I was at Altitude Summit last week with 400+ amazing bloggers. We all looked really super cute and had really smart things to say. The days were filled with panel talks where I quickly shifted from feeling inspired to feeling overwhelmed and back again. And in the evenings we would hang out in the lobby with drinks and self-deprecating humor.
Are You A ... Blogger?
The Outdoor Retailers convention was going on at the same time as Alt Summit. So the lobby bar was also filled with adventurers - naturally beautiful women with no makeup & cute wool hats and guys with beards & boots. I admired them and their puffy vests. One evening a group of tipsy outdoor retailers came up to a group of us Alt Summit gals with our top-knots and stripes and said "Are you ... bloggers?" - as if we were this rare species of over indulgent narcissists. So we reply "Yeah!" and they sarcastically ask "Do you blog about ... fashion?"
I'm done with their rude sarcasm and pipe in with a friendly "Yes. But I've also blogged about hiking to Mount Everest." (Somewhat of a "Let's be friends - we have more in common than you think!" plead mixed with a little "Oh hell, no.")
One of the cute Outdoor girls with blond braids and a wool hat rolls her eyes at me and says "Noted." and walks off. She thought I was making fun of HER.
We Are Hardwired To Share
So at that point I got self-conscious about being a blogger. A concoction of neurosis with self-analysis and a little bit of ego threw me into a tailspin of "What's the point?"
But here's the deal - I love my blog. It's this sacred place where I can shape who I want to be and share it with the world. Victoria said it best during her panel: "We are hardwired to want to share." So on the plane ride home I got to thinking about what it is, exactly, that I want to share. I want my life to be an adventure - from opening a small business to trekking the foothills of Everest (and soon the Carpathian Mountains in Poland) - and everything in between.
Noted.
AW HAIL NAW
ReplyDeleteWhen you really sit down and analyze it, blogging in general does sound kind of silly – writing about something you did that day or something you ate or something you wore and sharing it with a bunch of people you've never met.
ReplyDeleteBut that's the world we live in now. We have the ability to share everything with everyone, so now we do. Cause...why not? Just like people enjoy watching TV shows, they like reading blogs. It's like a written form of reality show that people can follow along with. Just a new form of entertainment in a new world. Nothing worth rolling ones eyes over...
Kathleen -- I love your honesty.
ReplyDeleteWell it seems like those other people are closed minded and are afraid to share themselves to the world. Not you! You are brave and it's respected that you have done what you have. Forget them! You are awesome!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Jjanga
www.sayhelloandsmile.blogspot.com
Thank you for addressing this. I have few readers. I am new-ish to the blog scene. I think my friends are starting to catch on...I stay home some nights to work on CSS or write about the Bachelorette Dream Team of 2013. Then I have to ask myself, "Why??!!" But when it comes down to it, I have too many thoughts to contain to myself. And I love creating my own content. Thank you for doing it too and showing that it's OKAY and you LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, done with my cheese fest now.
What happened was a collision of 2 completely different worlds. Adventurers are defined by what they do outdoors (but I'll add that the physical and mental go hand in hand) and bloggers by what they do indoors (and online). I agree with Francine about blogging in general but it doesn't mean that outdoor people don't like to share (there are TONS of climbing blogs out there), just that blogging is not a big part of their lives. The outdoors is, for them. That's all.
ReplyDeleteAs for sharing information, I think it's a matter of preference. When I started blogging in 2003, anonymity was very much the status quo; I'd make references to quitting my job and going on a climbing road trip around the western US for 3 months, then quitting my other job and going on a climbing trip and living in Europe for 3 years, but never giving the complete picture. I'm slowly starting to share my experiences, but I think some of those destinations and memories are special and don't necessarily need to be online. It's just me.
Still, I think your Himalaya trip report was nicely written and documented.
HA. this post makes me laugh... I've read a few alt recap posts from different blogs and it's comforting to know that pretty much everyone is the same deep down inside... with doubts and insecurities.
ReplyDeleteI've also felt recently I want my blog to be less about what I wear (though I will keep that in there to promote second hand shopping, being greener and vintage) and more about ... a simpler life. (I wrote way too much and deleted it - SIMPLER EMILY!!) Where was I? Yes right... I think really whats important is you blog about things you want to blog about. I'm so rambling, I got distracted by shiny objects and remembered I have banana bread in my bag. Gotta go!!!
(p.s. keep up the good work, we all love your blog - duh)
And you shoulda pulled that girl's hair out by her cute braids.
I'm shutting up now.
Hi. I found your blog via Pinterest. I'm not a fashion blogger (I blog about vintage, re-purposed, handmade stuff mostly) but I know exactly what you mean. Our blogs put us in a community of like-minded people. It's a piece of us. I know for certain that if it weren't for fashion bloggers in particular, I wouldn't have found my favorite boots or my favorite purse. And I wouldn't have started making the ruffle leg warmers that sell like crazy at our market sales. Lots of people have no idea how bloggers help them find things when they do an internet search. Or how blogging can help bring in money. And on top of that we meet some of the most amazing people through our blogs. So thanks for being a blogger!
ReplyDeleteBlessings... Polly
Well spoken friend. It was a blast but it sure feels good to get back home. Put your head down and get back to what you do best! Being you! And not worrying about those Outdoor Retailers, other bloggers, etc think or say. Glad to be home. Can't wait to hear and see all about Poland!
ReplyDeleteWORD! Bloggers unite. Fist pump, or whatever.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely spending time with you this weekend. I hope to see you again soon!
xo
Maybe too much time in the woods prevented them to forget on how to socialize nicely.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is something I personally enjoy as a way of meditation. I enjoy learning from what other people share.
Liz - Exactly.
ReplyDeleteFrancine - I think it's not only entertainment but a great way to connect when done with authenticity.
P+P / Erin - Thanks, friend.
Kimberly - Haha - thanks! I think it's okay to not share certain things. But for me it has enriched my life to share my experiences (and on the flip side read others').
Chipper Things - Exactly. I was blogging before I had any sort of audience. You should do it because you want to.
Mary Joy - Your comment is thought provoking. This post was based purely on my own personal experience and intentions. I don't think adventure and blogging are mutually exclusive at all. My main point is that I want to do both.
Deciding what to share is personal - I'm just expressing my intent of who I want to be and what I want to put out there. Which is a lot (but not everything, of course). But on the flip side I don't think sharing my experiences makes them any less special. In fact, my Everest experience was really solidified by telling the story here on J&K.
I'm fascinated by your climbing trips and your life. That is definitely a blog I'd want to read.
Emily - SHINY THINGS! Time for a blog redesign. ;)
Counting - I really love your comment. Exactly.
Meg - YES. It was nice to come home to some quiet. We need to grab lunch and debrief on our Alt experience.
Taylor K - I loved meeting you! I'm definitely going to call if Jeremy ever has a meeting out in Long Beach. xo!
What an awesome response. I cannot wait to read about your Carpathian adventures. Seriously, you have inspired me to dream & do bigger than I ever have. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't at Alt, but I went into a blog downward spiral this week, too.
ReplyDeleteBut ultimately, I love doing it and it has changed my life in certain ways. I may be tweaking my focus some, and I'll always be tinkering with the design. But I love blogging and most bloggers. I want to stop apologizing for it.
you should've snapped your fingers when you said it. ;)
ReplyDeleteyou should've snapped your fingers when you said it ;)
ReplyDeleteDear Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteWanna know what's awesome about you? Your just a little bit of everything!
keep on bloggin'!!!
My husband doesn't quite get the blog world either. I've tried to explain it doesn't have to be solid navel gazing - but it's not necessarily earth shattering to blog. I think it's a cool new medium for marketing, branding, learning, and discussion. Your thoughts? Hopefully my husband isn't drawing your ire. He's a great guy, but he doesn't really get the online community lol.
ReplyDeleteUrban Wife - What a compliment! That's going to be my new motto: Dream & Do big.
ReplyDeleteHollywood Housewife - Amen!
Andres & Candice - It's funny because I was actually being pretty sincere when I told her that and then she got all sassy back at me.
Liz - xo!
Julia - Agreed! I think if you're not in the blog world it can seem like an odd thing. And I would never try to convince someone to blog (or read blogs) who just isn't into it. I guess I'm just saying that it's added lots of value to my life. I choose to write in this space daily because I love to. I just want to make sure that what I'm choosing to share online is meaningful and authentic.
Kathleen, meaningful and authentic sounds like a blog series (I love your freelancing series). I'm working up the courage to maybe start a blog with the aim to focus on writing for bloggers. In a past life I was an English teacher and I love writing/editing.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to visit spaces like yours every day, places where "being yourself" is the point. I mean, it is. We (as in, all bloggers) don't really blog to fit in. We blog because we're proud of who we are, of the lives we've made--and we like supporting other men and women who've done the same.
ReplyDeleteSharing that confidence with the world? That is a noteworthy thing. Thanks for making the world a better place just by being you!
I am very thankful for everything that you share on your blog! I have been a follower for 3 years now and I never get bored with you. I can see why you would have insecurities, but you should take solace in knowing that there are a shitload of nosy people out there that actually do want to know what's going on in your life. I'm so damn curious and nosy, therefore I am a great, loyal blog reader.
ReplyDeleteYou can talk fashion, home design AND hiking Mt.Everest while Ms. REI's comments remind me of high school cliques. It sounds like she still has some evolving to do.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing what your doing, your sharing (and those of other bloggers)is an inspiration.
Anya
Hmm... Google sent me to this review of their privacy policies when I clicked publish my comment. Hopefully this is not a double.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that's funny about that chick. I hope she comes across your blog and realizes it was you!
Do you often (ever) encounter other Everest hikers in daily life? What's it like? What's it like when new people find out you've scaled Everest? I'd love to hear more. I imagine it's like some sort of elite club;)
awesome recap kathleen. thank you for SHARING. i know you couldn't help it. ;)
ReplyDeleteand so good to finally meet you.
Historically, many women journaled privately. Later, those journals became treasured family heirlooms where younger generations got to know about their family's past. But today, all information comes faster, brighter, and in full-color. So we blog. We share. Maybe we overshare. But I'd rather be a sharer, and make a bit of fun of myself, than not.
ReplyDeleteGo OKC Bloggers!
http://www.eccentricleopard.com/
I think rude 'noted' girl would love your blog, get lost in reading it and would be a little jealous of your talent... I mean, not that it matters...
ReplyDeleteShe might have hiked Everest, but so did you, and you have the talent to document all of it with beautiful words! I'm pretty sure her talent stops at the end of the hike as it appears the mountain did nothing to change her world view of what it means to be friendly! She must view people in black and white... surely a blogger has no idea what it means to hike? Scandelous! Ha! : )
ReplyDeleteReminds me of when dogs meet other dogs...they go around sniffing each other. She obviously did not like the way you smelled, although you were throwing off all the right play nicely scents with your comment. Some of those granola eating hippy chicks (and I am one) can be rather judgmental when they see cute fashion loving woman! Its like so opposite, its hard to swallow...or sniff in this case!
ReplyDeleteOutdoor Girl gets major eye-roll! Puh-lease! If I was an avid nature lover (like her), I'd prolly blog about that to connect with other nature nerds. She's missing out, truly. You know we love you, Kathleen. Don't let it bother you. Keep this little guy in your head at all times: Haters gonna hate.
ReplyDeleteWe should all be able to express ourselves as we want. We should all be able to climb mountains or write stories or run a grocery store or an empire for that matter, with everyone else admiring and high-fiving and drinking in the passions of others.
ReplyDeleteLife really is all so beautiful and wonderous and afterall, its such a short time.
You rock Kathleen and always will.
And it is.
Oh and I wanted to ask you to look up some stories about Mugs Stump. A world famous climber that died in 1992. He was a family friend of my husbands and his mother and my mother in law were BFF before BFF even existed! They roomed together in college and then also in finishing school..Back when that was cool! You will enjoy your reads..
ReplyDeleteHe would have liked you
I bet you Outdoor Retailer girl googled "blog fashion trek to Nepal" when she got back to her hotel room because you are just that intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThe figuring out "what to share" part can be difficult, but in some way, don't you feel like your blog pushes you to do, see, and try more? I've been witness to your evolution over the last 3+ years and your authenticity and view of the world leaps off the screen now. I've seen you become more you. That's why I love blogs & always will. So great to meet you in person. xo.
Whatever. You're every ounce of what is beautiful about the blogs. Your real talk. Your quirky adventures. Your passion. Your raw honest nature. I know you know all that too. Thanks for just being your badass self and thanks for sharing even sliver of your journey. As a avid reader of your space here, I hope you never quit. No pressure. ;)
ReplyDeleteI am a new blogger. There is so much to learn but I am learning a lot from great bloggers like yourself :) Well, I hope you can check me out: http://obsessivision.com/
ReplyDeletehello! i'm new to your blog and had to give a little shout out.. i'm doing a bit of catch up, but had to say we're rowing the same boat on diy'ing an old house (ours is from 1899) and love your silver antlers, we have the same ones in our vintage airstream (but yours are the only other ones i've seen anywhere) and love that you've included some vegan recipes. do you love oklahoma? i'm from arkansas (neighbors!) but now live in colorado.. look forward to reading more and a big hello and happy i found you!
ReplyDeletexo, tiffany
www.camp1899.com
I'm with you on wanting a life of adventure. I went around Alt saying I was a writer, but I feel like no matter what I call myself I'm always more than that. Blogger, writer, singer, philosopher, actress, scientist...my list goes on and I'm not going to let it stop growing.
ReplyDeleteHaha that is hilarious. Im a blogger just like you... but I also worked for a long time in a mom-and-pop outdoors store so i can totally relate to both sides. The hilariously ironic thing is that the people I knew who worked in that store were FAR more pretentious than anyone I have ever met in the blogging world. Don't be fooled by those wool hats and beards... they have they're own brand of "holier-than-thou" narcissism. : ) They just hide it well under all the layers of Patagonia. Or in the case of the girl in your story... they don't.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, I got a good laugh out of your little anecdote. I'll be at Alt next year and sincerely hope that the conferences coincide again. lol
amanda
www.appleblue,org
You guys! Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.
ReplyDeleteAmanda - It's funny because I felt like being an aspiring adventurer myself that I too could see & relate to both sides too. There are definitely some bloggers who might take themselves a bit too seriously but I'm not one of them. I guess the same goes for the outdoorsy types too. I hope to run into you next year!
I love this. And you. We need to own these blogs of ours.
ReplyDeleteI love you, Miss Amy. I regret not getting to spend more time with you (and the sisterwives) at Alt. BUT ... I might be in your neck of the woods soon. xo!
ReplyDelete