I was busy with the Alt Design Summit all last week and guess what? I didn't cry in the bathroom even once, no one accused me of shopping at Coldwater Creek (at least to my face) and I was able to learn so much and meet so many great women (and one man...who I already knew...because he's my brother-in-law) that I just can't seem to get this stupid smile off my face.
Now I'd like to talk about 2012. I know it's been weeks since New Years, but being behind is my thing, remember?
I've had a few epiphanies come to me while I was at the conference that I am pretty sure are going to change my life.
I couldn't be more serious.
It all started with Ben Silbermann. (Yeah, the dude who started my favorite virtual toy Pinterest.) He spoke at the conference and he said something that his parents used to tell him growing up. The words struck me so intensely that they took the breath right out of me. As soon as he said it, I knew that this was going to change everything:
If you don't bet on yourself nobody else will.
Suddenly my life made sense. As confident as I am in my abilities, I've never put all my eggs in my own basket. I've always let something like not having enough money or beauty or brains stop me from putting all of my money on ME. I love putting it on other people (which is also a good thing), but not on myself.
In that moment I realized that if I don't overcome this I will never be who I want to be. Never. Somehow that epiphany allowed me to push out those insecurities (though I'm sure they'll attempt to make an encore) and when I did that I felt a surge of strength. This feeling that I can be the person I was meant to be.
This is the year that I bet on me. I hope it's the year that you bet on you too.
Watch out 2012, this basket is full.
(Photo of the new me courtesy of Alt Design Summit and Heather Nan Photo)
20 comments:
amen, sister. Wasn't his talk AMAZING? I loved, "Move fast and break things." It's not something I can share with my children--yet--but something I need to take in myself.
I can't wait to see what 2012 does for you, Elle!
Great photo and great lesson!
Glad you are back!! :) Hahah and so happy you neither cried nor were accused of shopping at Coldwater Creek. Hilarious.
That is such an amazing piece of advice!! Thanks for passing it along, Elle!
YES!!! we are SO on the same page! lovin you
Great post! :) Love it. Looks like everyone had a blast at Alt Summit... I just might have to go next year!
YOU go girl! Go go go Elle! so excited for what's to come...you famous person, you:-) xoxo
I love your alt recap post. i had similar feelings to you.
it was so good meeting you at alt!!!!
I love this.
love this post. i was at alt too (too bad i didn't meet you!)... wasn't ben's speech just amazing!! worth the cost just for his speech alone!
Love it! Thanks, Elle.
this makes me so sad that i missed ben's speech, but thanks for the post. you're awesome!
hey! SO great to meet you too! and what a lovely space you have here. :)
I am seeing a trend for 2012! this is me... totally. love it!
LOVE this. i have been thinking about it since i read it yesterday and just had to come back and say thank you.
Couldn't agree with you more!! Thank you so much for this post, it came at just the right time. xx
Elle! This is so great. I love this post. I'm so glad I got to meet you. You looked darling. I loved your sweetness too. Let's be friends, and get together! :)
thank you for all of your kind comments!
@tammie: i wish i could've met you too!
@nomadic gnome: thanks so much for your comment. sometimes it is weird revealing things that are important to me and not knowing how it was received. i think you understood it exactly the way it was intended.
@felicity: i'm so glad. that makes my day. xo
@sarah: yes! REAL friends! it was such a pleasure to meet you as well and i've been lovin' your blog!
Hey! I think I sat by you quite a few times, thought I would say hello. Loving your blog and your photos from the Style Yourself camp are amazing!
You are a good person to bet on.
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