Today is the day! I can't believe Alt Summit is already here. I'm so excited to see old friends, meet my online friends in the real, & make NEW ones. (& speak! Ahhh!)
It's starting to bring back memories of last year // & I wanted to share!
Last year, my first year attending, I went alone. Yup. ALONE. It was the most terrifying experience getting off the plane, & being thrown into a see of print & pattern & giggling women (ok, there was like a handful of guys too). I'm not an extrovert. I get nervous & awkward when I'm in new surroundings meeting new people. I'm quiet (initially) & an observer.
Being alone meant that if I didn't step out of my comfort zone, I would leave with a bit of inspiration, a little more knowledge, but no memories. So I did it, I stepped out. WAY OUT. I went to the panels alone, keynotes alone, lunches alone, parties alone, BUT left with so many new friends. Gosh, ALT attendees are so friendly. I'm not going to lie, it was uncomfortable, but it was stretching (in a really good way). I even made myself go up & talk to SwissMiss, & not just be like "I'm your biggest fan", but actually have a full-on conversation.
To sum this little vent-session up: I went by myself knowing NO ONE. & left with so many new friends that I have kept in contact with this whole year. It was the coolest thing.
I can't wait to jump on the plane in a few hours, and hug my friends when Liz & I arrive. We are also rooming with the gorgeous Alex of AVE Styles // so I'm pretty excited to get to know her better!
If you want to keep updated on all of the fun, follow Liz & I on twitter //
@welikewelove
@welikeweloveliz
OR
instagram //
@welikewelove
@welikeweloveliz
//
See you when we get back & wish me luck! (I speak at 9am on Thursday!)
xx
A.
hello! much like you last year, i am attending alt ALL by myself! i'm definitely a bit intimidated, but reading your post about how positive your experience was last year has made me feel great about going in there tomorrow & making lots of great new friends. thanks for the boost of confidence... i needed it! best of luck at alt... maybe i'll see you there :)
ReplyDeletexx
katie beth
www.thefairpeacock.blogspot.com
Best of luck! You're going to be amazing. You are such a genuine person, everyone will just love you. What are you going to be speaking on?
ReplyDeleteGood luck Alyssa! You'll do amazingly! Love you xo.
ReplyDeleteI love that you shared this, as I am attending ALT all alone this year. I'm thinking of it as my "there's no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone" experience so I'm just going for it! Good luck speaking and I would love to say hello after your class. :)
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog and am so glad I did to read this story. I love the honesty in how you describe your personality and how even though you were nervous, things turned out to be really nice. It strengthens me in trying not to hide the fact that I'm not an extrovert either.
ReplyDeleteLove, E.
xx