you are absolutely right that you have to do what is you not what your friend blog does. We are here to read YOUR blog and whats going on with YOU not the same other stuff. Youre doing amazing!
Trust me–the girls who posted a lot–well, I can only speak for the ones that I saw–were still having a BLAST and it really didn’t affect the time they had at all. I just know that for me, it did, and it would have had I tried to post more.
I definitely would not either. Not the best multi-tasker….
As someone who is trying to find their way in the blogging world, it is nice to see these opinions. Sometimes it is intimidating to see the massive amounts of work that people put into blogging. I often wonder if I will ever have the time and dedication available to do that.
That being said, I love how each blogger brings a slightly different perspective to the table and goes about it a slightly different way.
And from one Okie to another, I have loved reading your blog lately. (even if you’re a Sooner fan
)
That’s the beauty of life and blogging—there’s room for every style and every viewpoint.
Here’s my honest opinion about 3 times a day posters (you know me…I am always honest) The posts are boring. Sorry but they are. There is only so much people can say 3 times a day and most of the posts lack substance. I would rather see one really good post a day then three sub-par posts just say you did three times a day. Now definitely this is a broad judgement and not ALL of them are like that. There are always exceptions but the vast majority of the bloggers who do multiple posts in one day bore me and I find that I usually don’t even go back to read them. I typically read the morning post because that is when I blog and maybe the evening post if I am bored that night. But I am not really a mid-day reader and I find that I honestly don’t miss much.
Kelly recently posted..photo friday
Kelly,
I think this type of post is PERFECT for our community. You shared your opinion, made a good case and even if you were “negative” in terms of what you think of those types of posts, you didn’t attack the posters. That’s the difference. I’m all for debate and discussion, and even criticism — it’s healthy for us. But can’t we keep it nice?
Katy Widrick recently posted..Five for Friday
I was th inking the SAME THING, Katy, but didn’t know how to word it properly. There are a handful of 3-times-a-day posters which I RARELY find a boring post published, and I love that you say, Kelly, that this isn’t broad and it’s a personal preference thing [in so many words.]
TOUCHE! TOUCHE!
I’m sorry Katy, I wasn’t trying to be negative or mean in anyway but in going back and reading what I wrote it does come across as much harsher than I intended. My only point was that I have stopped reading certain blogs because I find the main interest is posting more; getting higher stats and more page views than actually taking time with the post. I don’t think every single post needs to be deep and life affirming but I do believe you can tell when a blogger really wasn’t into the post or if there was no depth behind it. But on the exact flip side of that coin there are some three-a-day posters who I LOVE and I check thier blog all three times a day. I love love Julie and Tina (those are two whom I rarely miss) because they always have entertaining and thoughtful posts. I guess what I was trying to say was that I don’t see the point in posting just to post. I was proud of Lisa for realizing that she doesn’t have to be like that to be successful. I should have been more tactful.
Kelly–no no, I think Katy was saying that she thought your comment WAS tactful because you didn’t attack the person—just the idea. I thought your comment was GREAT and very well thought out–and true–I agree with you.
I agree with this in some ways too. There are a few bloggers I can say who posts 3 times a day and that I feel they churn out good topics, honest posts, and variety 90% of the time. Some of the 3-a-dayers can be pretty simple at times … “I ate this for lunch have a great day”…. which is ok sometimes bc it might spark a meal idea if nothing else …. but when you are a daily follower it can sometimes be disapointing to read an “empty” post… I do think at the same time, it is a business for alot of these ladies and it is important for them and the readers to keep a schedule of sorts and sometimes lunch was, well, boring. That’s ok too. Posting twice a day instead of three is ok too. Or once…. you get my point.
Stace recently posted..Balance
Great points, Stace! it’s all okay.
Also – (this is not directed at YOU, Stace – this is just a general train of thought in regards to the subject at hand) I think we need to remember that it’s also okay to STOP reading a blog if we aren’t getting anything of value from it’s content.
I’ve discussed this with other readers in the past, and I think sometimes people fall into a “if I don’t keep up on it, I may miss something!” point of view – but the truth is – this is the INTERNET. You can go BACK and read it, if it’s something of value.
When I decided to keep less blogs in my reader this year, I had to have a bit of a “talk” with myself. I still check in on other blogs I used to read daily, but found myself thinking “this is pointless” every now and again and truly had stopped ENJOYING what I was reading most of the time. I know count on my relationships through social media to point me in the direction of the “must see” posts from blogs I don’t read daily. People who tweet links to OTHER PEOPLE’S posts they enjoy, or use the “share” feature on Google Reader (one of my most favorite things EVER – if you want to follow good sharers, follow Katy Widrick and kelsey from kelseytoney.com – they are two of the BEST!) I had to get over the idea of feeling like I needed to “read” (and lets face it – skim) certain blogs to be “in-the-know.”
I also have refused since day ONE to read blogs that don’t interest me just because everyone else loves them. I think this is important for our own reading-sanity. There are some blogs which have a huge following, which I don’t particularly care for and maybe have read 3 posts from them in my entire reader-lifetime. This is a-okay and proably even more so than that, GOOD.
As a blogger, if someone is reading my blog daily and not liking it, I can’t help but wish they DIDN’T read. Here’s one reason why (i have several): It’s not helping either of us. If ALL of my readers dont like something I’m doing, but no one is telling me [kindly, please], and no one is leaving my subscriptions – than I will probably keep doing it. Who does this benefit? I’m not saying a decrease in readership or a comment about something I’m doing will definetely impact if I do it in the future – but I am willing to evaluate what I’m doing for the benefit of all parties.
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
Best comment ever! You choose what you read. O do the same thong with social media and not pressuring myself to read everything or read something bec it is “popular”.
Also, I have gone to posting more bec I like giving my readers a variety to choose from instead of having to get all I want to say in one long uncohesive mess (which is how it would come out for me in less frequent posting). I dont think any blogger that blogs more expects readers to read and stay up to date on all posts. And if they do – they need to get over themselves.
Darn you auto correct! Thong??? Seriously?! THING! THING! Hahaha!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..I Blog For Fun, But It Sometimes Includes Responsibilities: My Response
I think this is SO important Heather and I’m glad you bring it up. This is actually the basis of my post tomorrow. We all need to remember that reading other’s blogs takes away time from our blogging and our “real” lives. Wasting time reading blogs that you don’t love, don’t inspire you and give your life some meaning is wasting time you could spend on other things.
Amen. I like to only keep things in my life that I love—this includes belongings, etc.
Yep. Gotta do what works for you. No judgements from me on any blogging choice.
Beautiful and interesting post! Thanks for sharing this, and sorry I didn’t get to meet you at HLS- maybe next year?
Keelie (SweatEqualsSuccess) recently posted..Brooklyn (Actors)… We go hard…
Definitely next year!
Excellent writeup, Lisa! I felt a little silly because all of my pictures were taken exactly life if I were at a party in college. Friends being silly, weird faces, toasts with drinkies, and spider stances alike.
I learned at an early age that people like reading about others or looking at your pictures (before the blog it was facebook, before facebook it was opendiary, before opendiary it was webshots, before that it was physical photo albums that I’d bring to school. WHOAH remember them?) but too often, I’d catch myself documenting everything and forget to enjoy it myself.
This post is an excellent reminder to make sure not to take the blog too seriously when really, you’re writing about your life, and who wouldn’t want to read about a life well-lived? LOVED meeting you, I know it caused you pain, but I’ll send out a thanks to that sneaky spider for biting you and bringing us together.
Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers recently posted..Winston-Salem: More like WINNING Salem!
i just need to say this…
i like the documenting.
]
i like the process of posing and making my friends pose, too.
i like the looking back and thinking about what we did. [afterall, self proclaimed life romantic
I enjoy the process.
and that’s okay, too.
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
Oh yes, I like all those things as well. But for some of us who might get lost in the documenting (as I have a tendency to do) it’s good (for those of us who have that tendency) to step back/smell the roses kind of thing.
I am thankful that I took as many pictures as I have my whole life, and I’m also thankful that, at a certain point, I realized that by taking pictures of everyone else and focusing so much on poses and lighting, I was missing out on some things.
Everyone’s different. No two people are the same. Read that in a kids book one time, so it’s definitely legit.
Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers recently posted..Winston-Salem: More like WINNING Salem!
yes. we are so on the same page….of that children’s book
xo
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
love this post.
love you.
I think for me, one of the biggest things to remember is that there is a “professional” part of this blogging stuff for a lot of people. And you are right, that is BEYOND okay. We are all unique in our blogging and in our reasons for blogging and in our ways of viewing blogging.
You know I blog raw. I blog honest. I allow myself to be vulnerable because I want to be relatable, and I refuse to be ashamed of who I am. I share to help others and I share to help myself. But I learned a year or so ago that it possible for me to do these things – the things I LOVE to do and WANT to do – and still do so in a way which helps my blog grow in readership and bring in income.
Every time I face negativity about THS [which has been happening A LOT more lately. not a fan. ahem.] I HAVE to remind myself of a few things. [note: see panel notes
take own advice, Heather]
But one of the things I remind myself is that I AM blogging for income. I need to look at things from THAT view point some of the time, too. Especially when making an INVESTMENT in a trip to HLS. I had to pay for that shit. and i am POOR. I didn’t plan a trip to Philly to site see. I planned a trip to Philly to speak at a conference. To learn how to blog better. To be a representative for healthylivingblogs.com. To grow THS. Thus – even when I wanted to go out and learn presidential fun facts all day long (can you believe i didn’t do this once?) I had to make another decision because of my responsibilities.
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
If you ever want to come back to Philly for some presidential overload, the spare bedroom is yours.
Krissie J recently posted..No Pants Thursday
already planning on bombarding you with my presence at some point, lady
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
Y.E.S!
Krissie J recently posted..No Pants Thursday
You speak the truth, sister!
I don’t know what is happening lately, but the hate has to stop. It’s cyberbullying and it’s driving.me.bananas.
Having said that, I honestly don’t have a problem with the idea of people talking about bloggers. I think it’s natural to bond over venting and even some gossip. I would be a hypocrite if I tried to attack people for what they say in private, and between friends. Even though I hate knowing that people may be criticizing me, it’s their right.
My problem is when it extends to the Internet — it becomes a mob mentality when it’s in public, and somehow makes it seem “OK” to talk about the way people look, dress, their moral and lifestyle choices, etc. I just don’t understand the effort that it takes to post it — signing up for a profile, typing it out, etc. Wouldn’t it be better to spend that time working for good?
Katy Widrick recently posted..Five for Friday
I must be living in fantasy land…but there are really public forums on the ‘net that bash bloggers? Wow.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..I Blog For Fun, But It Sometimes Includes Responsibilities: My Response
Lisa,
I just read your blog for the first time about a week ago, I have been reading blogs for about a year and I have seen your name around and finally got around to clicking on your link. I am glad I did. I love your blog style. I wanted to comment about a few of your recent posts.
Firstly, I love your floating on a breeze series, love it, it brings me back to when I first started dating my partner almost 6 years ago. Connection, connection, connection! People thought I was crazy but I knew it was BIG and nothing would have stopped me. Can’t wait for more!
Nextly, blogging, I started a blog and a few months later stopped, I desperatly miss it but I felt like I was trying to fit a mold. I felt like I had to post and it became more of food diary than MY blog. I decided to figure out how I want to blog and what I want MY message to be (for me) and go back when I am ready. I commend your blogging style and your honesty because you write stuff alot of people won’t write. Stuff I want to read.
Lastly, I read a bunch of your back posts because I wanted to get to know your story more and I just want to say you are awesome and brave. You took alot of big steps in your life rescently that alot of people would not. I wish you all the happiness you deserve and can’t wait to read more.
Your new blog stalker (JK),
Stace
Amen. Love this post.
Look – like is short – I know because I am older and not a bit wiser than you.
Chip takes pictures of scenery – take pictures of those you are with because one day they will be gone.
Slow down and enjoy where you are today. Treat each town like you will never be back and see everything there is to see – including where you live now. Go see the Grand Ole Opry – you just might love it!! (remember how much fun we had!)
Less camera and more pictures in your memory bank. Somethings can’t be translated into a picture. That is the way Snow Whites castle is to me at Disney World. Pictures don’t get it – memories do.
Monica recently posted..5
I was nodding my head in agreement the whole time. While I am not a ‘healthy living blogger’ I do write about my workouts sometimes and fitness goals as my blog has morphed from post-divorce life to just well, my life and all that I love about it and the love IN my life, but sometimes the play-by-play posts aren’t nearly as captivating as the ones that have marinated a bit once you have time to let it all sink in. I think I have adjusted my own ‘voice’ a bit with that very realization, and it sounds like you have too. Your post was very eloquent, honest, but not bashing in an way. Perfectly poised!
jobo recently posted..Learning to live together: I’m far too particular.
Um, can you please move here and teach me life lessons on a daily basis?
Agreed with everything in this post and felt many of the exact same feelings you feel. I feel as if my blog is quite different than most of the healthy living blogs out there and I’m still trying to figure out a rhythm and where it belongs. Some of my favorite bloggers do it three times a day, but I just can’t. Most of my posts take me like 4 hours…not sure how it happens but it always does!
And actually, for the record, I love Oats in a Jar….but when I make it, it looks kinda gross. Sometimes I post it anyway but most of the time, I figure no one wants to see my odd oats in a jar.
Anyway, the point is, I loved reading your perspective on everything because it made me understand my own perspective a bit better. I love how your posts can help me do that.
So great to meet you – please come visit anytime. I will even clean my apt. for you. Promise!
Jamie aka “Sometimes Healthy” Girl recently posted..Healthified Cupcakes for my Intern
I agree about being amazed at the people who were blogging about the conference during the conference weekend! I mean, hello, most of your audience is breathing the same air as you, and they are experiencing it right beside you, why recap right then and there? On top of that, the hotel’s internet fees were crazy!
Getting out and enjoy Philly were my favorite parts of the weekend (not to say that I didn’t enjoy the sessions, but I love checking out new cities!)! I met a lot of new people, started reading a lot of their blogs, whereas before I only read just a handful of them. It was an great eye opening experience and I hope to get closer to other bloggers so that I won’t feel so shy at next year’s Summit, which I would love to be able to attend again. Great recap, and while I don’t recall if we met in person there, I am glad to have found you and your blog through HLS!
April recently posted..Morning Reflections
I also started off by blogging three times a day and then tapered it down to once a day, and now two or three days a week. I also phased to recipes instead of recaps of my eats. It’s important to remember that it is YOUR blog and that what you post on it is entirely up to you. It’s silly to follow other people’s footsteps, because it might not be right for you. People love a blog if they can really hear the blogger’s voice, and feel their passion, not if it just looks like one of the big Healthy Living ones.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape recently posted..Blueberry Bottom
This is such an interesting, honest post, Lisa. I love it.
I had an absolute BLAST at HLS, don’t get me wrong, but I honestly do wish that I had spent a little more time exploring the city (with you!). I wanted to try a cheese steak…I wanted to go back to Reading Terminal Market…I wanted to (sort of) see the Liberty Bell…and I just never got to it. I guess next time, I really need to work on my time management so I can enjoy everything that I want to see. Thanks for reminding me of that
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life recently posted..More Exciting News
I extend the same invite to you as I did Heather. More than welcome to come back for a visit! And I have 2 kitties to help placate your separation from Mr. Cody.
Krissie J recently posted..No Pants Thursday
LOL, thanks Krissie
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life recently posted..More Exciting News
ROAD TRIP!
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
I completely agree with you. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in work and blogging for some, but it really is about living. I just went on a two week trip across the country and didn’t care about working out or blogging, and it made it 100x better.
Jess@atasteofconfidence recently posted..Trip Recap: Black Hills & the Presidents
Love this post, as usual, you just lay it out there. I totally feel you on the wanting to “experience” rather than document. Even before I was a blogger, I used to be the “picture girl.” I was always taking photos. At one point my camera broke, and I felt SO free to enjoy my experiences instead of worrying about getting enough pictures. Like you, I did not blog at HLS and only put up one recap post. I must say, I felt “pressured” to get it up FAST though. I mean, I dropped a couple of other things to get the post up so I wouldn’t “miss out” on the posts going around. Anyway, thanks for your honesty.
Ericka Andersen recently posted..Book Club: "The Hiding Place"
I really appreciated seeing a different recap of HLS from the norm. I’m just a reader, not a blogger, and while I did enjoy lots of the other recaps (it’s so fun to see all my favorite bloggers together!) it did get a little repetitive. I’m glad you are able to recognize what does and does not work for you as a blogger so that you can really enjoy what you’re doing! Blogging is such a personal thing and I feel like sometimes people (the haters) forget that while a decent amount of bloggers do make some money off of their blogs, that generally isn’t the focus–it seems to be a far more personal and intimate space than they give credit for!
I love how you bring about different perspectives and open this sort of discussion. And don’t bash on anyone for their decisions.
I agree with a lot of the points here – and think I just may write my own post in response to it.
Hope that is okay!!!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..A New Greek Lover
I love your blog and I have you on my reader so I know when you update it, whevever you want to update it!
I am new to the blogging world and only later did I learn that they are usually grouped into healthy living blogs … I guess I do not follow the rules, because do to my travels I can’t always post regularily, although I wish I could … I am a lot older than everyone else it seems! Is there an age limit
I guess I just loved that I had a forum or place that I could spend some time with my thoughts, hopefully some nice pics to go along with it. And hopefully a fun read for the handful of people that read my blog
I have only been doing it for a couple of months but had to realize that my blog would just be for me … different format, different theme .. I can’t share recipes because I don’t use them, I have never seen a chia seed and don’t know where to find them
, I have never had oatmeal or quinoa … though I would like to try th latter … oatmeal … hmmm, not so much.
I loved your post and made my style of blogging … OK
A presto!
I just h
J @ … semplicemente j … recently posted..… it’s not just shaved ice to me …
Love this post. Having travelled with bloggers before, I know what it’s like to be around people who are like “Noooo! I neeeed to blog before we can do fun stuff!” I blog pretty much once a day, every day. But I know the world won’t end if I don’t get something put up. I like to think that the only person who would be truly upset is my mother, who would call to see if I’m still alive
(who, by the way, has actually done that before).
On the other hand, blogging isn’t my job. My paychecks don’t rely on getting thousands of hits on three blog posts every day, so I can be a little more slack with it. Talk to someone like Kath, who takes it seriously, and dammit, does a pretty good job at it.
I think it’s different when your blog isn’t a daily diary of sorts too. Mine isn’t either, and I find it really boring to write about “and then I did this, and then I ate this, and then I posed for this picture…” Like you, I need time to reflect on things and put out something well thought-out.
Finally, (I’m almost done, I swear!), I think we need to give our heads a shake and realize just how many people are reading and have a microscope on our healthy living community. We’re not this small little group of cozy bloggers, there are A LOT of people out there we’ve never heard of reading. It’s bound to bring out criticism, and so be it. As a journalist, I think there is nothing wrong with criticizing the way people conduct themselves who willingly put themselves in the public eye. IT JUST CAN’T BE MALICIOUS.
Susan recently posted..About That To-Do List…
I have a similar philosophy. Though I’m not a blogger, I just try and live “in the real world” rather than online as much as possible.
I’m glad you got to enjoy Philly. It is my native city and it is absolutely incredible. Even after years and years of living there and seeing the sights, I am still in awe when I’m there. (Which is not often since I’m now in Southern California).
Thanks for sharing. xo
Lisa,
This post really resonated with me on many levels. I have been in the blog world for many years, mostly posting my photography and travels across the world. Only recently did I discover healthy living blogs as I shifted away from my disordered eating habits to embrace life and health. Although I love reading these blogs to get ideas for cooking, exercise, and balance, I literally CANNOT do it myself. I’m much happier taking pictures of beautiful places and experiences than taking pictures of what I eat every single day. I’m too busy eating! (and like you said, LIVING).
Thank you so much for sticking to your guns and staying true to yourself. Reading your well-written contemplations have helped me realize that blogging is different for everyone and we shouldn’t conform to what we think is “correct”. Thanks for reinforcing that unique is OK
Kirsten recently posted..China: Stewing and Shopping in Shanghai
As a first time commenter (but long time reader) of your blog, I have to take this opportunity to say that I have such a deeper appreciation for your blog compared to many healthy living blogs out there. I check it daily and while I almost wish you posted three times a day, because I enjoy reading everything you have to say, I understand why you don’t bc every one of your posts has so much thought and substance. Not hatin’ on other blogs out there because many of the ones I read definitely still provide entertainment, but I really think that you are one of the only bloggers that offers us a candid, honest glimpse into your life. So, thank you for that!
Could not agree with you more. Loved reading your re-cap- very interesting & I love that you were honest about all of it!
I hope that I can go next year, and I would SO be right there with you exploring the city! Philly is beautiful! I love it!
Holly recently posted..Crohn’s Mini Series- Part II
Since I live here year round, I did not sneak away to go sightseeing. However, I am sad I did not get to meet you that weekend!
Hopefully you’ll be in these here parts again, or maybe I’ll be at another HLS (I left feeling out of place, but I believe in second chances!). 
Krissie J recently posted..No Pants Thursday
that’s a great perspective as well – people who have been to the city of the conference several times, have lived there in the past or who currently live there. They are probably more “event/networking” focused …. I didn’t even put those lines together and last year I was in Chicago – where I was BORN, lived for 12 years, and still visit often because my extended family base is there! Thanks, Krissie!
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
I semi-regret not staying downtown the entire weekend. Part of that was due to the fact the BF was leaving the next Fri for a work trip, and also to save some $$. Being that it takes 20 min to get downtown, I missed on the fun run and the start of breakfast when most people were still around.
Krissie J recently posted..No Pants Thursday
Hey Lisa! I don’t think I actually formally met you at the conference, but I’ve been reading your blog more ever since I watched your preso on numbers. Love it.
And I completely get this. Last year was my first year attending, and I had loads of fun, but remember walking away questioning everything about my blog. Luckily, like you, I wised up and realized that was silly and to just own it and do it.
Paige @ Running Around Normal recently posted..Mondegreens
I SO, SO agree with this entire post.
I admire the girls who DO live their lives documenting everything. It’s very cool, and it’s great for the people who enjoy doing so. but for me, whether I’m stressing over taking pictures for the blog, Facebook, or just to document “in general,” I feel like I’m completely missing out on the experience itself. sometimes, you need to take a step back, relax, and forget your camera.
and I have ALWAYS enjoyed the unique blogs. the blogs that don’t simply copy all the other blogs are the ones that steal my heart and have a special place at the top of my Google Reader subscriptions.
obv, yours is there.
you da bomb.com, as always. xoxo
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss recently posted..Lululemon Lust & A New Playlist
I completely agree with you about how some people seem to be so busy documenting their lives that they forget to actually LIVE.
I’ve found this since nexopia & facebook came out… and now that I read blogs/have a blog I’ve found that even more!
When I’m at dinner with my husband, sometimes I’ll take a quick photo of us or the restaurant, but then I put my camera (most of the time I just use my iphone) away because I want to be in the moment. I want to talk to him and hear about what’s on his mind. I want to be present and engaging (not looking at my twitter feeds).
Great post
Leanne (Bride to Mrs.) recently posted..Puppy VS. Mirror
Hey sweetcheeks! I wanted to go to the HLS soooo badly this year since it’s within driving distance from me, but I couldn’t get tickets:( Then I thought, “Wait, why should I go? I haven’t blogged in 9 months! HA!” I imagine, even if I *had* continued blogging, that I would have felt the EXACT SAME WAY you did at the conference. I never ever ever ever meant to stop blogging, but after my competition, I just had ZERO desire to talk about workouts, food and diets and just had the worst case of writers block. I didn’t want to talk about anything remotely related to the previous 6 months competition prep and decided to take a break…though I had no idea it would be this long. DOH! Sometimes I think about picking back up and blogging away, but until my heart is really “in it”, I think I’ll stick to living. Anyway, I “get” what you are saying. I would have definitely been all about exploring the city and living, rather than writing about it:)
Talia @ TexasGunslinger recently posted..Competition Day Re-cap
Honestly, I was getting a little tired of seeing all the blog posts during the HLS. I actually found myself anxious for it to be over, so my favorite bloggers could blog about something else. It wasn’t that they were “rubbing it in” that they were there and other bloggers weren’t. But a lot of posts were extremely similar. I’m glad you were able to do your own thing. I think a lot of times, bloggers feel pressure to do certain posts because that’s what everyone else is doing. It’s so much better to just be yourself, and do what works for you. Besides, getting out there and actually living it usually results in better/more interesting posts anyway!
Sarah @ Simply Dove Simply Life recently posted..Best of: August!
Love your attitude.
I mean, the whole idea of “blogger guilt” and “blogger pressure” is SO bizarre to me — probably because I am not a blogger. I’m a person.
I think more people need to remember that (0:
It’s like..”why so serious?” Your readers (this goes for all the big time bloggers) will love you no matter what I assume.
Unless they are getting paid, of course. Then it’s a job and there should be some pressure.
Missy recently posted..Roller Coaster of Recovery
Agreed. You can’t take blogging (unless it’s your job) too seriously. There are much more important things.
God Lisa…another crazy good post that I feel like I could have written…and I wasn’t even there lol!!
No, seriously – i really agree with everything here. I was going to highlight quotes and realized I’d be reciting your whole post.
I think though that even the bloggers that get paid shouldn’t make it so serious…I think they should consider another outlet/job that pays them as well. Simply because being in front of the computer all day is NOT healthy. It’s just not. I don’t care what anyone says. Same thing with people having to write everything that’s on their mind, what they eat, etc.
If these people just sat. Just sat in silence and just BE. What a difference. To absorb something yourself. OR to go out and volunteer, contribute to society. You realize there’s a whole bigger world out there! I read something Hilary wrote on Tina’s blog – about how it can become “self-absorbing” – and it’s true. I’m not pointing fingers or saying bloggers are – but obviously that’s a big part of it. It can also cause you to over-analyze things a lot. I keep/kept feeling I have to make all these recipes I see every day. Or that I shouldn’t be eating chicken with my dinner – and just the salad – because other bloggers don’t eat meat. Ick. That’s a horrible way to think.
Okay – enough from me already! So happy you wrote this and for your honesty. If I had wrote this – I would be getting so many harsh and horrible comments at me
. I guess I’m not as likeable as you 
Baking N Books recently posted..What NOT To Rent This Weekend!
I didn’t blog at all during HLS — took some photos, but also snagged some from friends post-conference because, like you, I was there to make friends and explore Philly. A few girls and I snuck out of the conference for a while to wander around the city because I didn’t want to spend face time with my computer or hours at Starbucks when I could be discovering a new city.
For some bloggers, blogging is their job so I can understand why they would forgo other opportunities to write a post — it pays the bills. For me, blogging is a hobby and I was more than happy to take minimal photos and set aside the laptop in favor of a fun weekend.
Erin (Travel Eat Repeat) recently posted..Staycation: Meridian Hill Park
Ah! I snuck out too during the conference. Wish we could have snuck out together.
Next time!
Erin (Travel Eat Repeat) recently posted..Staycation: Meridian Hill Park
more power to you! It’s hard to enjoy an experience when you or other people have a camera, phone, computer, etc. in their face.
Great perspective. I think there can be a slippery slope involved in terms of blogging it out vs. living it out and saving the blogging for later. I think it would be hard not to want to “live blog” parts of an experience like a healthy living conference, but at the same time, I’d also want to get out and explore with all of the beautiful bloggers around me! I just commented on Tina’s blog too…I totally think that blogging, and the best bloggers, the ones I come to read every single day, are the bloggers that keep it real, that blog for themselves and do it in a way that works for them, not some cookie cutter way that they saw someone else do. Its your blog, do it however you want, however makes you happy. and that’s that.
Jess recently posted..Vroom vroom, beep beep
thank you so much for your honest thoughts! I blog once a day, so i would just blog at night in the hotel room at HLS. mainly just pictures and little tidbits, saving the “meat’ for when I got back. It worked for me, but I totally understand its not for everyone!
I loved HLS and wouldnt trade it, but I do agree sometimes we get caught up in the documenting and not so much in the living! great reality check!
You did what works for you—so good for you. That’s the way to be! Glad you had fun at HLS. I’m excited for next year.
Hi! I just found you through Faith Fitness Fun.
I really love this post! I’ve never been to a blogging conference of any kind, but I still feel like I can agree with most of what you say. Even when I’m vacationing or sightseeing on my own, I notice that sometimes I get more wrapped up in how my photos will look, or capturing the perfect image, than I do in enjoying the moment. It’s important to remember to focus on living and not just documenting!
So glad I found your blog.
You’re now in my google reader and I can’t wait to read more!
Laura @ On the Threshold of Greatness recently posted..Basic H2 Samples
Isn’t Tina great? Glad you found me through her!
I’ve thought that for a few years about pictures and documenting life. I can document the majority of it in my mind and memories–and that’s mostly sufficient for me!
Again, thank you! I’ll have to check your blog out.
I really appreciate your honesty and real-ness. Especially for someone like me who is new to the healthy blogging community, it’s nice to see a different perspective on it. It’s so refreshing! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Love love LOVE this post, and I’m so sad I didn’t get to spend much time with you.
Sadly, I didn’t get to see much of Philly, but because I had freelance work to do. This is exactly why I’m experimenting with using an editorial calendar this month. I want to post every weekday, but I don’t want it to interfere with fun life experiences that will make me a better writer and person overall. I actually prescheduled posts to go up while I was at HLS so I didn’t have to worry about it!
Anyways, I’m completely off-topic now. What I wanted to say was that I love your blog and think you can still be a healthy living blogger without doing the 3-posts-a-day, this-is-what-I-ate format. If we all did that, blogs would get boring…we need some variety! Heck, I haven’t blogged about a workout in a super long time and consider myself more of a food/recipe blogger now, but I still love the healthy living blogs community and being a part of it (as evidenced by my being an admin of Healthylivingblogs.com
)!
Thank you for your honesty and wonderful, wonderful post!
Julie @SavvyEats recently posted..Brain Food 101: The Deal with Mayo
Prescheduled posts? You are SO organized. I love it. Honestly, I just don’t have the time to be that organized. Nursing School takes it out of me.
Wish we could’ve spent more time together as well. So much to do, so many people to talk to–and not near enough time. We need a week!
a) prescheduled posts are the way to go: 99.9% of posts on THS are prescheduled and I think it saves my life
b) this isn’t THAT long (says the girl that has written like 1000+ words in this comments section. dear god.), but I am still super proud. tear
c) i have never considered myself a “healthy living blogger” but more a part of the “healthy living blogging community” – I totally hear you.
d) xo
Heather recently posted..Social Searching & Riesling Sangria
I feel like I don’t even have the time to do prescheduled posts…sadly, I’m not sure I even know HOW to do prescheduled posts. In many ways, I’m such a newbie.
love it lisa…about 90% of the healthy living blogs I used to follow have been deleted from my google reader…it got to be too much for me to even read, and i could *never* blog that much myself!! i agree, those gals are great bloggers–but different strokes for different folks i guess
CharlieGirl recently posted..new marina!
Gorgeous post!! You bring up so many topics here and I honestly agree with all of them. I blogged about taking pictures about Boston yesterday even though I was originally planning on blogging about a chocolate tour. It just felt more right and I thought it was a good topic to remind my readers that there is a life outside of food… and we should live it! I asked my husband what he thought of the post, and he said: ” it was good, but I don’t see how it’s related to food… or your blog” Oh well, it made sense to me – and I was excited to write it rather than something that perhaps was more appropriate.
Also, I can’t blog during those conferences either. I want to experience it first and then summarize my highlights later. A play-by-play is just not exciting to me… and honestly I know gets repetative for readers too!
I loved this post. Living your life is the most important thing. If you don’t live your life, what will you even blog about?
You must choose the path that allows you to live your life to its fullest. Where blogging fits into that is different for everyone. There’s nothing wrong with blogging 3x a day as long as you have something to say, but if you don’t have anything to day then you need to wait until you do. Your blog will be much more valuable that way.
Holly recently posted..Gloomy but Perfect
This is an awesome post. I sometimes feel left out because I am not a lifecaster, don’t run or do yoga, and I am not vegan. Like you, I didn’t blog at all at HLS. Not even once. I just wanted to have fun, and I blogged when I got home. Being different used to bother me, but now I’ve come to appreciate it, and I know that we all have our own thing and our own way of getting our voice out there. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to meet you at HLS. Maybe next year!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt recently posted..Favorite Things (Part 6)
You’re right–being different is amazing. Wear it!
Hope we can meet next year.
LOVE. You are amazing and wonderful. You just do you, unabashedly, apologetically. I love that you have opinions and feelings and thoughts and aren’t afraid to share them. Keep ‘em comin.
Melissa recently posted..Controversy
Thank you so much for posting this! Since I’m still new to this, I have a tendency to let myself think that I’m not good enough because I don’t do what more practiced, experienced, and popular bloggers do- but that really isn’t me. One of the reasons I LOVE your blog is because you are different from the standard- you are unique, wonderful, beautiful, and absolutely real. I feel like you are a person I could pour my heart out to and I love that I am able to get that from reading your blog- if you posted just workouts and food or health related things all the time, I don’t think I’d feel that way.
Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Introducing CJ!
Sister–you can pour your heart out to me anytime you want! I’m available via skype, email, or phone call—and im being serious.
Thank you–you’ll find your niche and feel comfortable and confident in it.
Aw thank you Lisa! I will honestly probably take you up on that sometime
.
Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Sleepy Time
I love this post! Great outlook that you have ; )
I love blogging, but I blog because I love it and enjoy it, on days I don’t want to blog more than once , I don’t , or days I don’t want to blog at all, I won’t , I never make it into something I don’t ‘enjoy’ because if it ever gets to that point, why would I continue on . I started my blog one might during a very bad time in my life that I was going through, and like I believe, everything happens for a reason, I swear having started a blog really helped me get through things and I it was fate I did ; ) I love blogging and I love to keep it real too, I just be ‘me’ on my blog, thats all I ever want to be, not a copy or I never want to compare myself. My blog reflects Katie Elizabeth Gagliano and her crazy and fun life ; )
Love ya girl!
katie recently posted..Morning { 5 } Friday Start
What an interesting post! I’m still new to your blog (I hopped on after people were talking about your amazing romance posts… and gosh, were they right!) and I love your honesty. You write with conviction but in a positive way that doesn’t bring anyone else down. I haven’t had the chance to attend a blogger conference yet but hope to in the near future and I’d be like you- wanting to go out and explore the city! We can go out together
Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola recently posted..Take 5 Friday
I’m all for exploring and going out with you! Let’s do it!
I love this post. I found that I got tired of the HLS recaps after the first day, because they were so similar – and so abundant! I blog once a day – if that, I didn’t yesterday because I was sick and just wanted to lay on the big comfy chair in my living room and watch trashy TV – and that works for me. Lately, though, I have been working harder on finding my own voice in this big big sea of bloggers. It’s hard work!
deva (voracious vorilee) recently posted..Sick?
I remember that from last year when I was sitting at home during the HLS. I eventually just skipped over HLS recap posts because I had already seen the same words or the same pictures.
It can be hard work–but once you just let yourself be you–all the “hard” about it will go away.
That is what I was hoping
deva (voracious vorilee) recently posted..September? Already?
I like everything you’ve said. It’s sad that other people find it worth their time to say bad things or make fun of what other people do just because it’s different from what they are doing. It’s good that you recognize what works for you and you stick to them. It pays to stay true to ourselves.
Sheila recently posted..CNA Training
It is sad that people want to do that and go out of their way to do so–but hey, just like anything else–they enjoy it, so let em be. Plus, I do blog publicly–I might get talked about sometimes. It’s bound to happen.
Loved this post. I appreciate you being true to yourself!! (and I agree — have fun now, blog later! People will still read/appreciate it)
I also bought for the community and because it’s therapeutic to me and I want to share and hopefully inspire others.
Katie @ peacebeme recently posted..What I’m Stressed about for my wedding
I blog once a day, if I dont get to it, sometimes I feel bad. but soemtimes sleep and spending time with my kiddo is MORE important.
Thank you for this post. Much of what you said has been running through my mind lately and your words helped me sort through some of it.
As a blogger, we can put so much pressure on ourselves to blog a certain way or so often. It is hard sometimes to decipher between what other bloggers are doing and what you set out to accomplish. Often I find that I try to create experiences for the sake of blogging OR I sacrifice certain real experiences to pause and take pictures, check-in, and tweet. It’s ironic that we create a blog to capture, in some essence, our lives and point of view, and if we’re not careful that is one of the first things we loose.
Your post helps me to step back and recognize I don’t need to conform to the norm for blogging. I can appreciate others styles and yet still have my own.
Thank you!
Chelsey @ Chew with Your Mouth Open recently posted..Kale Chips
it sounds like you took and understood exactly what I wanted to convey in this post.
You can appreciate others and realize they aren’t you. Your blog will be that much better for it.
I love this post! I agree that we need to experience life first before we start blogging. “Live to blog. Don’t blog to live.” If we didn’t live their would nothing to blog about – right? From you not blogging about HLS while you were there, you were able to reflect on it and deliver this truly awesome post!
Jess @ Jess Go Bananas recently posted..Fortune Friday Part 2
Lisa,
Thank you for being so open and YOU about your thoughts and responses to HLS. I was stuck in the place of not knowing where to fit in. I’m still new at spending time with large groups of bloggers and didn’t want to “miss out.”
I barely took any pictures and I’m okay with that because the few I did were awesome. Learning to be me instead of being more like others is hard and reminds me being me is what people want not a copy cat.
I keep learning from you so don’t stop writing!
Cynthia (It All Changes) recently posted..Sock It To Me
Cynthia,
It’s hard to know where to find your place. I’m glad you had a good time and hope that we are both able to go next year.
wow. best HLS recap post ever to exist.
janetha recently posted..repurposing.
Hoo-rah!!
Just read all the comments and loved that even more.
janetha recently posted..repurposing.
I totally agree with you Janetha!!! this is a great re-cap!!! along with the comments
Pure2raw twins recently posted..{grain-free} pumpkin muffins
Thank you Lisa.
You took the words right out of my mouth about the blog bashers. Yes, they’re out there, but there are bashers for everything. I love our community. I love taking photos of oatmeal, I love my dog, and I love to share my life. They can make fun all they want, but in the end it’s just a playground bully looking for a fight.
I think you captured what the Healthy Living Summit is really all about. It’s not about the food, the sessions, or how much swag – it’s about meeting the friends you made online and experiencing something fun and new with them. That was why we originally started HLS three years ago! We knew nothing about events, we just wanted people to come together and meet!
Meghann recently posted..Dear Mom…
Meghann—thank you for commenting. I was curious as to what some of the organizers and founders would think of the post. Glad you know that you appreciate it.
I have recently come across some of the more vocal people against some HLB and I was shocked they were out there–but like you said, if you love it…keep doing it!
I am very excited about next years HLS and can’t wait to see where it will be. Thanks for all the hard work you put into it.
I have been reading healthy living blogs for over a year to get recipes, advice, etc. I never once felt the urge to leave a comment, but after reading your blog for a few months I feel so connected to you. I am also in nursing school (graduate in December), getting married, and moving across the country. In the process I try to maintain a healthy life with my mind, body, and soul. I adore your blog because of your transparent talented writing and the variety of topics. I feel like we would be great friends! So thank you for sharing and inspiring!
P.S. You’re love story is precious and as others have said sounds like a romance novel
It actually kind of reminds me of those short stories that are published near the back of Cosmo magazines.
Jana,
Thank you. I appreciate all of the kind words. Are you excited about graduating in December? How’s the job market looking for us nurses? I will graduate next July, so I’ve got a little ways to go.
And this, Lisa, is why your blog is one of my favourites. So refreshing!
ok now for my two cents on this topic. I have such mixed views on things especially blog conferences and how-to’s for blogging. there is no blogging police or conference police, we all just need to do what we want and be happy with it. I too have found a few blogs that have bored me, even though I think that person means well and is a nice person, they just don’t click with me. And that is ok. I know there are people are there thinking the same about me. It is all part of life. And I enjoyed reading your views on HLS as it is a conference my sister and I are unsure about ever attending. But we do agree with blog friends we have connected with are the best and we love meeting new ones which is one part about going to conferences is the connections
Pure2raw twins recently posted..{grain-free} pumpkin muffins
This is completely off subject, but did you go to 105 Degrees Academy or School or whatever the exact name is? I feel like you did–but I’m not sure if I am just making that up!
What are some of the other conferences you’ve attended? I hope you decide to attend HLS, I’d love to meet both of you.
Yes! Sorry to chime in but Michelle was one of my inspirations to get my booty over to OKC to do Level 1 at 105. Loved reading about her time there.
This is why I love you.
I felt the same way at HLS. This is why my blog often doesn’t include photos of every single meal I eat, every run I go on, etc – because I’m living and enjoying these things, not taking photos of them! It totally takes away from living for me, and it doesn’t work for me.
That being said, I totally appreciate that this method does work for some people, but it doesn’t work for me. At this point, posting every day doesn’t work for me. If that means less readers, so be it, but I won’t post just to post.
You are a rockstar – keep being awesome.
Caitlin recently posted..Free Sweat in September
Thank you for your kind words! I agree with everything you said
Ohhh Lisa, I agree with you on SO many levels. Heck, I went to HLS and have not recapped it yet (and when I do.. it won’t be the typical recap post, either!). I think I’ve blogged only once since being back. I am more of the “live your life…digest it for a few days… and blog when you feel inspried” type. Plus, school takes up a LOT of my time, and I’m in two writing-intensive heavy classes now. So any writing I do is mostly for school. I still read, though!
Allison @ Happy Tales recently posted..Empowered
Thank you so much for this post girl! I am relatively new to blogging and sometimes, i worry too much about how many readers I have or how many times I post. This takes a way from the real reason I blog which is my absolute love for writing and expressing my thoughts and feelings.
Amanda recently posted..Busy Bee!
This is a very interesting post. I just had my blogoversary. I missed out on both Fitbloggin and HLS this year because of family events, but I really hope to be able to make a confernece soon–to meet the bloggers I “know” and new people too.
I guess I backed into blogging – I didn’t really know other healthy living blogs before I started my own, so I didn’t know what I was getting into or what I “should” do. And, I don’t own a camera. All I have is my iPhone, so all my pictures are crappy–or hokey clip art.
Coco recently posted..Chili For Irene
I think it’s actually better you that you “backed” into blogging. It allowed you to find and hone your own voice without the influence of seeing others.
Loved hearing your honest insight! Glad you like to explore because one day when we attend the same event you’ll have an extra buddy to explore with
I would love to explore with you!
Thanks for the great and very honest post. As a part-time, fairly newbie-blogger I often feel like I don’t compare or stack up. I am a healthy living blogger but I am focused on healthy living holistically,and sometimes I feel like that doesn’t count. I felt in a way that I missed out not being at the conference but I wondered if I would fit in. I am looking forward to keeping up with your blog more and grateful for the honesty
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I think holistically should count perhaps even more so than just straight heatlhy living blogger–whatever the heck that really means anyways.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello–I appreciate it.
Love this post, Lisa. I don’t know if I’ve ever commented, but I read when I have the chance!
I just wanted to say that this line:
“Once I gave myself the “ok” to be me and write about what I wanted, I felt that blogging was much more satisfying and FUN.”
Well, that line resonated. That’s actually essentially what I posted about today – eliminating all the blogger “rules” (why do I have to give a rat’s booty about SEO if I don’t have time for it?!) and just getting back to how I started blogging almost three years ago…by blogging about whatever I want, definitely including food and fitness, but so much more, too.
I do wish I had been at HLS, though, in order to meet more lovely ladies like yourself! The people behind the blogs and the potential relationships to be formed is the best aspect of blogging.
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I’ll have to make sure and go read your post–sounds like something I would love. (And SEO: don’t mess with it. Perhaps I should, but I don’t want to).
I think that getting back to the basics (not just in blogging, but in life) is something we need to be reminded of from time to time.
You are such a wonderful person! It was so great meeting you at HLS. You helped me to feel better about the question I asked at y’alls session and were just a doll to talk to. Stay true to who you are, we all love it!
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Talking to you after the presentation was one of my favorite moments from the HLS. It was great to meet someone that I had never had any interaction with and have such a wonderful conversation.
i love these reflections, lisa. i am a long time reader but first time commenter and just want to say your blog is an inspiration each and every post
Thanks for coming out and commenting! Nice to meet you.
“That’s what I remember most about the conference: it wasn’t the food, the sightseeing, or the presentations. It was the people. It was the community.”
I couldn’t agree with this more! More often than ever, I think we’re seeing the power and strength of the blogging community. It’s so intriguing to me – so much so that I’ve actually started researching it. I think what makes the “healthy living” blog community so strong is that at the end of the day, all of us share that underlying passion for a healthy life. So while one person might choose to share their healthy life through today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner, another might write about a growth from a personal experience. But at the end of the day, we’re all in this because we realize we only have one life to live, and we might as well make a good, healthy one in every way possible. And I think a respect for one another naturally grows because of that… thus making these bonds even stronger.
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Wow, Liz. What a nice comment–full of reflection. You summed this up in a way that I’m not sure I could have. Thank you.
I absolutely love this post. Though I’ve never been to the Healthy Living Summit (mainly because I’m a newbie!) I do still have some of the same feelings you stated about being a blogger. In the beginning I always pressured myself to write 3 posts a day…and that didn’t last long. I realized I live a different lifestyle and I’d rather spend time with the people (and animals!) that I love than blog about what I did at the gym every day (absolute no offense to anyone that does, I just can’t find time to do all of that!).
Gotta find what works for you!
PS: Love that you mentioned animals. You are a girl after my own heart, I can tell.
LIsa, I love this post. I have to say I was thinking some very similar things over the past two weeks since HLS and just started to put them into words today. Then Julie directed me to this post and you definitely inspired me to write mine that will go up tomorrow!
For me, I did blog once a day while at HLS but I didn’t go into depth on my posts. I mostly showed pictures and posted random things from the days because I promised myself I would blog my trip (since I generally don’t blog over vacation). Since coming back, I’ve mentioned and incorporated a lot of what I’ve learned into my posts but haven’t done a major recap.
I found myself thinking so many times, “there is no way I can put this experience or what I’m seeing into perspective for my readers.” There was no way to photograph what I experienced and convey that to readers, so I didn’t try. I find there are many parts of my life that I choose to not blog about, even though they are amazing. I don’t want to do my life a disservice by missing out on great experiences because I’m caught up in trying to pass the experience along through my writing and photography. I’m glad to have met someone who agrees!
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I went to HLS last year and I am actually glad I blogged most of it because I tend to forget how much fun things are. I know in the moment it is stressful to blog every moment, but it’s fun to look back on. But like you said, I am glad you did what you wanted!
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love this post. I went to HLS last year, and while I don’t regret going, I would definitely have been walking around exploring the city with you! I LOVE to blog, but I schedule my blogging time around living like you do. I write posts early in the morning or later at night after work. It wouldn’t work for my lifestyle or personality to post 3 times a day, I’d go crazy! But I do agree with you that I respect and admire the passion and commitment that professional bloggers have for their job!
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredibly honest and insightful post…and your talk at HLS (which I attended). I too, loved every minute of HLS, but I did find it hard not to compare myself to others. I left feeling challenged and inspired, but also a bit discouraged too. You are so right that each of us blogs in our own way, and we have to find why and how is the best way to do that…more power to you, I say!
I didn’t blog once while I was at HLS either and I think I only wrote about it once when I got home. To me the conference was more about meeting the fantastic people behind some of my favorite blogs. That was hands down the best part. Sure I learned stuff from a lot of the presentations, but hanging out with people I consider my friends and only get to see once a year was definitely the best part.
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Thanks for posting this…as a new blogger I often feel pressure (from myself) to do certain things. As long as I bring myself back to the grounded place of why I started blogging, I manage to do it in a way that’s enjoyable to me. Thank you thank you thank you.
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Thoughtful post Lisa. I definitely don’t subscribe to any kind of schedule when it comes to my blog posting (especially as a new mother) however I do aim to post 3-5 times per week, but only if I had something worth saying or worth my time writing. I started my blog out as a way to be accountable for my new ‘healthier’ promise to myself, not for anyone else, and the blog has grown from that into a business. Yes, of course I need to ensure I am posting enough to not lose readers, but also, the kind of business I run, does not run solely through my blog, so I too, like to ensure that I am living life and not just blogging it. I’d love to see you write a post on how you approach your blogging when talking to non blogging friends. In my circle, I still think they think it’s quite weird!
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oh man I remember when I first started blogging and felt all of this pressure to post all of my food and post 3x a day…that didnt last too long because I just couldnt keep up! I slowly turned my blog into ‘my own’ i thnk this is os important because afterall it is YOUR blog.I love writing and your voice that comes through. hearing about your experiences, ups, downs, life! I really hope to meet you one day!!
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Lisa, I think this blog sums up why I LOVE your blog so much. Its original, honest and quite frankly you’ve inspired me a few times to look at myself and how real I’m being about my life. It really is easy to try and fall in line with what’s being done around us and as we get older it almost gets harder to forget that we are individuals and we’re not all going to fit the mould. I love being able to check in here for the reminders. So – thank you
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Lisa, thank you for writing this post. I appreciate your honesty and openness on the topic of blogging, and your thoughts and opinions certainly ring true to me. I haven’t been blogging for very long, but right from the start, I wrote on my blog (and knew in my heart), that I didn’t want a blog where I was posting every single thing that went in my mouth, and blogging 3 times a day. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading those blogs, but I knew that wouldn’t be for me. It would feel like a chore to me, not something I do as an outlet.
However, once I got going on my blog, there were times I felt inadequate, like I wasn’t blogging enough, should maybe start showing all my food, and I would never “make it” in the Healthy Living Blog world. But blogs like yours, which is one of my favorites, made me re-realize that blogs should be an individual’s work-not trying to uphold to some standard we think is the correct one. It should be a way to vent, reflect, share goals, and connect with people, and how one chooses to go about doing so is completely individualized.
All that said, I really feel better reading this post, because I agree with everything you said. Reading this also makes me feel better about my own direction. Thanks for another wonderful post.
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This post was my introduction to your blog and I must say, lady, I love your attitude! I feel as if had I attended the HLS I would have felt very, very similarly and it’s really refreshing to read your take on it – as someone else who doesn’t post meals etc. obsessively and just writes about what comes to mind whenever and wherever. And who also doesn’t blog and miss out on life. Can’t wait to read more of your blog – and thank you
Thanks for posting this. I can relate, big time.
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