Six Reasons Why Blogging is a Lot Like Dating

You wanna know what awesome thing I did this weekend?! I met some bloggers in real life. I know, I did that a couple weeks ago too, but I met even more bloggers in person this weekend. I'm on a roll with this blating thing. And I kind of love it. 

You don't know what a blate is? It's a blogger date. You know like how celebrity couples get official nicknames (i.e. Jelena, Bennifer, etc. and so forth)? It's kinda like that. Not really, now that I'm typing it all out, I guess it's just a combination of the words "blogger" and date" and since "dlogger" doesn't really work, it seems like "blate" was the clear winner here. Either way, I was fortunate enough to meet up with Brianna from Endlessly Beloved, Kailey from Hey Kai, Kayli from Kayli Wanders, and Mo from Ollivander Mo. 

We went to The Yard up in Phoenix for lunch and it was fantastic. The place was great, the company was great, and the food was great. There were even games (yay games!). All these ladies are super sweet and just as genuine in real life as they are on their blogs. I love when that happens. Go follow all of them. Now. I'll wait here...

Good? Good.

So anyway, as I was getting ready for this, and my previous blate I couldn't help but equate my thoughts and feelings to that of going out on an actual first date. I mean, "blate" does have remnants of the word "date" in it, so I can't be too far off on this. Which is why I bring you: 

1.) The "What Do I Wear?" Factor

When we meet other bloggers in real life, we probably shouldn't care so much about what we wear to a lunch date with other women, but we do. We probably care more about impressing other women than impressing men (mostly cause I'm married and I don't have to impress other men anymore). But really, when other ladies post "#OOTD" photos on their Insta and I'm about to meet them in real life, I feel like I have to step up my game. It's probably not successful most of the time, but I try nonetheless.

2.) The Creep Factor

You follow these ladies' blogs. They divulge almost every detail of their whole lives on the interwebs and you know almost everything about them, but when you meet them, do you let them know you know?? Do you let them know you creep all over their blog Every. Single. Day? That you've read their "Love Story" tab way more than one (or four) times? I went with yes on this one. That's what blogs (and every other social media outlet) is for right??

3.) The Phone Number Factor

You've been emailing with a particular blogger for months now. You comment back and forth on all of their blog posts. You follow them on all their social media outlets, and you think it's time to take it to the next step in your blog-friend relationship: texting. Should I give her my phone number? Is that weird? I wonder if she's even interested in texting with me? Should I wait until she gives me her number? Why do I feel like this is weird when I tell another woman "here's my number...?"

4.) The FaceTime Factor

See above. Except replace "texting" with "video chatting."

5.) The Catfish Factor

Don't lie. It's all in the back of our minds. 

6.) The Conversation Factor

Will we have stuff to talk about? What if it's awkward? Do we talk about stuff we already know cause she posted it on her blog (see #2)? You might even make note of all the things you notice aren't on her blog so that you'll be sure you have conversation topics to discuss (e.g. so, where do you work?). 

So there it is, six reasons why making friends in blog world feels a lot like dating sometimes. It's fine though. Cause I always say, blog friends are the best friends.

Happy Monday friends!