It’s always a little scary to do something you’ve never done before, but going into the Skirt Conference this weekend, fear was strangely absent. Maybe it was the presence of my inspirational friend, Darlynn Nangano of Little Blog Dress. Or maybe it was the fact that I had just returned from a vacation the day before and didn’t have the time to panic. But mostly, I think it was just that I was ready. Really, really ready. There is a freedom to being a little (ahem!) past 25. I have more confidence than I have ever had, and I am more relaxed about putting myself out there. I knew I needed this, and the timing was perfect. I am at a crossroads in my career, and I was looking to make a change. Should I stay on the nonfiction beauty/fashion track, and continue to capitalize on my experience as a fashion/beauty editor, or should I combine my love of style with another passion and take it in a different direction? Should I continue taking writing assignments, or be more selective and focus on my own work?
What I found at Skirt! was inspiration, direction, motivation and momentum. I also found a group of incredibly warm and supportive women, all there for their own reasons and with their own quests. I was so inspired by some of the wonderful speakers I heard, especially Claire Cook, Emily Giffin, Abigail Koons, and Laura Tisdel. I also loved meeting my fellow Skirt! attendees, including Skirt!’s Jacksonville editor Tracy Jones, the chic, funny Stephanie Davis-Smith, Skirt’s Heather Nagel-Doughtie, Javacia Harris Bowser, Kate Spears, Michelle McGee, and many, many more!
What an amazing inaugural conference, Skirt! I can’t wait for next year’s!
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