I started this blog . . . and then BAM.
I don’t really know why I started this blog.
No. That’s not entirely correct. When I started this blog in 2009, I was writing a weekly newspaper column. The main purpose in creating my blog was to post my columns on the internet and become nationally syndicated and the rest would be history.
Funny thing happened.
Not much.
Not with my columns, of course. That part didn’t really puzzle me. What did was the lack of commenting and interaction.
Because I didn’t understand the community of blogging. Blogs are not only about writing and hitting publish and going on with your life.
Blogging is writing and publishing and reading other bloggers and commenting on their thoughts and words. It’s interacting with your readers.
I finally got it.
Blogging is relationship. And when I did get that — it became fun and rewarding.
When I started five years ago, a lot of what I wrote was about my children because that’s what my columns were.
My children are older and nothing makes them crazier than hearing from a teacher or a friend’s mom what they read about them on my blog. So no more of writing about children.
What to write?
There was the me that turned 50. And hormones and moods. Color the gray or no. Sex and . . . no sillies, I haven’t written about sex EVER. Not that I can remember anyway.
But the great news is there are a lot of midlife bloggers out there and last weekend I went to the Bloggers at Midlife Conference, BAMC 15 and it was incredible.
Anne Parris and Sharon Greenthal brought their online community at Midlife Boulevard together in Nashville.
Can you find me?
From the opening gathering above on Friday night — it was over 24 hours of fun, friendship and finding out what amazing women are out there in the blogosphere.
Such a great, inspiring group of speakers. Starting out with Elisa Camahort Page, a co-founder of BlogHer to Martie Duncan, a finalist on Food Network Star, Season 8.
BlogHer’s Alicia Camahort (left) chatting with equally inspiring Danyelle Little @TheCubicleChick
Every woman who took the platform shared an amazing journey to where they are today.
Between their words and the words of all the women I met, the one take away from BAMC15 for me was REinvention.
I was fascinated with all the stories outlining all the different roles we’ve had in ourselves.
How things that seemed misfortune — crushing misfortune in some cases — moved us forward.
Confession. My humor bread-and-butter is self-deprecation. Always has been. It’s so much easier, and safer, to make fun of yourself.
So now, I’m in a pickle. How do I bemoan about gray hair, bad knees, expanding midsections — that now familiar fold of fat that appears when I sit down.
I feel some what traitorous to this beautiful band. (And to me, darn it.)
Well, it is what it is and I am what I am.
Newly inspired about this time in my life and this community of kindred, yet oh so unique, spirits.
Some of my photos from the conference.
Okay — when I see this pic my first thought is those lovely creases around my eyes are payment for all the hours spent on the beach. *sigh*
I got to meet Cathy Chester!!! For reals! And talk with her. She blogs about her wonder-filled life as wife, friend and mother in New Jersey (I love talking with people from New Jersey. They think I have a Southern accent.)
Cathy writes candidly about life after a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis on her blog, An Empowered Spirit and other places, such as HuffPo. She’s darling. Cute and silly. If I find silly, I’ve found a friend. Or someone I’ll stalk till they like me or I get served with a restraining order.
Talk about inspiring — take Doreen McGettigan (above at left). A writer and blogger who wrote Bristol Boyz Stomp, a memoir of her brother David’s senseless murder and the journey for justice.
I could go on and on about the writers and bloggers I met yet I hate to start listing women because of course I’ll leave someone out.
Maybe I need to do a post featuring someone and a blog every month? How cool would that be? You know what the road to hell is paved with.
I will, I promise.
Any of you who consider yourself at mid-life, or the calendar says you are — what are your interests? What makes you excited? Leave an answer in the comments.
I’m sure I can find a blogger out there to inspire you, and even write a self-deprecating post on such myself.
Blogging @ Midlife –> her new frontier. I think.
Wasn’t it amazing? I had a great time at BAMC15 and can’t wait til next year!
One of the highlights of BAM was being able to spend some quality time with you. You are my best audience! I loved getting to know you better than I already did through NaBloPoMo.
Many thanks for your nod to me. I look forward to the next time our paths cross, which I hope is sooner rather than later.
The Goil from Joisey sends you many hugs!
hugs….y’all come down for some sweet tea on the porch. xoxo
Agreed!
Jamie, wasn’t it awesome?
Yes, I think re-invention is the word that keeps coming back in my mind, over and over again!
Here we go: re-inventing! Onward!
A lovely post. Glad to meet you here, maybe in person at BlogHer?
Definitely. The problem I have Susan is I want my reinvention to be a clear path. Not one overgrown with detours and roadblocks. Maybe it’s the interruptions that will help me get this reinvention figured out. So enjoyed meeting you.
I’m happy to read that you were able to attend. My husband was giving a paper at a technology conference the same weekend (and we have non-driving teens and a dog). Maybe the stars will align the next BAM conference, and I can attend and meet you and other midlife bloggers in person. I’m glad that you had a good time.
Funny thing is about all that self-deprecation is your so dang beautiful. Great to see you, friend. xo
Juggling life defines our role to play doesn’t it Karen. I was lucky Nashville was an okay drive and there were no other conflicts. BAMC16 definitely something to put on the long-range calendar. Hope we do meet —
I would love to go to BlogHer Carol. So many of those women I met, knew each other from the midlife meet-up from BlogHer. It always seems to fall that first part of August when school starts up here. My children are spread out — college to elementary school. It makes getting away hard that time of year (for the younger ones.)
It was amazing Elizabeth. Lots of hard work by Sharon, Anne, Theresa and Beth paid off. And we were the beneficiaries.
Hey silly — been meaning to write you but this is the first time I’ve sat down at my desk the entire week. Thanks for your nice words, but you look amazing… We need to talk. 🙂 Seriously, sorry that we didn’t have a lot of a chance to catch up but looks like you got a great thing going on with the Nashville bloggers. And was so touched by your words about “the empty nest.” hugs and want you to be a post soon.
Jamie, there’s a lot of stuff stored in a crease. And not all of it is smelly, 😉
You look marvelous! It’s so awesome that you got to spend time with Doreen McGettigan. She’s amazing as are all of you. What a great conference.
All the best!
Those darn creases. If only we could iron them out. Pooh.
And yes, I agree. Doreen was so interesting. She’s written and writing other books as well as all her blogging endeavors.
My husband and I say YES! (I just read your post to him out loud…smiling.)
Miss you already!
Wasn’t it the best? So glad I got to meet you, Jamie! Your writing is fun and quirky, just like you. I hope I see you again next year.
Thanks Helene. I learned long ago — no sense running from my inner goof. 🙂 So glad we ended up across from each other at dinner. Want to head up to NYC and hang with y’all. ASAP
You two are my new favorite power couple. 🙂 xo
I’m so glad that we met at BAM, Jamie! Can’t wait to read your blog now that I know you. Next time you’re up in the Northeast (BlogHer is in NYC this year!) let me know and we’ll get together for dinner. xo
I’m up for a visit to the city and a PARtay with my BAM besties.
I have read several people’s posts about this conference and it looked wonderful! I will definitely have it on my radar for next time. The blogging community is a never-ending source of amazement!
It was s lot of fun Andi. Everyone was so welcoming.
I wish I could have went this year. I’m hoping next. I have a hubby dealing with health issue and wouldn’t think of traveling during this time. It looks like you had a blast. I love the pics and the post!
I’ve never made it to BlogHer because of the time of year and having school age children. They start school early August. Sometimes the timing just isn’t right.
So great to meet you at BAM. It was a special weekend as you mentioned.
Good to see you Judy. I enjoy your blog.
I can definitely say that BAM changed the way I view myself and other women my age. I’m glad you were a part of it! It opened me up to more possibilities than I could have imagined.
Alicia
spashionista.com
My blog is my hobby. Originally it was to create that all important platform but I see it will be awhile before I get there.
I have enjoyed the social part of blogging. I look forward to one of my favorite blogs popping up a new post. The crazy thing about blogs is fairly insipid ones have a huge followings. Too many blogs are a hard sell of something.
I’ve actually reached that part where I know how to step up my game. And this is where I know it is a hobby. I have other fish to fry.