Lessons from Alt: More Than Photobooths and Pretty Desserts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 8:22AM ;)
Me, Jill (TerraSavvy), Leslie (Lights and Letters), Megan (Not Martha), Brianne (The Ravenna Girls) - Rue La La Mini-Party
Not that photobooths and pretty desserts aren’t awesome, because they are. I just want to start my Lessons from Alt series with some bigger things that I learned, mostly about myself, while I was there.
I am not alone.
There are lots of extroverted introverts, and many of them are design bloggers or Pinterest makers. I used to think that there’s no way I could be part-introvert because I like to chat. Although, I’m much more into REAL talk. Small talk can be difficult (and boring), and I had to spend some time hiding behind my camera by the time the last night of parties rolled around. I’m social, but then I absolutely NEED my space. It was nice to meet other people who described themselves in the very same way.
I can approach strangers and talk to them, even Heather.
I really wish my husband could have seen me introducing myself and talking to strangers. I used to get heart racing anxious when I had to introduce myself in a group where everyone was just standing up and saying their name and department they worked in, so actually walking up to a stranger (especially one that I admired), was as likely as traveling through time in a telephone booth. I guess in a way I should be “grateful” for my bout of postpartum depression since the treatment has some social anxiety benefits that I never would have experienced otherwise.
I can hold up my end of a videotaped interview with the founder of a well-known design website.
I can even come up with a clever way on the spot to describe my design aesthetic - Todd Selby meets toddler. Hmm…should I have gone with Toddler Selby? Seriously, I would have not been able to do this a year or two ago. I would have been terrified. And I was nervous, but hey, Cottonelle is going to choose one person who participated in these interviews to fly to NYC and be interviewed by Jonathan Adler. How awesome would that be? Hey, Cottonelle! Pick me, pick me! I’ll be your best friend!
Maxwell also liked my water bottle and made it one of his Daily Finds. That made me happy.
Image by Justin Hackworth
Bloggers are people too.
Even though I’m getting much better about this stuff, there were still some bloggers/artists/other superstars that I am sort of in love with and was nervous about approaching. Later I found out that there were some people that felt that way about me. That was a weird realization, and so eye-opening at the same time. I’m not scary, and I like for people to come up and talk to me. That must mean that at least some other bloggers/artists/superstars feel that way too.
I love Jasmine Star.
In addition to being able to meet and learn from bloggers I already loved, Alt introduced me to even more of them…like Jasmine Star. The Building a Personal Brand panel that she shared with Camille Styles, Cassandra Lavelle of Coco + Kelley, and Hunter Sebresos of Concept Hunter was one of my favorites. There was so much energy, passion, and real emotion that came through during that session.
Though not a new-to-me person, I felt the same way about Anne Sage. She and the other women on the Kickstarting Your Next Project panel (Lisa Congdon, Liz Stanley of Say Yes to Hoboken, and Rena Tom) are authentic, creative, and grateful to be doing what they love. As is Ben Silbermann of Pinterest. Alt Summit is filled with truly inspirational people.
Image by Justin Hackworth via Not Your Average Ordinary
If you don’t bet on yourself, nobody else will. - Ben Silbermann, Founder of Pinterest
I really do believe in myself and feel more confident than ever that I can do this.
Yes, there are a lot of fantastic bloggers already out there. Yes, it’s difficult and labor intensive to create a career out of blogging. But guess what? Lifestyle and design bloggers seem to be a supportive, if neurotic, bunch. Hey, how do you think we get all this shit done?
While I have a million things on my Alt Summit to-do list, there were a lot of things that I learned that I’m already doing right, which was very reassuring. I met a lot of people that I feel like I can go to for help and advice when I need it. Attending Alt Summit made me feel like I was a “real” blogger and I was part of something bigger…an amazingly creative and fun blogging community.
I feel so grateful to be a part of all of this, and my hope for 2012 is that I become more involved, meet more people, and make many more steps into turning my dream life into a reality.
And, well…yes. Desserts should always be pretty, as well as taste good.
What about the rest of you Alt Summiters? What did you learn that really stuck with you? Did you surprise yourself? I’d love to hear your stories!
If you have posts on your own blogs, feel free to share the links on my Facebook page and in the comments section. I’ll also add them to my Alt Summit 2012 pinboard so we can go there and find everything Alt on those days when we need a little creativity pick-me-up. I’ll be tagging people and being more descriptive on the pins once all the Alt Summit blog posts slow down.
Let’s keep this conversation and camaraderie going until Alt 2013! I miss you guys already. xoxo
alt, blogging, creativity, food, friendship, inspiration, lessons from alt, photography 
Reader Comments (16)
Ooo, good wrap up. You stated some of the best stuff! And I love your photo at Ruelala. Cute idea for a photo booth!
Yay, Mel! You so ROCK and INSPIRE.....You make me want to write....blog....just put it out there. You make me smile! :) xoxo
Thanks, you guys! xoxo
It was so great meeting you ..and we both hit some of the same talks. This is a wonderful recap, and TOTALLY describes how much ALT had to offer...and more. Thanks for sharing and hope to see around the blogasphere again soon. xo Jennifer
great recap! i can totally relate to you on so many of these points.
Thanks Jennifer! It was great meeting you too. See you next year! :)
Thanks Lyndsey!
all very good posts, especially that first one - hoping to meet you next time around!
This was a great write up and you hit the ail on the hear about being an extroverted introvert. Completely agree about Jasmine Star. She was so authentic. I'm bummed our pathes didn't cross at the conference. You are definitely someone I would have enjoyed meeting. :) Caryl (www.heycaryl.com)
I like the lessons you learned! :) Funny but the biggest things I took away were from the keynotes. Everyone was so amazing.
The altsummit hashtag was so helpful in literally tagging along with everything that was going on. Thanks for this summary (the Anne Sage quote is brazilliant!) & further cementing my now crazy crush on the altsummit universe. 2013. Gotsta go.
well said! cool recap (I didn't take lots of notes so I am getting a few from here) :)
Fabulous recap! I am still working on mine...kind of breaking it out day by day! My head is still wheeling from information overload! Sad that we didn't get a chance to meet in person....so many people and not enough time! Next year for sure!
great recap melanie. i am totally an extraverted introvert, or am i an introverted extravert?? haha. anyway, i really am sad i didn't get to meet you in person, but i know we will meet next year.
Thanks, guys! There were so many people that I didn't get a chance to meet this year. I hope to get to know you better through the interwebs this year and meet up at Alt 2013.
Me too Tammie! I hate that I missed you. We'll definitely meet next year.