Reflecting on #britmumslive

I'm writing this sat at Euston station, killing time until my train back to Birmingham. I'm surrounded by bags and my shoulders ache from juggling these bags from shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand. My girly pink Converse are pinching my toes. My bra is digging in and I've had to tie my hair back as I'm feeling uncomfortably warm. 

I've already wandered around the station shops, bumping into displays and making the obligatory purchase at Paperchase. I've just left BritMums Live after two days of chatter, seminars, meet ups and celebrating all that it means to be a mum and a blogger. 

 As I left the bubble and babble of BritMums, I was shocked by how quiet the streets were outside. It was as if someone had turned the volume down. Cars seemed far away and other people were distant to me. I didn't know where I was walking and meandered down the road until somehow I stumbled upon Moor Street underground. 

 It was an odd feeling, to be alone, after the constant flurry of friendly and somewhat familiar faces and snatched conversations on the stairs, in the loos and everywhere in between. I had never been to BritMums before but I am so glad that I took this time out to attend. I got to meet so many bloggers who I follow, tweet, admire on a daily basis as well as meeting all new people to follow, tweet, admire.

The past two days have been intense, with so much to take in and places to be, people to see. I think I'm slightly shell-shocked to be on my own, with my own thoughts and it's hard to adjust. In a couple of hours, I will be home, I will see my husband and, if he's not long been in bed, I will tiptoe into Ethan's nursery and plant a soft kiss on his forehead. 

 I feel a little melancholy if I'm honest. Perhaps it's because I've been away from my bubba for so long. It has felt like a long time. It's been a fun, exhausting, inspiring, overwhelming experience. It's made me realise how many talented people are out there. How I'm one of them, I guess. How much more I can do. Want to do. 

 In many ways, BritMums felt like being at school again. Searching the sea of faces for someone you might know, or who might know you. For me, drifting from group to another, keen to say hello to so many people, not sure where to belong. Learning new things, gathering new ideas. Leaving as a slightly different person to the one who first came in, fresh faced and eager to please. 

 I met so many people and want to thank anyone and everyone who said hello or had a chinwag with me. I hope I didn't come across a complete nutter and I hope we'll talk more in the future. 

 I am so grateful to Udo's Choice for being my sponsor and if you haven't entered my competition yet, go check it out. 

Here's just a few names of a few faces I did see who I'd like to say hi and thank you to: Alex, Charlotte, Alison, Katie, Gemma, Andrea & Archie, Lucinda, Jade, Emma, Natalie, Cate, Tom, Donna, Donna, Aby... and so many more besides. 

I'm taking away with me some great advice and even greater blogger friends. I have new mantras, for my life and my blog. To know where you're going, you need to share where you have been. Always tell your own truth. Value your voice. 

 And the one thing that has particularly struck a chord with me: you can't be all things to all people. You can only be you. And that's ok.

A mini highlights showreel... enjoy!