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Greetings from Savannah, Georgia! I am writing you from the airport, after having a mechanical failure yesterday on the plane, extra overnight stay, and wouldn’t you know it- this flight got hit by a luggage cart or something, and now cannot fly. As I write this, we may, or may not, be leaving at noon. Because, apparently “investigations take hours,” and they don’t want to book me on another flight because apparently there aren’t any? It’s too early for beer and now, it is Monday…so hopefully writing will soothe my nerves. I’d already had problems flying out to Savannah, then, apparently now I’m having trouble getting home.
Aside from the flight drama in both directions, I absolutely adored Savannah. I haven’t spent much time in the south, in fact, FitBloggin brought me to Georgia for the first time in my entire life, and, later, I’ll be attending FinCon in New Orleans, also, a first time for me! It turns out, I absolutely love places that are on the water and I don’t mind the hot weather.
One reason I was able to adjust to cold, cold Chicago from coastal California was that I knew the water was close by. Winter, of course, was totally awful, but I knew warmer days near the lake would be approaching soon. Turns out, I’m not a huge fan of being landlocked. Put me next to the body of water, it doesn’t matter how hot it is, and keep a drink in my hand, and I’ll be just fine.
Fitbloggin this year was just what I needed. Conferences serve different purposes for different folks at different times in their lives. For me- this conference was essential to reconnect, share ideas and thank people. Last year, I did more “bloggin” than “fit” and this year was different- I showed up in Savannah, ready to rock what I’d been working on in the past year.
In Portland for Fitbloggin 2013, I attended a ton of sessions, but you could. not. wake. me. for a workout. This year, it was a mix of brainpower and physical stretching- plus plenty of rewarding moments with friends new and old. Being able to see your former Fitbloggin roomie teach Insanity & sort of, kind of, keep up with her, is pretty darn awesome. Getting up to run with buddies you’ve kept in touch with since last year (Erica & Kat, you rock!) when previously, you would have hit the “snooze” button just feels like a new chapter for me. Running in the humidity with two Floridians who do it naturally, was a challenge- but I met people along the way who I could keep up with.
The runDisney 5k fun run at Fitbloggin in gorgeous Savannah, GA..see more pics on Insta!
This year, I was honored to speak at the conference about what I’d learned as a blogger- how to bootstrap & DIY your way to success. I had to build this blog on a really, really tight budget. Along the way, I made a LOT of mistakes.
I learned one thing- we all start blogging on the same level playing field. It doesn’t matter if you’re a neuroscientist or a boast 10 years in PR & marketing, most times, you start from the wobbly sea legs of blogging that we all possess.
Some bloggers have been really successful simply because they were early adapters. They have been made successful from a lucky break. Good for them, no need to piss on their success whatsoever- but, it’s also no reason to worship them. We are all just people, some though, hit their stride a bit earlier in the race, but we can’t know their journey just from a sideways glance.
I’ve noticed bloggers who had various levels of success who tout themselves as “experts” but couldn’t tell anyone how to do the same. That, in and of itself, is not expertise. It’s not craftsmanship. If someone can’t lead you into the deep waters, don’t follow them in if they’ve never had to do more than doggy paddle. They’ve been an expert swimmer in the shallow end- don’t fret.
This doesn’t matter if you’re working on a blogging goal, a fitness goal, finance goal or if you’re just on a quest for happiness- everyone has their own unique dues to pay and there aren’t any sexy shortcuts. There are, of course, a few goldmines that people have struck it rich with, but don’t chase mirages. Nobody can promise you that same gold, and if they are, chances are they have a PayPal account ready. You have to strike it out on your own, but take friends with you- not gurus.
I speak at conferences about blogging, and I’m very humbled to do so. I’ve coached and spoken with people in order to help them, not promise them anything or conversely, make myself look better. I worked hard for where I’ve gotten so far, and it’s my goal to help others do the same. I don’t sell magic pills, and I can’t say that my way of working is a way of working for anyone else.
If anything, the success I’ve had with this blog has given me a servant’s heart. People helped me along the way, and when I am around other bloggers, I want to help them, wholeheartedly. If someone has an honest question, I give honest answers. I participate in the community that’s given me so much, in whatever way circumstances allow. I’m happy.
I’m lucky, very, very lucky, that I have great friends and colleagues who have pushed me. I’m humbled, blessed and grateful. I emerged from the other side of a few storms to create a life I could sign off on, if tomorrow was my last check to cash.
Blogging has changed my life, and I hope that this blog, in a very, very small way has impacted yours. If you’d like to keep up with my adventures, I uploaded a few fun pics from Fitbloggin on Instagram and tagged all the amazing bloggers I could on there. Since wifi sucks right now, please check it, since I want to give some link love, but wifi is not cooperating. Awesome bloggers, you know who you are.
A rainbow from the plane en route to Savannah…how I would love to be in the air heading home right now…or seeing a pretty rainbow would help too.
Also- if you’ve had three flights with mechanical problems and spent a ton of money on airport food and missed an event plus a day of work- what are your options with that airline? Customer service at Delta have been very sweet, but honestly- three flights all with problems is a bit too much for me to handle, especially now with a missed day of work and spotty wifi & expensive food at these airports. They offered me a teeny travel voucher that won’t make up for an entire trip that’s been messed up in both directions and cost me a LOT of money to sit here for an extra 12 hours total with delays and cancellations, in addition to missed opportunities.
My overpriced coffee this morning was $6.10 this morning from Starbucks. I drank it but there’s nothing that makes me grumpier than have to subsist on three unplanned meals at an airport with pricey, gross food.
Sorry you’re having flight problems. They are the worst. I hoep you get to leave in a few minutes!
Thanks Ali! I didn’t get to leave until about 2:40 after a few cancelled, then uncancelled flights and switching airlines, but got out before a major storm hit Chicago and am now thankful to be in my home as the heavy rain and thunder hit!
I hear Twitter is the place to complain about customer service these days! Especially about airlines.
They were really great on Twitter with customer service on the way out, on the way back, not so much- but I totally agree, reaching out on Twitter is great. I had to call customer service 4 times when flights got messed up and they helped..but man.. it was a crazy 2 days!
I second taking this all to Twitter!
I miss you all already 🙁 Love what you had to say here thought, and you have given me SO MUCH to think about and work on these next few months!
I wish we could have gotten to hang out! There are so many people I wanted to meet and not nearly enough time to do it! I was not happy with my Delta experience either. I hope you get home soon!
Buy travel insurance when traveling – it would’ve compensated you for the delay, food – granted, not much can make up for loss of work :/
Hang in there – be nice, as I’m sure you’re being to the gate agents and make it known on social media as they do pay attention for the most part.
Good advice Heather, I’ll have to keep that in mind…. We almost ran out of fuel on our way to Atlanta, *yikes!! and then, on the way out, we had mechanical problems…twice. That was awful luck!
So sorry to hear you’re having travel problems – I also had issues with every single flight both to and from Savannah for FitBloggin’.
I don’t like Starbucks quite as much as I did before this trip 🙂
Hang in there!
I know right? Starbucks and I are having some time apart after this trip and my $6 latte. Yikes!
Find guides not gurus — perfect advice 🙂
Thanks so much! I’ve learned in my 3 years of blogging, it’s all about finding friends to take the journey with and a few good mentors- not the “gurus” who try to sound like they know it all!
I can’t believe I missed that you were in town! I’ve recently found your blog and am a big fan. I hope you got out of town okay, finally, and am very glad you enjoyed yourself here. I might have actually passed you on the road at some point this weekend. We started training for the Tower of Terror 10 miler on Sunday. If you’re still stuck let me know and I’ll see if I can help you out at all. At least I can bring you some decent food if nothing else!
I’m so jealous you’re doing the Tower of Terror 10 Miler, I haven’t done that one and it looks super fun! Thank you for the kind offer to help out if needed, seriously.. kindness like that makes up for the extra day of travel Thank you!
I have the worst air port luck as well, I hope things start to look up for you! <3
I was so sad I was still in a boot and unable to go to fitbloggin', it killed me to cancel my reservations. I loved following everyone on insta though!
I’m so bummed you couldn’t make it Ashley but hope you continue to heal…and at least we stay in touch on social right? 🙂 Distance isn’t too bad with Twitter!
LOVE the statement find a guide not a guru! how fantastic.
Delta actually lost my luggage last week on my trip home from France and I nearly missed my connection due to delays…in the next airport hung out for hours due to another delay.
I agree they were nice, but it’s frustrating. I think you could probably get them to give you a bigger voucher if you call again.
Glad you made it back home safe even though a little late. Thanks for this post. I am thinking of starting a blog and mentioned it to a friend on my birthday this past Sunday. Do you recommend any conferences, websites, etc that I use to get started? I live in South Florida. Thanks!
I absolutely loved your session at Fitbloggin! By far my fave – I really appreciate people that give their all and are honest – you rocked it.
So sorry you got hosed both ways with Delta. Your presentation was great and it was a pleasure to see you again.
I will say that you would have loved running the 10K – the run-walk-run method (with Jeff Galloway!!!) was something I never did and now, I might be a convert. I felt great during the run (except for the 100% humidity) and recovery was nothing!
Hope to see you sometime soon!
It was great to meet you after your session on Saturday. Your presentation was very good and very helpful! Congrats on all your success in running and blogging! Hope our paths will cross again soon 🙂 Mabye when I’m up in October for the Chicago Marathon. xo
Great posts! I’ve been feeling rather discouraging about blogging lately. I’ve been suffering from not only a lack of motivation about my blog, but direction as well and seeing a bunch of others have instant success or lucky breaks really brings out the green eyed monster in me. But, after having a talk or two, I am ready to have an attitude adjustment and really start treating my blog like a business. The CEO is me!
I almost always fly United – way better service and they have upgraded us to an earlier flight when there was room – no extra cost! I am glad Savannah went well but that you were stuck there for a while.
I just recently discovered your blog, and I’m already in love! I’ll be going to FinCon this September and hope to run into you! Your words, especially about everyone having their own dues to pay, are very encouraging! I’ve been struggling to find success with my blog, but I’m now starting to realize that “success” is 1) relative and 2) not the main purpose of my blog. Everyone blogs for their own purpose and “success” will come in different forms. Thanks for that reminder!
Who knew my 12 hour train ride would have been after than flying?! Glad you finally made it back. Hopefully you got some good writing done.
I’m glad you finally made it home! Those storms that came through were no joke.