From Attendee to Instructor: My Unforgettable Haven Conference Experience

For nearly four years, the world of blogging has been my passion, a creative outlet that has led me to countless memorable experiences. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of attending numerous blog conferences, each one a valuable opportunity to connect with an incredible community of fellow bloggers, forge lasting friendships, and continually refine my skills. One of the standout events in my annual calendar has always been the Haven DIY Conference in Atlanta. What makes Haven unique is its dual focus: approximately half of the sessions are dedicated to enhancing one’s blogging prowess, while the other half offers hands-on workshops for mastering essential DIY skills. My first experience at Haven last year was immensely enjoyable, providing a wealth of inspiration and practical knowledge.

However, Haven 2013 marked a truly significant turning point in my journey. This year, the conference transcended all previous experiences, fundamentally altering my perspective and participation. Do you want to know why this year was so profoundly different?

Stepping into the Spotlight: My Debut as a Haven Instructor!

This year, I had the incredible honor of stepping up as a teacher at the conference – a truly exhilarating and humbling experience! Boom!

Typically, my pre-conference preparations are rather straightforward, revolving around the lighter side of things. Deciding on the perfect outfits to wear for networking events and ensuring my toenails are perfectly pedicured usually constitute the extent of my pre-conference to-do list. It’s a time for relaxed anticipation, focusing on the learning and social aspects that these events offer.

From Glam to Gritty: The Realities of Teaching DIY

This time, however, things were drastically different. The usual leisurely preparations were replaced with a newfound dedication to intensive work. My hair was pulled back, sleeves were rolled up, and I braced myself for the considerable effort, sweat, and even a few tears that would go into preparing for my very own DIY workshop. The shift from attendee to instructor meant trading stylish outfits for practical workwear and pre-event pampering for meticulous, hands-on preparation. It was a complete overhaul of my conference mindset, embracing the grit and dedication required to teach a practical skill.

The logistical challenges were immense. My garage quickly transformed into a bustling workshop, overflowing with an astounding array of tools and supplies for the class. I packed hammers, saws, levels, measuring tapes, and countless other items, meticulously organizing them for easy access during the workshop. Looking back, I realize I might have overpacked, bringing “way too many” items out of an abundance of caution and a deep desire to be fully prepared for any eventuality. This was no ordinary packing list; it was an inventory for a construction site on a small scale!

Beyond the tools, the preparation of materials was a monumental task in itself. I spent countless hours diligently cutting and labeling numerous templates and various pieces of material, ensuring each participant would have exactly what they needed for the hands-on activity. The precision required for these cuts and the systematic labeling process was demanding, yet crucial for a smooth workshop experience. Again, my commitment to thoroughness meant I likely prepared “way too much” material, but it was a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with being over-prepared rather than under-prepared. Every single piece was carefully measured, cut, and marked, anticipating every step my students would take.

The Essential Teacher’s Packing List

Indeed, my packing list for Haven this year was almost unrecognizable compared to previous years. It wasn’t just about clothes and toiletries anymore; it was about equipping myself for an active, hands-on teaching role. The focus shifted entirely from personal comfort to practical utility. This new perspective highlighted the profound difference between passively learning and actively teaching, especially in a hands-on DIY environment where every detail matters.

My travel bag now included items like industrial-strength earplugs – essential for any noisy workshop environment – and sturdy platform work boots, a testament to the fact that I would be on my feet, demonstrating, guiding, and ensuring safety for hours. With these practical essentials packed, I finally set off on my drive to Atlanta, ready to embrace this new, challenging, and incredibly exciting chapter.

Road Trip Rehearsals: Visualizing Success

The 3.5-hour drive to Atlanta became an unexpected, impromptu rehearsal space. I spent every minute visualizing my class, mentally walking through each step of my presentation and the hands-on activity. I might have even practiced out loud and with unapologetically BIG hand gestures, perfecting a little icebreaker to engage the participants at the beginning of the class. My car was a mobile classroom, filled with the sound of my voice explaining concepts and demonstrating techniques. At one point, a car passed me, and a child in the back seat turned, wide-eyed, and started mimicking my enthusiastic hand gestures – a clear sign that my “private” rehearsal wasn’t as private as I thought! It was a humorous, albeit slightly embarrassing, moment that broke the intensity of my preparation, reminding me to breathe and enjoy the process.

Conquering Public Speaking Nerves

As the weeks leading up to the Haven conference progressed, I found myself increasingly surprised by a peculiar absence: the usual wave of public speaking anxiety never materialized. This genuinely astonished me, as I am typically not a fan of standing in front of a group of people and simply talking. I kept bracing myself for the familiar surge of panic, the dry mouth, and the butterflies, but to my utter amazement, it never came. I attribute this newfound calm primarily to the last six months I had dedicated to coaching, helping, and teaching women over Skype. While these interactions were predominantly one-on-one sessions, rather than large group settings, the consistent practice of explaining, guiding, and empowering others had clearly built my confidence in a way I hadn’t fully anticipated. It trained my mind to focus on delivering value and connecting with individuals, regardless of the group size.

Moreover, another contributing factor to my surprising lack of nerves was the complete unknown surrounding the class attendance. I genuinely had no idea how many people would actually show up to my trim molding class. A tiny, almost subconscious part of me might have even hoped that only two people would attend, making the experience feel more intimate and less intimidating. This uncertainty, ironically, removed a significant source of pressure, allowing me to focus entirely on the quality of the content and the experience I was preparing to deliver, rather than the size of the audience. The topic itself, trim molding, while incredibly practical for DIY enthusiasts, also offered a focused scope that felt manageable to teach, adding to my quiet confidence.

The journey from a passive attendee to an active instructor at Haven 2013 was a transformative one, filled with intensive preparation, unexpected moments of self-discovery, and a profound sense of accomplishment. It solidified my commitment to both blogging and DIY, and I couldn’t wait to share everything I had learned and prepared.

Next up, join me as I delve into the actual class experience and all the exciting moments that unfolded during the workshop itself: Let’s Case this Joint — Haven 2013