Hey guys… I know I’m a little late to the party on this #roadtosteemfest topic… but I thought it was so interesting that I wanted to jump in. I’ve only done a few of these Steemfest free-writes so far, but I want to start doing them more often! It’s a pretty cool, almost meditative, practice to let things pour out of you without judgement and see what comes out. I’ve done this a bit in the past, but it was always just for me. I think this was a great idea on 
I can’t mention Steemfest without doing a cartwheel (in my mind… I’m not that agile) and thanking 
Ok… here goes the free-write…
What a perfectly poised question. Doesn’t that kind of sum this whole place up? Business and pleasure all woven together in a perfectly blended tapestry? Well, maybe not for all. We all have different reasons to be part of Steemit. For me, it’s a mix of so many things.
Friends. I’ve made so many friends. I feel so connected to people I’ve never even met – and the people I have met in person are some pretty incredible souls.
Travel. Hell Yeah… I’ve been traveling a ton more since I joined Steemit and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. I know the Steem Creators crew is planning more and more events. And going to Poland? Yeah… that’s crazy exciting. I definitely wouldn’t be flying over to eastern Europe to hang out with hundreds of super cool people in the middle of winter if it wasn’t for Steemit.
Money, yes. The idea of being able to change my life situation by doing fun stuff here on Steemit blows my mind. I say money… but I really mean freedom.
Feeling valued/important. Putting myself OUT there so much here on Steemit and being greeted with real love and support? Wow… I honestly feel like I stand a little taller now. I would say I’ve always been fairly confident in myself – but being here and feeling like what I’m doing is valuable and people actually like it?? That’s an irreplaceable feeling.
So is Steemfest business or pleasure for me?
Pleasure first. Always pleasure first. I plan to get an incredible amount of joy, fun, connection and good stories out of this event. I’m already planning to run on little sleep so I can soak up every moment and experience that I can.
On the business side… business feels like a strong word. Collaboration feels more like what I’m feeling. Coming out of the Toronto conference, I’ve had a few project ideas and collaborations with people I met there. You can’t replace that. Those ideas and those conversations may NEVER have happened if we weren’t together in person. Some of the best ideas happened at 2 am while we were all sitting around a roof top deck chatting about Steemit. Or while I was makin’ a fool of myself with 
I hope to leave Steemfest not only exhausted from all the previously mentioned pleasure, but full of inspiration and budding with collaborations and fun projects. I love making content and always will… but there is a certain magic in working on a project with other people who are also passionate and excited about what you are doing. Some of my greatest joys on Steemit lately have been in these kinds of partnerships.
I’ve never been more excited about the future of Steemit and I can already feel myself brimming with anticipation of the people I will meet and the moments we will share in Poland.
Till the next free-write… hugs and love to you all. <3
Xo, Lea
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