Friday 21 August 2015

5 things I wish I did at #pbevent

As I've settled back into routine this week, I've spent lots of hours reliving the events of last weekend. And I've sent Toni lots of messages saying "I wish we'd done this", or "I wish we'd actually spoken to that person instead of just smiled", and while I have no regrets, I'm already setting plans for next year.

I wish I had taken more photos with my big camera. The lighting outside the meeting rooms was amazing. The piles of food were amazing. I'm surprised at the number of people who were annoyed with others for taking photos of the food. By the end of the weekend, I was apologising for taking photos (but I've always photographed the food when I go away), but I really wanted to pull out my big camera.

I wish I had felt confident enough to walk out of a session that didn't meet my expectation. Lots of people said it was ok to walk out, but I paid a lot of money, both for the ticket and accommodation, and at home, and I felt guilty about walking out, especially when lots of others walked out of the same session.

I wish I had said hello to more people. I managed to smile at Vanessa and Gayel and Louisa, and spoke about 3 words to Lucy in the line for the toilet, but I didn't manage actual conversations. The fear of the unknown kicks my butt every time.

I wish I had made note of my ideas as I had them. Despite my instructions to myself, I didn't make notes at the end of every day, and have wallowed a bit this week in the overwhelm. I'm going to spend some time this weekend going over my notes, and writing down stuff as thoughts occur to me.

I wish I had slept better. I'm not the worlds best sleeper at home, but I thought being away from home would allow my brain to relax. And it did to some extent, but it still woke me at 5am most days.

What do you wish you'd done at ProBlogger?

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13 comments

  1. I've been writing lots of stuff in my notebook this week!! But I know there's still been ideas that have been lost into the abyss.

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  2. I did not attend but I did walk out of a session 3 years ago. It was hurting my brain and I finally decided I would rather be rude and go find another session (which I did) than waste my time.

    I always have fears around saying hello and starting chats. I smile awkwardly and pray people say hi to me etc. sounds like you had a pretty great conference experience though in spite of the things you wish you had done xxx

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  3. I wish I had of been able to attend ProBlogger this year! Oh well, fingers crossed I get there next year!

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  4. I totally hear ya Cate. I didn't sleep well either and it did impact my energy levels. I wish I'd written down more ideas too instead of relying on my dodgy memory.... and you can NEVER take too many photos!

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  5. I have some wishes the same as yours: 1) I wish I had remembered to take more photo's and even some selfies with bloggers I met, 2) I wish I'd been brave enough to walk out of one session that was way wrong for me and into another one that would have been more suitable, 3) I wish I had slept better too. I was too over stimulated/excited and the pillows were too fat for me (1st world problems). In addition to those wishes, I would add 1) that I wish I'd had the opportunity to chat at more length with yourself and Toni. We only ever really said hi in passing! 2) I wish I had managed to squeeze in one of those lunchtime round table talks, and 3) I wish I had worn much more comfy shoes to the SHINE party, and 4) I wish I had been brave enough to say hi to Eden :-) xo

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  6. At least you know for next time...:)

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  7. I didn't go to PB, from the looks of the photos Ive seen it looked amazing! I think I would have been a little shy approaching people and starting a conversation. I think as long as you got something out attending then its a success.

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  8. There were actually 2 sessions I wish I had walked out of and switched to the other one so I am eagerly awaiting the notes.

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  9. I've never been to Problogger. From the outside looking in it seems as if every one is at this cool party having fun and learning while you're at home looking at their social media posts. But from reading all the wrap up posts it's clearly not like that at all. Sounds overwhelming, actually! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  10. Baby step Cate... Write a list for next time s d try to tick lots off

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  11. I'm a big note taker from my uni days so I filled up my problogger notebook with takeaways from each session. I didn't walk out on a session although there was one I should have just because it gave me nothing. I did sit out a whole session on day 1 as I was overwhelmed and got teary but I bounced back and got through it. Loved meeting you and Toni - hoping there will be more opportunities to meet in future!

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  12. I think it's awesome that you've recorded these things now so you'll remember next time. I rarely sleep well away from home, so I always make sure the last couple of nights before leaving that I get some rest. (not always easy to accomplish though)

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  13. It's hard to walk out of a session, I did it once last year and was so thankful I did, but I really felt awful for the speaker I walked out on.

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