Hayley Goleniowska has had a busy life lately and it was only when she paused for a moment this week did she realise that BritMums Live was imminent and it was going to be even bigger than she anticipated! A finalist in the Inspire category with her blog Downs Side Up, Hayley tells us how she coped with her sudden realisation…
In all honesty, life has been rather helter skelter of late. I’m still unpacking from our recent holiday, tackling a laundry mountain the size of Krakatoa and a higher than average number of school commitments. Add to that speaking at a conference for Special Needs Co-ordinators and a charity coffe morning, well, I haven’t really had much time to prepare for the BritMums Live until now…
I’ve had the underlying notion of excitement for a while though of course; bubbles and rushes of enthusiasm, an eagerness to glean as much as I can from every session, a determination to really get to know all those other wonderfully supportive bloggers I brush past in cyber space.
Pride to have been asked to speak and a sense of responsibility to get it right for all the families I represent.
A serious need to make the future a more accepting place for our children.
But secretly, selfishly, I have been mostly savouring the thought of 2 nights off, a bit of adult me time, a spot of respite. It will be only the second time in 9 years that I have been away from the children and my husband.
Well, only two nights ago did my husband and I sit down and really read the itinerary for the Live event. Daddy Downs Side Up looked over his glasses at me and said, “I don’t think we realised the magnitude of this, did we.”
I nodded. We didn’t.
Business cards were hastily ordered and Fedexed in. Excitingly, a delivery man has just been chased down the drive by a chicken as he brought them safely too me. How real, how grown up, is all I can say on that matter! (Having business cards, not being chased by a chicken.)
Until now my nerves have mostly been about leaving Cornwall for the big smoke all by myself. I am a country bumpkin and blogging novice, but I am relishing an excuse to dig out my favourite dresses and have my nails painted bright pink for the event. I am seriously contemplating teetery heels for the evening parties and might even squeeze in a blow dry to tame the frizz tomorrow.
Now the adrenaline is flowing a little more freely, which is good. It’s motivating me to read more around the others attendees and their blogs, and prepare for my talk.
So enjoy the excitement fellow Live goers. I can’t wait to see you all there.
And don’t be nervous, what’s the worst that can happen? I for one will be double checking that my skirt is not tucked into my knickers, and with that one covered, the rest will be a breeze.
You can chat with Hayley on Twitter at @downssideup.
Did you catch our earlier post today on how other bloggers are preparing for BritMums Live? You can see it here: ONE MORE SLEEP!
About
BritMums is the UK’s original collective of lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers, fueling the country’s most influential social content. We lead the online conversation with members who are parent social influencers creating content on topics ranging from food, parenting, travel, politics, style and more.
Stephanie NImmo
Thursday 21st of June 2012
looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow - have decided to wear white jeans, maybe a bad move with all that talk of red wine and cake!!!