Wednesday 17 June 2015

I'm not going to Britmums Live...

If you are not a blogger this post and don't know what Britmums Live is I will explain....

BritMums Live! is the UK’s biggest, two-day social media conference and blogger event where lifestyle bloggers and social influencers gather to meet, socialise, network with brands, improve their skills and fire their creativity....

This isn't a post to bash those going to Britmums Live or to be negative about the event.....I think it is a great event and there is fair few bloggers I would love to meet....I actually sort of wish I was going but the reasons I can't/won't are far bigger than the reasons I could....Well to me they are...

This is a just post about why I'm not going....My feelings. It isn't a pity party.

When I first started blogging and I first heard about Britmums Live I thought I could never attend I am so shy....I mean really shy usually the thought of meeting new people would make me feel sick but for once this isn't the worry.....It feels like I know a lot of the bloggers attending already through reading their blogs.... 


 There is the money aspect.....Stu and I manage our money well and have enough to feed, house, clothe, pay the bills, for Christmas, birthdays and a few treats but not much left over....I would have to pay for a hotel, travel, food, drink, clothes and of course the ticket then have hoped I could find a sponsor....I couldn't/didn't want to risk not being able to find a sponsor....That would be hundreds of pounds which I couldn't afford to pay....

I know a few people from the North East are traveling down to London but the thought of traveling really bothered me.....An hour on the bus to Newcastle then three or four more on the train to London, then there is getting from the station to the event...Eek!....I don't travel well. I get anxious and that is when I'm with Stu or the kids just going to Newcastle....I can't imagine the state I would be on a train going to somewhere I don't know and I don't know London at all....The furthest south I have been is Northampton when I was a child....

A few months ago we went to the Metro Arena which is near the train station in Newcastle.....We the Metro in to Newcastle Central Station and I could feel myself panicking and that was just passing through not actually getting on a train....I didn't like the hustle and bustle of it and this was just Newcastle....I imagine London to be a million times busier!

I don't really want to leave my girls.....I know they would be absolutely fine but I worry....

I can't sleep alone.....I really can't! The last time I did was before I had Becky.....Even when I split with Becky's dad and was single she slept in my bed.....If Stu is out on an evening I will either not go to bed until he is in or have Ellie in bed with me....

Going by this years agenda it finishes about 5pm and it would mean rushing to catch the train back to Newcastle....I would be panicking about the time. I would have to be back by quarter past ten at the latest to be able to get up to the bus station. Which would mean a walk through the city center alone....The last bus home from Newcastle is at 11pm.....If I miss that I will be sleeping on the street....lol A taxi would cost about £40 which I couldn't afford....I could always leave Britmums Live early but I would feel annoyed missing the last few hours....

So that's it....It might seem like sorry excuses to some people but it's my choice and my feelings....One year maybe I will get over my worries and attend....

Everyone who is going I hope you have the best time....I will be following along on Twitter and will probably be kicking myself for being such scaredy-cat....

19 comments :

  1. It does mean a lot of expense to attend a blogging conference (unless you bag a sponsor), and then there is the logistics of it, apart from the hectic schedule. I haven't been to one either! In the end, it's your choice - it doesn't make you any less of a blogger if you don't attend.

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  2. It ok to feel this way. But know that if you ever do go, lots of people feel this way. I do & I've been to the conferences for 5 years now. They are nice & friendly. And yes I still get very anxious & take my husband down to London with me. I'm not going this year, timing & expense. But i wanted to say I know how you feel. Hugs x

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    1. Thank you Susan! Sometimes I think I am the only person that feels like this after seeing all the tweets and posts about it....It's reassuring to know I'm not x

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  3. I'm not going either... although this was more down to timing as I knew that Sophia would be leaving to work in the US for three months and didn't want to miss taking her to the airport.
    It doesn't make you any less of a blogger. Be happy with your decision x

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    1. Thank you Izzie!
      I hope Sophia arrived safely x

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  4. I wouldn't go if I didn't live near and even so it still costs a lot. I am taking more of a backseat with it this year. I haven't planned going out for a meal or anything. Just want to learn a few things and have an early night. Xxx

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    1. Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful time....

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  5. I really wanted to go and did buy a ticket. However, a few weeks ago I ended up selling it. With my health I would have needed to spend both nights in London really and by the time you factor in travel (even if only from Bristol) and food (because staying in hotel obviously), it was hitting around £250-300 which is a lot of money for one of us to spend. As it happened, days after selling my ticket, I ended up having my surgery so I would have had to sell it anyway! I will buy a ticket for next year once they go on sale and if I can't find a sponsor, I will end up selling it on again unless I win the lottery! x

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    1. It is so expensive isn't it....I couldn't justify spending that much on myself. I think I need to put the lottery on more! lol I hope you are recovering well Rachel x

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  6. You totally don't need to explain yourself Kim, nobody should feel that they have to go. I'll be totally honest with you - I had fun last year because I loved meeting my blog friends but I found the event itself a bit of a letdown personally. I know thats not popular opinion and everyone else loves it, but personally...don't believe the hype! It was ok...but I didn't think it was amazing.

    I have the same worries - my anxiety around travel is awful - I cried on the train last year and was only ok coz my friends met me at the station. I cried in the hotel room at night and had a little panic attack coz I missed Tyne, and didnt like being so far from home.

    This year I'm only going because Jon and the kids are coming with me! Otherwise I wouldnt do it again alone. xxx

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    1. Thank you Hayley! Big hugs!! I felt the need to explain because I felt like everyone I know through blogging was going....It's all I'm seeing on Twitter...hehehe After today I am happy to know I won't be the only home at the weekend!

      I have never think of myself of having anxiety until it comes to situations like this...I felt stupid worrying about things like traveling and being away from home....It isn't ideal but it is so reassuring people have these feelings too.

      I hope you have a great time x

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  7. Oh I am so like this too Kim,
    I was even contemplating writing a similiar post myself!.
    I would love to meet up with quite a few people I have been lucky to got to know through blogging, including yourself! lol,
    but there is such a lot to consider when you have little ones, and then there's trying to bag a sponsor and like you say, there's the massive commute.
    Perhaps one day we will both get there and stress together! :). x

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    1. Aww! Thank you! I saw all the I'm going to Britmums and thought I would do this one....

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  8. I think it's absolutely fine to feel this way. I have never been either, my confidence always beats me. I very nearly booked a ticket for this year a few weeks ago and then my brother-in-law arranged his stag night for the same time. But I have said I will try and attend next year. To say I'm nervous would be an understatement, and I've not even bought the tickets yet!

    I think your reasons for not going are perfectly valid. I don't think I could do that long on a train either, when I go I would drive to Edgeware (near London) and get the tube into London. I've done that a few times with the Hubby, never on my own though! I don't think you should feel bad about not going, you can follow things online and on twitter and you seem to be doing a great job, even though you've never been. Keep doing what you're doing hun. xxx

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    1. Thank you Morgan....I actually thought you were going. Hope your Brother in law has a good stag night!
      I intend to follow along on Twitter hehehe

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  9. I am not going either. It is too far to travel and I really do not want to have to stay over. I would also feel bad about leaving my family. Hopefully we will have something in Newcastle one day

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    1. It would be nice to have something as big up here wouldn't it x

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  10. I'm the same I do t think I'd even enjoy it to be honest too busy too many people not great with social anxiety! I have trouble with travel well London Mao my it scares me and is so easy to get lost in! Sod that esp as I do t have any blog friends to rescue me lol is never be able to afford it coming from coming that's the biggest thing must admit x

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