You feel like the new girl to class. You're new to twitter or to blogging or to your industry (heck, you may not even know your craft HAS an industry!).

You've found some awesome blogs, podcasts, magazines and books. You are learning and trying and figuring it out.

You are a fangirl. You can NOT imagine talking to (let alone emailing!) your favorite podcaster,  author or any number of cool people.

But you want to grow. You want to be part of it, to feel like you really are a member of the group or the industry or just, you know, not on the outside.

Oh, honey. I get it.
No one wants to feel like we're on the outside, but so often (especially online) we are. We don't know the secret handshake or the inside jokes or what TNNA is.

So here's a little reassurance.

We all feel like we're on the outside.
No one knows the secret handshake (or if they do, they haven't told me yet).
No one has it figured out.

And here's the crazy thing:

There is no “group”, no “insiders”, no “cool kids” (well, ok, most of the crafters I know are cool, but none of them know they are cool).
We are all working away in our studios at things that make us happy.
And we love to share it with others.

So if there's a person you'd like to get to know…
Or a magazine you'd like to pitch to….
Or a blog you'd like to comment on…

You officially have permission.
You are cool enough. You are enough enough.

And if you still feel a little shy or are wondering why your overtures aren't turning into friendships, you may enjoy the class Diane and I are teaching next week. We're going to share our low-stress, no-stalker way of approaching the people you admire. Join us here.

Related posts:

  1. Who You Know – Diane’s Story
  2. Asking for it
  3. Bonuses and other fabulous things

14 Comments on Secret handshakes and reassurances

  1. Cindy
    July 28, 2010 at 1:46 pm (14 years ago)

    I just want to say that this was just what I needed to read this morning. Its a wonderful encouraging post! Keep it up!

  2. TaraSwiger
    July 28, 2010 at 2:20 pm (14 years ago)

    I'm so glad it was encouraging!
    Thanks for being awesome,
    Tara

  3. refashionology
    July 28, 2010 at 2:21 pm (14 years ago)

    Yes! That's just how I feel. Thanks for the validation and the encouragement. 🙂

  4. Maria Efimova
    July 29, 2010 at 8:20 am (14 years ago)

    This is great to hear! I'm really enjoying your blog (found you recently via CraftyPod). Thanks for the great ideas, and for reaching out to encourage us shy kids : )

  5. Sherron
    July 29, 2010 at 1:30 pm (14 years ago)

    Ah, thanks for this post! I'm having a hate-hate relationship with Twitter, I didn't know there was an industry for my craft, and how I didn't know about TNNA is a mystery to me! Good to know I'm not alone.

  6. Kristine Beeson
    July 29, 2010 at 5:39 pm (14 years ago)

    I love how positive you are, Tara, I think it's starting to rub off and I'm going to be able to say the same things outloud about myself! I AM COOL! I ROCK! there we go 🙂 can't wait for the class!

  7. TaraSwiger
    July 29, 2010 at 6:14 pm (14 years ago)

    You ARE cool, Kristine! And of course I think you totally rock 🙂

  8. TaraSwiger
    July 29, 2010 at 6:17 pm (14 years ago)

    Part of feeling comfortable is using the *right* media for you! If Twitter
    isn't it right, maybe try something else? Or find a little area (a few
    people) where it does feel comfortable?

    Hope some of that hate/hate dissipates!

  9. TaraSwiger
    July 29, 2010 at 6:19 pm (14 years ago)

    Thanks for letting me know it was encouraging!
    And thanks for checking me out (and coming back!)

    Have a lovely day!

  10. Holli Yeoh
    August 5, 2010 at 7:05 pm (14 years ago)

    This post speaks to me more than I can say! I love the “cool kids” analogy. I've been feeling a lot like I did when I started high school! Thanks for the pep talk.

  11. Gina
    August 11, 2010 at 3:47 pm (14 years ago)

    I love this post! I feel like this a lot and logically I know others feel like that too, but it's really good to be reminded of this. Since many of us work our businesses and blogs solely online, it is easy to feel alone. And it is easy to feel new when you only have 20 people following you on twitter! So well said.

    I found your blog via your guest post on Crafting an MBA and am really enjoying going through some of your older posts.

  12. TaraSwiger
    August 11, 2010 at 6:11 pm (14 years ago)

    Thank you so much, Gina!
    I'm SO happy if this helped ease the “new-kid” syndrome even a little.