Middle Aged Mama

Blogging about my Midlife Adventures

54 Reasons Why I’m Nervous about the Problogger Conference

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Surfers ParadiseOnly a few sleeps now until I drive down the Gold Coast and head to my first ever bloggy conference – the Problogger Training Event!

Although I’m excited, I Must Confess I am also nervous about so many things …

  1. What to wear! I don’t want to look like a frump. I’m aiming to achieve a look that is confident AND comfortable.
  2. Have I got enough business cards?
  3. I’m staying at a unit a couple of streets away. Really hoping I don’t get mugged or anything as I walk to and from the conference!
  4. I’ve been madly studying everybody’s blogs and profile pictures beforehand, so I don’t have to say, “actually, I don’t think I’ve come across your blog yet!”
  5. I don’t have a laptop / ipad or other techy stuff – just an iphone. Will I stand out like a sore thumb without the gadgets and gizmos that are so handy for blogging?!
  6. Will my bloggy heroes (Nikki from Styling You, Melissa from Suger Coat It and about a hundred others) be as great in person as they are on their blogs?
  7. Will they even know who I am???
  8. Will I be able to sleep at all the night before?
  9. Or the first night I’m away?
  10. What will I do if there are two sessions on at once that I really want to attend?
  11. Will I have anybody to hang out with for mealtimes etc?
  12. Will people notice that I am wearing clothes that are SO last season?!
  13. Or that I bought them from an op shop in the first place?!
  14. Will I have any “fans”?!
  15. And if so – will they be disappointed when they meet me in real life?!
  16. How will I get all my work done early in the week, seeing as I’m taking Thursday and Friday off for the conference?
  17. Will the air conditioning be too cold?
  18. Will I get sore feet walking between the unit and the conference?
  19. Should I just get a cab instead?
  20. Should I get a hair cut before then so my hair sits nicely?
  21. How am I going to remember everything I want to remember?
  22. I hope I manage to get some decent photos!
  23. No doubt I’ll do the obligatory post conference post – wonder what angle I’ll take?
  24. Flats or heels – flats I think …
  25. Will I get to meet any of the really famous bloggy folk?
  26. How will I survive without my hubster for 3 days?
  27. And my kitty?!
  28. And the kids I guess (they’re 19 and 16 so they probably won’t even notice I’ve gone!)
  29. And I’ll miss Big Brother!
  30. I hope I don’t get lost driving down the Coast!
  31. I’d better stay healthy from now until after the conference.
  32. Hope my skin doesn’t break out from stress – not a good look in the photos …
  33. Will the weather be kind so I can get around without looking like a drowned rat?
  34. I hope I’m not rude, and manage to put the iphone down and focus on the people I have the great fortune to be meeting!
  35. What will I wear to the shindig on Friday night?
  36. Really hope I find some great people to hang with!
  37. What will my elevator pitch be (as suggested by Mel Kettle from the Cook’s Notebook)?
  38. I hope I don’t forget to pack anything!
  39. Will I look really newbie and green – after all it IS my first bloggy conference (though I have been to a few writing and editing conferences in my time…)
  40. Hope I don’t have bad breath or spinach between my teeth when schmoozing with others or do something stupid like tuck my skirt into my knickers accidentally …
  41. Really hope I don’t miss anything good!
  42. How do I greet people that I’ve been chatting with via blogs and social media? With a hug or a handshake?
  43. Hope I don’t drop any conversational clangers …
  44. Really hope we wear name tags with name and blog!
  45. Will I feel left out because I’m not travelling with other conference attendees or staying with them?
  46. Who will I “connect” with IRL? Just because I enjoy their blog doesn’t mean we’ll “click” in the real world …
  47. FOOD. Food is important peoples. Does the conference provide morning / afternoon teas?
  48. Lunch?
  49. And if not what will I do and where will I go?!
  50. What will my unit be like?
  51. Will the bed be comfortable?
  52. And will I even see the beach?!
  53. Should I schedule posts for while I’m away, as per my usual bloggy schedule?
  54. And will anybody even read them seeing as so many of the blogging community will also be at the conference?

You may think, with all this uncertainty, nerves and general anxiety, WHY exactly am I going?

I can think of over 300 reasons actually.

The other people going to the conference.

It’s gonna be awesome!

Linking up with My Home Truths for my regular Monday morning confessional 😉

Are you going to #pbevent too?!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I’m also a green newbie going to my first bloggy conference and, having read your 54 points (while some don’t apply given I am stayiny at home) – I totally get where you are coming from because they are the same things I am worried / anxious about !!!!
    I haven’t been reading up on others blogs and studying pics so am going to totally be in the situation if anyone talks to me of trying to pretend like I know what their blog is !!!
    Clothes are my biggest issue as well !
    Don’t worry about no laptop etc – I have an iPad but going to be relying more on my pen and “I believe in unicorns” book !!
    Can’t promise about not getting mugged – but you should be OK. Maybe get a cab back on Friday night as it will porbably be quite late.
    See Yinyangmother post for what to do around Surfers – it’s a really informative post.
    I’m a hugging kind of person so – unless someone is really standoffish, they’re going to get a hug from me if they are a blog that I read.
    The road is so well signed posted, you will really battle to get lost – you’ll be fine – take a couple of deep breaths and you’ll be great.
    Just be yourself (like I keep telling myself !!) and I am sure we will have a great time !
    Work hard so you can come and play with us down here on Friday / Saturday !
    Me

    • Love you wonderful helpful tips here, “Me”. Look forward to giving you a great big hug!!!!

  3. This is a cute post! So much for playing it cool – now everyone knows just what a dag at heart you are!
    The good news is that except for a very few Super Cool people I reckon everyone is thinking exactly the same stuff! And who wants to be so cool that you don’t care about other people anyway.
    Have fun – I’m starting to get quite jealous reading all the PB posts that are going around

    • Yep, total dag alert :-). This is my first bloggy conference, I know I was quite envious this time last year. Your turn next time?!

  4. No need to be nervous!! I’m all gadgeted up but still prefer to take notes with a pen and notebook. And I’ll be the conference nerd in the front row (maybe the second row) as I desperately need new glasses and am a bit squinty.
    Looking forward to meeting you! And thanks for the plug 🙂

    • I have to say I prefer old fashioned notebook and pen too. And you are welcome! It was a very interesting and thought-provoking post. Still not sure I’ve worked out my elevator pitch yet though!

    • I’m sure I will too … just a few pre-conference jitters. Still, so glad it’s in my neck of the woods this year and that I can go!

  6. Yes! to everything on your list. This is the my first time hanging out with bloggers so I am all sorts of excited and nervous. I’m happy for a hug too..handshaking just feels so formal 🙂

  7. OMG – they are all the things I’d be worrying about + probably more LOL I’m not going unfortunately. Couldn’t justify it after spending a fortune on my photography course. I’m sorta glad though – because my anxiety would go through the roof!! Don’t worry about BB – I can fill you in on that 😉 They will all love you – promise! Have an awesome time and I really look forward to hearing all about it!! Min xo

  8. Hi Janet – Fabulous post and I totally agree with just about all of your list. I’m a total newbie too … and … I don’t even have an iPhone!!! Do you think they will let me in the door? I always take lots of notes with old fashioned pen and paper – I find it sinks in better that way and hate juggling a laptop on my knees too. I’m staying a few blocks away on my own too (even tho I live just 40 mins away), so if you want to email me and tell me where you are, maybe we can walk together to/from Friday night drinks? Surfers is OK during the day, but I think I’ll want to be safely tucked up in the hotel room before the craziness starts on Fri/Sat night. Hope to meet you there on Friday. 🙂

    • I have a special notebook just for #pbevent 🙂 any excuse to buy pretty stationery!

  9. I have a list almost as long – but we’re going to have a great couple of days despite all our anxieties! Looking forward to seeing you there!

    • I didn’t think of that – as the organiser of the event, I think we’ll let you have the title of the “Most Nervous” Darren! Glad I’m just an attendee 🙂

  10. Hi Janet, I can definitely relate to plenty of these, although I have to tell you that I kind of skim-read your 54 reasons to keep myself from getting too nervous too!!
    I’m a bit in denial about my own anxiety about the event, which will start with the plane flight. I’ve been focusing on the ‘what to pack?’ which is a challenge in itself, and stressing about the fact that I’ll probably need to wear my runners for the sake of being comfortable (tho’ very likely ‘frumpy’!!)…
    You’re right though. It will be awesome! Hope to meet you there. And hope that the fun far outweighs the fears!!

  11. I love this list and the mugging while walking to and from the conference and should I ‘cab it’ made me smile because I have been thinking the exact same things!! Janet I hope I can find you… I’ll be needing a hug and someone to hang out with too. 🙂

  12. Wow that is a long list of things to be thinking about! I hope once you walk through those doors and see some familiar faces ALL of these worries dissipate and you have the best time! Agree re: cab back to where you are staying, especially if it is late. That is not a super busy area of Surfers, so better to be safe lovely! xo Aroha

    • Or I could get the hubster to pick me up – turns out he is coming down for the weekend. Yay!

    • I’m sure I will – but I’m also pretty sure most of these thoughts have crossed ALL of our minds too LOL!

  14. I really wish I was going…sigh… You’ll have a ball and will learn so much that your brain will feel like it’s going to explode – I am green with envy! Make sure you do take some notes and share some of your learnings with us – I can’t wait to hear about your adventures Janet!

  15. I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time and you’ll be wonderful! Have a great time and learn heaps! Don’t be daunted by the technology, you’ll learn more because you won’t have any gadgets to distract you.

    Cheers,
    Lynda.

  16. You will be fine- just be your fabulous self. I would love to be going to ProBlogger but it is so expensive (flights/accom/conference tx) from Perth. Never mind I will save for next year. For $300+ a ticket I am hoping food will be provided! Darren Rowse (above) is even nervous wow! Have a fantastic time-don’t forget to blog about it!!

    • yep – we provide breakfast and lunch on day 1 (as well as morning and afternoon tea) as well as nibbles/drinks on night 1 and then on day 2 we do lunch and morning and afternoon teas. We like to provide the food so people don’t have to go hunt for it and miss out on networking time 🙂

      • Awesome! Thank you so much for answering my question thanks Darren 🙂

  17. I so identify with some of the things on your list! Am going to PB too , and have # 52 covered! Am planning to hit the beach before it starts. See you there!

    • Ooo good thinking. Thursday afternoon – will go for a walk on the beach. Will be good for the nerves too!

  19. At least you have the balls to go to one of these things. Not sure if I ever will. Anyway, I’m sure you won’t be the only nervous one. Looking forward to living vicariously through all the Twitter updates. Have a great time!

    • Never say never … one day Ness! The world needs more of your awesome bogan-ness!

  20. Looking forward to meeting you at the Blog Chicks event on Thurs night 🙂 And I can say that Melissa and Nikki are just as awesome in real life as they are on their blogs. I shared an apartment with Melissa (and Lauren from the Surprise Beginning and Natalie from Xtra Large as Life) in June last year for Blogopolis 🙂 I met Nikki at the conference. Trust me, go up to them and say hi, they are super friendly.

  23. You just made me nervous about a whole lot more things 😉 I am sure it will be lots of fun. I am a first time attendee so no idea what to expect but think it will be such a great conference from the sounds of it. Look forward to crossing paths with you if i do.
    Bec

  24. I have to say lovely lady – you are OVER THINKING IT – just rock up – be yourself – you are amazing! Have to say that having Darren visit your blog and comment is UBER cool, he probably hasn’t even heard of me, but that’s cool – I can roll with that (crying in the corner) See you there gorgeous!!! xxx

    • Oh Em I am *SURE* you are more famous than me!!!!

      Yes to the overthinking, but the good thing is, since I wrote it all down and got it out of my head, I’ve been feeling a lot calmer!

  25. Janet, you are going to be your usual fabulous self!! I just know you’re all going to have the most wonderful time and I can’t wait to read all about it. xx