I don't often write on here about my career as a blogger. This blog is my fourth baby, it's where I share all my family memories of the children and I am fortunate that over the years it has also turned into my career. I am fortunate enough to earn a very good wage creating and sharing content for brands that I love on this blog and on my YouTube channel too. To those on the outside it might not seem like there is much to blogging but honestly they would be so wrong!
Over the last few months as I've focused a lot more time on my blog and YouTube channel - I work at five days a week creating content now - and I've felt like I've gotten into a bit of a rut. Blogging and making videos are naturally creative jobs but it's very easy to get dragged down with the admin side of things. I've had deadlines coming out of my ears and I'd lost the spark of love that I had for the job.
The Flea Retreat was just what I needed. I've been to blog conferences before and whilst their sessions have sometimes been useful, I've found that they focused more on the admin side of things rather than on the creative side. I've been blogging for years now so I know how to work Pinterest and Instagram so these types of sessions aren't much use to me anymore. The Flea Retreat promised to take us back to the roots of our storytelling, refresh our creative energy and brush up on our content creation skills.
Oh and it did just that! The setting at Croydon Hall was beautiful and we were so lucky with the weather!
I felt that there was just the right mix of sessions meaning that the weekend was very much catered to our individual needs. I mixed some yoga in with lots of photography and video workshops but there was also mountain biking, paddle-boarding, kayaking, confidence on camera sessions and creative writing workshops.
What I loved most about it was that it was 'professionals' running the sessions and not bloggers at the top of their game. These professionals often knew quite little about blogging so didn't have the prejudices and preconceptions that come with knowing the industry. I learnt some 'dark photography' skills - totally different to the light and airy pictures we try to create as bloggers but so amazing and I know that I want to use these new skills in future photos I take. I also learnt about video editing from someone whose job it is to create videos for Land Rover.
Most bloggers and YouTubers that I know are self taught (me included) and there is nothing wrong with that, but the knowledge that comes from people who are trained in their industry is really second to none. I hope that as a result of my weekend my photos will improve, my videos will get better and you'll noticed a renewed vigour and passion for the projects that I am doing.
It was also so lovely to meet so many fantastic bloggers. I can honestly say that everyone was so chatty and friendly and I can't say a bad word about anyone I met. As bloggers we often chat to each other online and it is so nice to meet in person and get to know each other a little better.
A big thank you to everyone involved with The Retreat, I'll leave their links down below. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
becky says
Lovely photos and so nice to meet you
mommamack15 says
Lovely to meet you
Steph @ Renovation Bay-Bee says
Lovely to meet you and having a chat in the spa!
RaisieBay says
Wasn't it just the best, such a refreshing change to the usual blogger events. You're photos are great, I'm glad you took a lot away with you.
Steph Curtis (stephstwogirls) says
Was fab to meet you; I enjoyed the weekend too and agree with your comments about the professionals being worth their weight in gold! Hope I can go again next year - wish I could have done everything!
Katy (What Katy Said) says
Was so lovely meeting you. The whole weekend was so amazing - can’t wait for next year! x
We Made This Life says
Lovely to meet you too! I hope they run it next year too!
Sally says
Fabulous meeting you thanks for coming along. Burning question: did you try the vegan cheese?
We Made This Life says
Honest truth, it's still in my fridge!!