I'm trying to move outside my comfort zone a bit. It's so easy to stay in your little cocoon...wrapped up in the familiar with the same friends day after day. But there's always room for more right?? So when I had the opportunity to meet with some local bloggers I hesitantly jumped at the chance;)
This blogging thing takes on a whole new dimension when you actually meet someone face to face. It's a little scary taking that next step. Will they like me? Will I look the same...be the same??? Are they knife wielding stalkers...HA! So you can imagine the nerves I felt as I met with Suzanne from Privet and Holly and Heidi from Wonder Woman Wannabe. We'd exchanged comments for a while, but meeting was like a blind date.
With Suzanne we met at the General Store. One of my favorite haunts. I wasn't surprised at all to find out she was just as sweet in person as she is with her comments. So genuine and warm. She even brought me chocolate! Seriously is there anything better than that:) We laughed and shared and had a lovely time. It was nice chatting with someone about blogging. None of my real life friends do that...so to find another local gal who did was wonderful.
Then the very next week I got to welcome Heidi to Minnesota. She just moved here from the south and is getting acclimated. We met at IKEA...another favorite place of mine. I brought my chicks this time, so she even got to meet them. Oh and she learned their real names. Now tell me that isn't special:) We had a great time shopping around and of course we had to take in the IKEA restaurant. Did you know I'm a sucker for their meatballs and mashed potatoes?? She's just a sweetheart. I hope to connect with both of them again.
It was good for me. Sometimes moving out of that comfort zone is important. We need to be stretched a little right? I love the quote that says something like "do something that you are afraid of everyday". I'd love to make that a daily habit. Move towards the scary. Sad that making a new friend can be scary. Am I a weirdo or what??
Have a blessed day.
hahaha now here's a post I can totally relate to!
ReplyDeleteWell, if you ever decide to go international, you know where to find me!
I am the exact same way. It's scary to meet new people, but worth it for the chance to make new friends. Good for you for stretching, it takes me forever to do those things. Ikea meatballs and mashes always help! They are my fave, too!
ReplyDeleteWould love to meet you to talk across a plate of meatballs someday.
ReplyDeleteSeriously. That is a line I never thought I would ever say...in my whole.entire.life.
Ha!
~mary~
I laughing at the previous comment: "talk across a plate of meatballs someday".
ReplyDeleteThis is good, Becky.
I'm one who naturally struggles to do this sort of thing with regular, real-life friends. I have a friend coming over today for coffee and coffee-cake. I haven't seen her in a couple of weeks. I'm nervous about it. But its stretching. And Good.
Blogging has been so good for me in this way, too. I think I may have to take that quote you shared to heart and "just do it"...Do something that you're afraid of, everyday. Uhmmm.
I think this is awesome. Wonder Woman Wannabe and I have been emailing back and forth a little talking about maybe having some sort of bloggers get together here in the Midwest. All of the bigger blog conventions are all too far away. Maybe at the MOA, that would be fun. Lots to see and eat there.....
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog today. I have really enjoyed reading through some posts. I look forward to my next visit!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely scary, I totally agree. I've never met any "local" bloggers, but I have met plenty to who live far away! It would be a real big step for me, if the chance ever came up. Good for you, though!!! You just never know what kind of friendships God might have in store for you there. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love Ikea's meatballs and mashed potatoes too -- so random and funny. What a fun time meeting bloggy friends! And you are right, it's a step out of the comfort zone but very worth it :)
ReplyDeleteFUN~ I love that you titled this post "blind dating" LOL! ;-) I have met a few bloggers....definitely a little strange at first, but so much fun! How exciting to have even more friends....who knew the blogging world could open so many new doors?
ReplyDelete~michelle~
Meeting blog friends is a wonderful experience...like getting together with old friends. I met two in May and had a great time. So glad you had two great blind dates and got to go to your favorite places. I'm sure you were a joy to meet :)
ReplyDeleteIt is scary meeting new people...putting yourself out there! I know exactly what you mean. Sounds like you had a fun time getting to know these ladies:) Congrats on 400 posts! Looking forward to 400 more...maybe by then, I'll get a chance to meet ya!
ReplyDeleteIt is scary to meet new people, even when you have chatted with them online. It is a whole new world when you meet face-to-face. I am so glad that you got out of your comfort zone and met up with them, as scary as it is, it is 100 times more wonderful to make a new friend!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 400th post!!! I look forward to many more!!!
Wow, 400 Becky!!!
ReplyDelete400!
I loved meeting
you and have
now chalked up
four blind blogger
dates since May.
I think it gets
easier each time;
And each meeting
has been so very
rewarding! It
is fun to get to
know the {wo}man
behind the curtain,
as they say! And
you are just as
dear and warm in
person as "on
screen." I agree
about the stretching
of comfort ~ absolutely.
How can we tell our
kids do it if WE
don't??
xx Suzanne
PS: I'm gonna e-mail
you about Junk Bonanza!
Oh girl~ it's so great to meet local bloggers and I'm sure that they just adored you. what's not to love? :)
ReplyDeleteDo one thing every day that scares you ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
ReplyDeleteI love that quote too!
I just met Terri from La Dolfina when I was in California so I know the nervous feelings you were having! I'm sure the gals were just as nervous to meet you too! Looks like both meetings were a success!
Check out my post "La Dolfina is my new Bestie!"
Really, meatballs and mashed tators from ikea??? Yuck!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun times!
Congrats!!! It is scary making friends and starting a BLog( it was for me)So great to be able to meet blog friends in person:O) Thanx for sharing Isabel
ReplyDeleteBecky,
ReplyDeleteThis is SO me. Now that we've moved I'm thinking "I have to be a new version of myself. one that isn't scared of new people!" lol This weekend there's a writer's group meeting locally and if it weren't my son's birthday I would definitely be going. I am forcing myself to go next month for sure!! :)
Looks like FUN meeting these girls!!
wow oh wow - congrats on 400! i'm halfway there and can't imagine what else i could possibly write about! : ) i'm totally scared, too, when it comes to getting out of my comfort zone. new friends are fantastic... as long as i can get myself to meet them! so glad you got to make some sweet new ones! oh, and i had no clue that ikea had a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteyou definitely inspire me to stretch out (as you put it) - and I too had the privilege to meet Suzanne at my sale in May...she met with other friends and came both days - we had lunch together outside...and she's super sweet - and very energetic!
ReplyDeletei was very nervous the first time I met a blogger- but now we are the best of friends!
Congrats on 400 posts, that is a lot of time, love, thoughts, words, and pictures. 400 seems so far from where I am today. I am rounding the bend on 50! Hehe!
ReplyDeleteI am proud of you for trying something new, and super jealous! I would love to sit and have coffee, meatball, doughnuts, or whatever with you! Anytime! : )
Here's to ANOTHER 400!!!!
Yeah 400 posts, you go girl, and cheers to 400 or more!!! And it is always good to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people, I think you learn more about yourself when you do! glad to hear no one was a knife weilding stalker!! lol! ;)
ReplyDeleteHow fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Heidi, but I recognized sweet Suzanne right away. It's no surprise to me that two of my absolute favorite bloggy babes would get along so swimmingly!
Happy 400! :-)
I have to check out these blogs now, since they are local gals. And I can't wait you next week! I will be in touch soon.
ReplyDeleteCheers to 400! And Cheers to 400 more!
ReplyDeleteI never like getting out of my comfort zone - but when I do I'm always glad I did. So why don't I do it more often then?
Love your blog!
Heather
PS I love the music you put on your page too!
ReplyDeleteIt's not weird to be apprehensive when meeting new people. I've been like that my whole life.
ReplyDeleteWe moved almost 2000km south of all our friends and family 6 months ago because of my hubby's work so I have had to make new friends. Fortunately, it is easier if you go to a church every week and people get to know you. It takes me awhile to really let people in though, but it's so worth it in the end.
As for moving outside your comfort zone, I'm going to be doing that this weekend. I'll blog about it next week, so stay tuned.
Ky x
You are not a weirdo. You're very brave. I have the hardest time meeting new people! Good for you and I'm glad you had fun.
ReplyDeleteway to go on the big 4-0-0! that's awesome! i agree with the friend thing...sometimes it's just plain intimidating meeting someone for the first time!
ReplyDeleteAlicia
Ps: I'm not from Mpls, I'm from SD, but every time we go to the cities we HAVE to stop at the General Store...love that place!!
Making new friends isn't scary at all. The older we get, the harder it seems to get. When we are kids, it happens all of the time. We are surrounded by our peers (people our own age who are more or less going through the same stuff). When we get older, the world shifts. Everyone is different. Their experiences are different. Their life is different. The amount of pain that they have suffered in their lifetime is different. Pretty much the only thing that remains the same is that niggling fear from childhood, "Will they like me?" Of course, that wouldn't matter if you hadn't already decided that you liked them based upon their writing. What you are forgetting is that they decided the SAME THING.
ReplyDeleteGlad you met some of your bloggie friends. That is awesome.
Let me rephrase my first sentence. Making new friends is scary.
ReplyDeleteyou are so NOT a weirdo, because I just went to a BBQ the other night where I had to talk to people and I was terrified! And then I just went on and on about some story from my freshman year of high school like an IDIOT. I think they still liked m though.. .but scary! I think it's so cool you got to meet Heidi. I don't know the other sweet girl, but I've read Heidi's blog and she's precious. What a fun time... and IKEA!? Yeah!
ReplyDeleteHey when are you ever going to be in my neck of the woods! i'd love to have a latte with you! Needed to read your post today.... leaving our comfort zone has been what we are doing this week and it's been so hard. Thanks for reminding me that good things do happen when we reach,
ReplyDeletexo,
LuLu
Well, woo to the HOO for 400!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a treat to meet up with you!! If I didn't scare you too bad, I'm up for a repeat anytime;)
-h
Your not a weirdo. Meeting someone new who reads your blog can be scary but it can also be lots of fun too. :) I love when stops me at one of my favorite stores and tells me that they read my blog. I never heard of them cause they do not leave remarks. It's nice to meet them though. I have made a few nice women who became my friends but for the most part I am a little cautious due to one not so nice experience.I'm glad that your meeting other bloggers in a public place. That is what I did. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 400!! Amazing
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 400th post! A lot of bloggers never make it that far. Here's to another 400!
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun to meet other bloggers in real life. It has definitely been one of the best things about the blogging experience for me so far--the friends I've made as a result.
Have a great weekend, Becky! :-)
I love that quote so much too...I had it written on my chalkboard for awhile:)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you met some fellow bloggers...how wonderful!
Ok, next time PLEASE invite me!!! I love me some meatballs and I live right by the General Store!
ReplyDeletexo~Jill
No Becky, you're not weird. In fact talking to new people is one of the hardest things for me to do too, even at church! If I notice a visitor I have to give myself a pep talk during the whole service just to make myself go talk to them at the end. It is terrible I know, but like you said, it is good for us to stretch. Good for you for stretching, you have inspired me to do the same. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 400 posts! Here's to many more great ones!
ReplyDelete