an adventure to the Altitude Design Summit

Tomorrow morning I’m heading out on an adventure. It’s the kind of adventure that requires business cards and gold jewelry — a rare kind of getaway for a full-time mom. I’m heading to the Altitude Design Summit in Salt Lake City, which is a conference for creative bloggers and entrepreneurs.

I’ve been familiar with Alt since 2011, I think, and I’ve listened to keynotes online, followed the #altsummit Twitter feed, and gleaned as much as possible from other bloggers’ written recaps. Up until a few weeks ago, I expected this year to be the same — learning as much as I could from a distance. But on the day after Christmas, I won a ticket through a random giveaway on Instagram, and so this year I’ll be experiencing Alt first-hand.

There will be keynote speakers, breakout sessions, design camps, roundtable discussions, parties, sponsors, and more! And throughout the conference, each of us will be trying to show our best, most authentic self to the other bloggers, entrepreneurs, and brand representatives that we might want to collaborate with. It’s quite an event, and from what I’ve seen in pictures, the Grand America is quite a hotel.

Going to the Altitude Design Summit feels like a pretty big deal, so I’m both excited and nervous. I’m really good at comparing myself to other people and finding all the ways I don’t measure up. I have a blog, but I don’t post frequently. I’m active on Instagram, but I don’t have many followers. I love to make things, but there are lots of people who are far more creative than I am. I’ve sold a few things I’ve made, but it’s far from a full-fledged business. I can think of lots of reasons that I don’t belong at Alt.

So why am I going to Alt?  I’m going because I have a blog and I dream of selling handmade items. I’m going because I want to connect with and be inspired by other creative women. And I’m going because in spite of my self-doubt, I know I belong at Alt. (And, when you win a ticket to Alt, you don’t turn it down.)

So ready or not, here I go! I’m packing up my handmade business cards, crossing my fingers, and heading out on an adventure. I’m sure I’ll be posting on Instagram more than usual, so feel free to connect with me there. I’m Rachel Swartley, and I’m creating a life I love.