My Meet-Up Failure & Victory

Way back in October, I mentioned in one of my community posts that I set up a local meet-up for photographers in my area. I'm trying to make a real-life community where we can support each other and form friendships. It did not go as I would have planned.

I invited probably fifteen or so photographers through Instagram. Most people were busy with one thing or another, which I figured, but they were enthusiastic about the idea. Only two people said they could come. Hey, smaller groups are nice when you're trying to get to know new people.

A couple days before, I messaged them to make sure that plans hadn't changed and they could still come. They affirmed that they would be there so the day arrives and I head over to the selected location.

I went a little bit early, since I was the organizer, and I didn't want them to be waiting on me. And I waited. Being who I am, I had a book with me, so I read and checked my DMs to see if they were running late or stuck in traffic or something. My cousin was on Instagram at the same time, so I talked to her for a bit, which was nice.

I stayed outside until it was just too cold and then went inside. A half hour after the one lady said she would be able to make it (I knew she planned to come late) and no one was there, I left. Yep, they didn't show.

Yes, I was disappointed. It's no fun to have something fail but your first attempt hurts a little bit more. In the past, I'd give up. I wouldn't try again because I put myself out there, stepped out of my comfort zone, and I failed. But that's not what I'm going to do.

See, community is so important to me. It's something I really want and so I'm going to keep pursuing it. Also, remember how I said I got a lot of affirmation regarding this idea? I know people are interested. I know that I have people just waiting to become a tribe.

I have an idea for a next attempt at a social outing but in the meantime, I'm facilitating conversation and "get to know each other" questions in our Instagram group chat.

I keep thinking of the line from Meet The Robinsons' - "You FAILED!" "And what a spectacular failure." Okay, so it's really not the biggest failure ever, but in the past, it would have been to me so the fact that I'm not giving up is big for me.

Have you ever pushed through failure to go after something you really wanted and believed was important? What kind of adversity have you overcome in your life?