Today I’m hungry for spontaneity.
I can’t remember exactly when I started reading healthy living blogs or how I came across some of my favorite daily reads but I do know why I was intrigued. I related to the topics of fitness and nutrition, the desire to live a healthy lifestyle and how to go about doing it while still having fun. I started to follow a couple of bloggers on Twitter but I didn’t comment much or interact. I thought about starting my own blog. Billy and I shared a travel blog for all of our friends and family to keep up with us on our adventure to Belize last year so I was quite familiar with WordPress.com.
Shortly after Billy and I got engaged in May, I began researching Nutrition courses, considered going to Grad School, thought about getting my Personal Training Certification (something I still consider because I’d love the knowledge!) and ultimately decided to become a Nutrition & Wellness Counselor. I’m passionate about the inner workings of people which is why I majored in Psychology.
On May 20th, I woke up like any other day and started up my laptop. I was only following about 30 people on Twitter at that time. I saw a tweet about tickets going on sale for HLS. Hmmm, what’s HLS? I clicked through the link and briefly read about the Healthy Living Summit being held in Chicago August 13-15. I glanced to the sidebar and saw some familiar bloggers. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TOOK OVER MY BRAIN but I clicked through to buy a ticket. My heart was racing. I was going to buy a $75 ticket to an event I knew practically nothing about in Chicago. I live in Dallas. Was I supposed to ask my brand new fiancé for permission? What was I doing??
I clicked through and entered my credit card information. I sat there for about a minute afraid to confirm my payment. Then I clicked. I got a notice saying there were NO MORE TICKETS. I almost started crying. (Dramatic!) I have no idea why. I didn’t even know what I was missing at this point. I emailed Meghann and told her I had a ticket and was trying to check out but lost it and was there anything I could do… Before she could respond, I received an email from Eventbrite with the subject line:
Space is now available at 2010 Healthy Living Summit
I opened the email:
Tickets have been released to you for this event.
I purchased my ticket.
Then I sat in disbelief that I’d done something so spontaneous.
Then I immediately bought the domain for the blog I’d been thinking about but too nervous to start.
Then I signed it up on WordPress.com.
Then I called Billy and enthusiastically told him about my plans for Chicago. He was so excited to see me jumping to action.
Then I found 3 amazing stranger roommates for the Summit.
Then I started blogging on June 7th.
And now? Now I sit here typing this with such ridiculous excitement that I get to meet the amazing people I’ve come to know and love over the past 8 weeks of blogging. I feel extremely confident in my spontaneous decision. And I know how truly fortunate I am to be able to attend HLS 2010.
Things to check out:
- Healthy Living Summit website to see what it’s all about including sponsors, speakers and agenda!
- Heather’s post if you are interested in submitting questions for a panel discussion session on “The Ups and Downs of Pressing Publish: Getting Real about the Blogging Community”
Are you attending HLS? Please leave me a comment so I can be sure to meet you in Chicago! If you aren’t attending, I believe the event will be will be live streamed online. I’ll post more details as the time approaches.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so excited to meet you at the HLS! I don’t remember exactly how I found the HLS, but I remember feeling like “is this a good idea? i’m not the healthiest person ever!” then I started to see all the people signing up and what a great group it was going to be. Now I’m so excited I could pee myself!
I’m attending and am looking forward to meeting you! With so many fabulous women attending, HLS is going to be awesome! Look out Chicago!
YA! for stranger roommates – can’t wait to meet you in a few short weeks. Until then keep blogging because I’ll be reading
What a great post! I’ll most definitely be at the HLS in August, so let’s make a date to meet up!
i love this post and learning the story behind decisions! i won’t be going to HLS, but I would love to next year!
p.s. i totally know you’ve already picked your wedding photographer, but if anything changes and you need someone to come to italy with you for the wedding…just sayin’
Minus the engagement, this sounds almost identical to me! Spur of the moment decision to get a ticket, it was sold out, got the email the next morning, started a blog. Looking forward to meeting you!
I love your spontaneity (probably because I am so calculated in everything I do) YES I am definitely going to be at HLS and I will be presenting the Time Management and Organization session!
i just got a ticket myself, Looking forward to it!!
I have chills reading this… I am SO excited for you!!
I *SO* wish I could be there… I remember reading everyone’s recaps last year, and told myself – start a blog, get involved, and GO next year! I did two out of three, and one of my best friends is getting married that weekend so I have to wait… NEXT year for SURE!
I loved reading this story, sweet friend. I am so excited for you, I will be there with you in spirit.
I did a similar thing as well! I live in chicago, and decided that attending the HLS will be a good way for me to branch out. Looking forward to meeting you
Great story! I knew I wanted to go to HLS when I saw all of the awesome recaps from last year’s event. I’m happy I was able to get a ticket for this year.
i watched the entire HLS streaming last year and was so bummed i didnt even attempt to buy a ticket. i knew i would regret it if i didn’t this year…….im so happy bcos i was thinking….at first…..well maybe i wont have fun since i dont know anyone. now i know that i will. can’t wait to meet you, and everyone else!
I am incredibly excited to finally meet you. Cannot wait to catch up in person.
Look at how much you’ve changed in a few months. It’s been a pleasure checking in on you daily from afar!
I had no clue you had only been blogging for such a short time. Wow! And I have to say I’m jealous you took that jump to go. I badly want to go. I’m going to make it happen next year. Oh, there better be a next year.
Aww I loved this story!! I can’t wait to meet you- I’ll be there with bells on!
This post made me smile
What a great story! i can’t wait to meet you in Chicago!
I’ll be there too! And I can really relate to your story. I don’t know how I stumbled on the blogs I read daily now, and I too started by just reading and following along on Twitter, but not commenting.
See you in Chicago! I know it will be a fun time and we’ll learn a lot too.
awesome story! i was kind of the same way with HLS.
anyways, i used to live in dallas, before moving to philly, and decided to stop by and say hello. and hopefully we will actually meet at HLS.
So excited to meet you!
And I just have to say.. I LOVE your profile photo!
Such a great story! Seems like everyone is really excited…I can’t wait to meet you!
I’m going! I already live in Chicago so it was easy for me to plan (once I got a ticket from the waiting list!) I just started blogging a few days ago. How did you tell people about your blog?
Love this post. I’ll be there….I’m excited to meet you!
I’ll be at HLS…can’t wait to meet you!
I’m attending too! I kind of had the same feeling about getting my ticket. I kind of went back and forth before they went on sale and told myself, “If you get a ticket, you’re meant to go.” I was lucky – I was at work when tickets went on sale & somehow got one
Looking forward to meeting all kinds of new friends there & hoping I get the motivation to blog again – its been lacking lately 
I’ll be there too
Love this post! I had some HLS drama when I failed to buy a ticket in time. I nearly cried when I realized they were SOLD OUT. How could it be? Last Friday, I was tweeting away when someone needed to sell a ticket. Immediately, I bought it! I booked a flight…HLS or bust! Hope to meet you there!
I JUST learned about HLS yesterday, a bit too late in terms of making travel plans and much too late for there to still be tickets. It sounds like it will be amazing, so post all about it!!
I just got off the waitlist and got my ticket. I’m uber excited!
aw, sounds like a great event! i’ll have to try and catch it online.
I’m going and I am SUPER excited:D I can’t wait to be thrown out of my comfort zone and go to a place where I know no one (you know, except via online:)) who love the same things I do.
Great post!
I thought I left you a comment before but now I don’t see it! I will be at HLS, and speaking! Can’t wait to meet you!!
I want to know exactly what Truman will do about this..
Thanks,
Mable
How inspiring?!! I love your guts – to do this before you even started a blog! AMAZING!!!
I don’t even own my own domain
I’m actually hesitant to because I’m not sure the direction of my blog..or how I fit in in the “blogworld” – and I kind of really want to change my name – but not sure what to yet!
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