How To Respond When You Don’t Get Invited to #DSMMC

In the blogging world, there is one event that everyone hopes to be invited to. The day email invitations begin to go out, the refresh button on many inboxes gets overused. Everyone wants the pixie-dust filled invite to the Disney Social Media Moms Conference – and for good reason – it’s magical.

In 2014, I received the slightly elusive and highly coveted email. I nearly fell over. The next month, my husband and I were off on on incredible trip to Disneyland, and I was about to experience a level of inspiration like no other. I was going to the DSMMC!!

At the conference, I met so many amazing people – some of whom I’d followed online for years! I remember looking around the room on conference day, just feeling humbled and blessed to be amidst so many talented men and women. It was one of the most learning-rich environments I’ve ever experienced. As an introvert, it stretched me. As a blogger, it challenged me. As a creator, it inspired me. (And LeVar Burton read me a story….talk about a childhood dream come true!)

The next year, the invitations went out, and I didn’t receive one. I watched lots of the other fantastic bloggers I’d met the year before rejoice online, celebrating their invitation – and had mixed emotions. I was happy for my new blogging friends – knowing they were going to have an incredible time. But at the same time, I let myself believe that not being invited meant that I wasn’t good enough….that I’d done something wrong….that I didn’t quite measure up.

Then I realized it was time to think like Peter Pan, and think of a wonderful thought – any merry little thought. You can’t fly when you’re negative – and let me tell you – the DSMMC is anything but negative.

Not being invited does not define you or quantify your worth. You matter – whether you’re experiencing the magic firsthand for the first time, attending for a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th!)time, or whether you’re still holding onto hope. I let Walt inspire me, and came up with a list of things to remember when that email doesn’t come.

1. Stay Positive

“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.” ~Walt Disney

One of the most powerful things you can do is celebrate someone else’s success out loud. Congratulate the attendees and follow along online. Don’t allow yourself to journey down the path of negativity. You do not fail when someone else succeeds. Choose to be happy – even in that moment of disappointment. Adopt an attitude of gratitude, and count your blessings. Pixie dust or the lack thereof doesn’t define the quality of your work or your life. Choosing to re-train your thoughts keeps you moving onwards and upwards.

2. Hakuna Matata

“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.” ~Walt Disney

Don’t doubt yourself or spend time feeling anxious about what you could have done differently. In this moment, you have a choice to make. You can choose to worry about how to get an invite next year/why you didn’t get one this year, OR you can be happy. Worry and happiness can’t co-exist.When we drop the burdens of worry and release what we cannot control or change, our life tends to improve. Our situations and circumstances may not change, but WE do.

3. Keep Doing What YOU Do Best

“Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” ~Walt Disney

Don’t give into the temptation to imitate another blogger’s style or voice. Find your groove, your niche, and keep being YOU. Your individual background, story, and set of circumstances have given you a unique perspective. No one can do what you can do. Tell your stories. Share your experiences. Let your unique purpose and passions drive you.

I strongly believe that comparison is one of the biggest epidemics plaguing women today. You can never be your best self until you are content with who are. Be confident in who you are and in who you were made to be. When you’re doing what YOU do best, you’ll stand out.

3 1/2. Hone Your Craft

“Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it’s done right.” ~Walt Disney

Never become complacent as a blogger. Once you’ve found your voice and made the choice to let your passion fuel you, turn your focus to the things you can improve on….and then keep working at it! Walt once said that “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as their is imagination in the world.” Allow your blog to be the same way. Keep dreaming. Innovate. Connect with your readers through story. Make changes. Fine tune. Improve. Never stop learning.

4. DREAM! 

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~Walt Disney

Walt said “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Don’t lose hope. Each year, multiple rounds of invites go out – giving additional bloggers the opportunity to attend. There are typically several On the Road conferences -and you never know….next year might be your year! (and mine!) (And remember – if it’s not, you’ll still be okay!)

In the words of Cinderella,

 “Have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing – the dream that you wish WILL come true!”