Although I was incredibly nervous to attend a WordPress Meet-Up last night, I did it. I pressed through my anxiety, my doubts and did it.
I converted my review site, Ann Again and again Reviews, to WordPress.org about a month ago. To understand the enormous differences between Blogger and WordPress is proving to be difficult for this ol' noggin' of mine and through generous help from a blog buddy I was told about a class, or actually, a "meet-up" for WordPress Bloggers where all questions are welcome. I needed to attend this meet-up. I thought I would be the most clueless person there, but I had to go.
The event was last night in downtown and the fact that I found a parking space right by the front door gave me hope this was a sign that things were going to be all right. Once inside the building however, my happiness turned quickly to anxiety when I couldn't find the meeting room. There were no directories, no boards, no signage of any kind notifying which room the meet-up was in. Crap, I thought. I am in the right building, right?
I walked around the first floor and listened for voices, or music, or any noise that would indicate there were other people in this building. It was 6:30 and traditional office hours were over. Finally I heard a voice down a hallway. I followed the voice and found a poorly lit room full of people that were staring at me while I was looking at them. Is this the right place? Hmmm, let's see, every one had a laptop in front of them, everyone had glazed eyes and a blank expression. Yep! This is the place!
Thankfully there was a spot for me at a back table. I got myself all set-up with my electronic do-dads and tried to look like I knew what I was doing. The thing is, I kinda did. The more breaths I took, the more I listened to our instructors, I realized that I knew what was going on! For the most part anyway. The dreaded "Introduce yourself" motion came to me and Oh-My-Gawd I hate that, but I did it. What felt great was that I was applauded when I said 'I recently converted from Blogger to WordPress.' Nice.
I had my main question answered and made connections with two WP Masterminds that have me feeling calmer about my transition. To be in a room with people who were speaking the WordPress language, and to actually understand at least of smidge of it, made me feel energized. I am so glad I forced myself through my anxiety and went to this meet-up.
How are you with going to events? Joining groups? Are you out-going and positive? Or, do you have a touch of anxiety like me?
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