Last week I was fortunate enough to meet another blogger.
When she suggested that we meet I was in at least two minds about it. I am fascinated by people, but am often uncomfortable around them (and always uncomfortable in groups).
Nevertheless, I put on my big girl panties and said yes. And had a truly delightful time. My blogging friend can be found here.
I have now met two of my fellow bloggers and had a lovely time with both of them (The first of the bloggers I met in person can be found here). Perhaps I should stifle my feelings of social inadequacy more often. Tread on them firmly.
When she suggested that we meet I was in at least two minds about it. I am fascinated by people, but am often uncomfortable around them (and always uncomfortable in groups).
Nevertheless, I put on my big girl panties and said yes. And had a truly delightful time. My blogging friend can be found here.
I have now met two of my fellow bloggers and had a lovely time with both of them (The first of the bloggers I met in person can be found here). Perhaps I should stifle my feelings of social inadequacy more often. Tread on them firmly.
after about a dozen blogger meet ups, i've had very good experiences, with only one challenge. it can be initially awkward, though, as many people are far more out-going on the electronic page than in person.
ReplyDeleteglad that both of yours were pleasant! hope all's well!
daisyfae: I am fascinated by how much some of the people I have met in the blogosphere have come to mean to me. I think you are right that it is easier to be open and outgoing behind the shelter of our screens.
DeleteWe are finally making steady steps (small) in the right direction. Yay. And thank you.
I have the social anxiety, as well. I always dread meeting with people, but then usually have a wonderful time when I do. I'm glad you got to meet another blogger and had such a nice time.
ReplyDeleteJenn June: I think a lot of us do suffer (and the suffering can be big) with social anxiety. Which is sad.
DeleteI understand your trepidation--we have our online and 'real-life' personas--and sometimes it is nice to keep them separate. That said, I have met about a dozen of on-line folks, often at conferences, and it has always been a thrill. If anything, the connection grows stronger. Good for you--there are so many folks I want to meet someday, especially certain ones down under :^) Peace...
ReplyDeleteLinda: I was a lot more relaxed in my blogmeets than I am usually in meeting new people - I suppose a lot of the social niceties have been dealt with in a way. Lovely experiences with both women.
DeleteIf ever you could get to Oz, I would be more than happy to don my big girl panties again.
"When she suggested that we meet I was in at least two minds about it. I am fascinated by people, but am often uncomfortable around them (and always uncomfortable in groups)."
ReplyDeleteYou & I are two of a kind, Dear. Glad you went and found a friend.
Thank YOU for your fine comment
at my humble blog, dear friend.
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^=
Cloudia: There is nothing humble about your blog. It is always easy on the eye, and often thought provoking as well. I am grateful to have found you.
DeleteGood for you! And how appropriate, time-wise. I just left a comment for you the other day on my blog, about how I'd love to meet you in person some day! Since we're on separate continents, thousands of miles away, it may never happen....but how knows? Maybe I'll win the lottery and get rich! LOL!
ReplyDeleteBECKY: Do you know I can remember you saying that there were bloggers you would like to meet and it didn't occur to me that I was included in that number. Lottery wins required?
DeleteThrow your social inadequacy out the window, out the door or trample all over it. Its better than being a prisoner, really what's the worst thing that can happen?.
ReplyDeleteWindsmoke: You are more than likely right. Just the same...
DeleteI am hugely nervous meeting new people. I can talk to anyone but because I am an introvert it is not very comfortable for me. I think that is the reason I love blogging. I get social interaction without having to go out!
ReplyDeleteBirdie: I think there are a lot of us that feel this way.
DeleteI understand your hesitation, but it's so good to hear that it worked out well.
ReplyDeleteDave King: It was delightful.
DeleteI totally understand how you feel about that - I always wonder if I'll live up to expectations, or something. But I am certain yours were delightful meetings - I had a look at their blogs and both seem interesting.
ReplyDeleteThere was a blogger I used to read who was in Atlanta for a convention and wanted to meet me in downtown Atlanta one evening between 5:30pm and 6:30pm and then she was off to a dinner. Going downtown (especially at that hour in the winter is a huge undertaking - it's dark, parking is horrible, etc.) Anyway - I just couldn't do it for a limited time like that and she was offended and never came back to my blog.
Lynn: Both of them are very interesting, and I doubt that our paths would have crossed but for the blogosphere. Another positive brought about by playing here.
DeleteThe blogger who couldn't accept your perfectly reasonable decision doesn't sound like a loss to me. Instead I think I could say definitively that the loss was hers.
I don't know what to think about these bloggers meetings exactly. I would like to meet people I write to and I'am afraid of it a little. We behave naturally and feel at ease at Internet, and "in reality" is... different and strange sometimes.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm glad You had a wonderful time on these meeting :)))
Ken.G: Exactly. I was a little afraid, but it was wonderful. So either my blog persona is close to my real one or she was comfortable with both. I won either way.
DeleteI can relate to this ;-)
ReplyDeleteI said on another blog recently. "Blogging is like being a book without a cover" and as I'm so often judged by my "cover", blogging is liberating for me, in that people read the book first.
I'm pleased you went ahead and met the other bloggers. You know what those feelings of social inadequacy are . . . Lies! Stamp on them!
You've really helped me today The E's C, many, many thanks x
bugerlugs63: Sad the number of lies we believe isn't it? Thank you. I also am glad to have met the other bloggers and to have had my world and my horizons broadened.
DeleteHow wonderful to step out of one's comfort zone and find that it was a pleasure, rather than a trial. I wonder how many bloggers are that way: uncomfortable in the first stage of meeting someone but soon becoming "skin" friends too. We know so much about each other already. I am going to a weekend retreat with five other bloggers in October, only one of whom I have met. Being outgoing, I am not worried, but most of the others are already a little nervous, they say. Hugs to you, dear EC. I am glad to hear from you, always.
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you for your kind words. It was out of my comfort zone. It was also very rewarding. Will I be anxious about meeting more bloggers if the opportunity arises? Yes, but I will have two positive meetings to spur me on.
DeleteI am sort of hoping when I eventually get back to visit Canberra that we can meet. I'm sort of nervous and shy (although I know people find that hard to believe) but I really would love to meet you one day. How exciting for you, and you look good in big girl pants - lol. xxx
ReplyDeleteKakka: If ever you do get to Canberra yes we should meet. And I would be nervous. Big girl pants are the only ones that fit me, so I should wear them more often.
DeleteI'm impressed, being a social recluse myself. It takes guts that. :)
ReplyDeleteCarrieBoo: It did take guts, but was well worth it.
DeleteI find it so fascinating that blogs in itself are slowly, perhaps quickly fading out into micro blogging (Twitter & Facebook statuses) where you really can't get to know someone well enough. With blogs, it's like reading letters from their heart, in my opinion. I'd rather read a personal blog than a newspaper. That's just me. I've met only 2 other bloggers to which our minds connected on every. level. And it was nice because we're still friends till this day. You know how they say "get it all out in writing" when you can't think of anything to say? ---- With blogs --- the person's heart is all poured out, which gives you a good sense of who they are. Facebook? Eh, too fake for me. Glad you enjoyed your experience!
ReplyDeleteDeb: I don't play on either Twitter or Facebook, at least in part because of the superficial nature of such contacts. I have certainly felt that my contact with at least some other bloggers is far from superficial, and is based on the real people. Magical.
DeleteAnd I did warm to both of these bloggers very, very soon.
EC, yes I'd have to win the lottery, not a mega-million one, but at least a few Big Dollars to be able to afford to fly to your awesome continent!
ReplyDeleteBECKY: Lottery dreams can be awesome. I had always thought that Antarctica was just that until it came true for me. Perhaps Australia will come true for you. Dreams...
DeleteI am so glad you were able to meet your blogging buddy and that the experience was a very pleasant one. I have only met one of mine, Diane who is in Brisbane (Adventures Before Dimentia blog). Gregg and I met up at the hotel she and heer husband were staying in, and they were fantastic. We had such a lovely time with them. I look forward to meeting other blogging friends one day.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I am glad that your experience was as positive as mine.
DeleteHow wonderful! I met one blogger by chance (she was my daughter's HS friend). If I am ever in your neck of the woods, I will definitely try to meet up with you.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Thank you. I hope your blog meet was great.
DeleteThat's great! I am shy too, but meeting up with Claire in London last year was a blast.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: It seems that a lot of us here in the blogosphere are shy. I wonder whether we are missing out on pleasurable experiences. Probably, but whether I am brave enough to fight my anti social tendencies is a whole new kettle of fish...
DeleteYou are a brave lady. That's an interesting observation about bloggers being shy. I think you may be onto something.
ReplyDeletebarbfroman: I find it much easier to reveal pieces of myself here than in person - which may be true of a lot of us.
DeleteSo glad you met up and made a new friend!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: It was truly lovely.
DeleteThat's funny how many of the comments are from people who also don't warm easily to face-to-face contact. I include myself in that group. Perhaps there is a certain personality type that blogs... or that reads your blog!
ReplyDeleteEllen: I am not certain whether it is true of bloggers in general - but most of the ones I receive comments from seem to fall into the same anti-social category as we do.
DeleteI've met a couple - enjoyed both.
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: I am glad that you enjoyed your fellow bloggers - but am also interested to find out whether you too have anti-social leanings.
DeleteI'm excited for you. I think meeting them one at a time is a great idea. I met up with a lot all at once at the Aussie Bloggers Convention last year and it was too much all at once, I was overwhelmed and anxious. if I had the chance to do it over, I'd definitely opt for one on one.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I remember thinking how brave you were to go to the Aussie Bloggers Conference. I would have been completely overwhelmed and probably skulked in a corner somewhere - always assuming (unlikely) that I agreed to go. One on one is definitely the way.
DeleteI adore meeting other bloggers! They're like the best friends I never met! You're a little far away for "tea" but if I was in the neighbourhood I would insist on dropping in and visiting with you and all the beautiful birdies at your feeder. So glad you had positive experiences both times!
ReplyDeleteCathy Oliffe-Webster: Isn't it amazing how close and how real the friendships we make here are?
DeleteYou're always fun, honest and colorful and apparently, so is your new friend Persiflage :). Kisses, I'll always return with huge interest to your blog :).
ReplyDeleteunikornia: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteI'm pleased about that. I'm much like you, I'd be hesitant, all the more so if I liked them alot actually, worrying the off line might not be as perfect as the online, but it wouldn't stop me, especially as I have often wanted to pop over and have a cup of tea with my blogger friends.
ReplyDeleteAll Consuming: Thank you.
DeleteI'm delighted it turned out so well for you and your two blogging friends you have met in 3D reality :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I personally wasn't wearing "big girl panties", I'm fortunate enough to know a number of blogger friends in the world beyond my computer screen.
It's good to challenge, with caution, our sensation of feeling rather inadequate in social settings. This is most positive.
All the best and have fun :)
In kindness, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star! Co-starring her human, Gary :)
klahanie: Everyone should wear big girl panties from time to time, and thank you and Penny for your good wishes.
Delete~~~~Dear E,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are actually meeting some of your fave. bloggers face to face.
That can be quite scary. Right?
I've met 3 bloggers...and I was REALLY nervous. I mean, I was wondering if they'd be like their blogs / writing, you know?
They were. Thank Goodness for that....
I'd love to meet YOU someday <3 We could laugh and cry together! Xxx
My Inner Chick: Scary, and well worth it. And yes if we were to meet we could and would laugh and cry together. And then do it again.
DeleteI wonder about my fellow bloggers as I would love to meet any if they came to Cornwall, so a shared lunch if you ever come this way. Glad you blog meets were so positive.......great stuff. :)
ReplyDeletethe cuby poet: My mother came from the UK and always said that Cornwall was one of the most beautiful places in the world. Your latest post illustrated that beautifully. I am sure that there must be fellow bloggers/poets/artists there that would love to meet you.
DeleteI was terrified the first time I met other bloggers. Silly me chose to do it 150 at once! It is very surreal to meet these people you think you "know". It gets better the more often you meet and you get used to not "clicking" with everybody, no matter how much you love their blog.
ReplyDeleteI hope there are many more bloggy meets in your future.
Dorothy Krajewski: One hundred and fifty bloggers all at once would have had me velcroed to the carpet under the bed refusing to come out. You are very, very brave.
DeleteDear EC, a fellow blogger and I will meet in January. She is a much younger blogger whom I've met through her writing and have come to know via phone and all the help she's given me on various projects. I find myself eagerly looking forward to meeting her while at the same time, hoping she doesn't have unrealistic expectations of who I am or what I look like, etc. etc. etc. I think we must all have moments/days/months of hesitancy! Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: You are such a warm and honest person I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed in the reality that is you.
DeleteI've never met my blogger friends. It's about time! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteElena: Welcome. As I said, I was nervous, but with the benefit of hindsight it was wasted energy. I had a lovely time with both bloggers.
Deletei am just that way when it comes to meeting "new" people offline too. and really i prefer the one on one meetup, i just don't do the group thing. it would be such a sad thing if the person you've come to enjoy a lot online isn't at all that person offline. it can be especially tricky when it's a language barrier of sorts too (i mostly read english-written blogs). so far i've had a lovely time whenever it has happened though! i like the expression "put on my big girl's pants", must remember that whenever i hesitate:) i once read in a book that when you have two options, always go for the one that gives you the most resistance, it's the one that will teach you the most. that thing stuck. (not that i always live by it, but i keep it with me all the time when i have options.)
ReplyDeletePia K: I like the theory that one should always take the hard one - but wimp out too often. Must try harder. Thank you so much for your visit to many of my posts today - I appreciate it.
Delete