Community Roundup Week Ending March 31

The Wayback Machine

Do you ever use any of the mechanisms in place for looking back over time? Whether it’s the Wayback Machine, Facebook Memories, or simply scrolling back through the photos in your phone, our histories make us who we are today.

My longest social platform participation is on Facebook. Every day Facebook serves me up some fun, some cringey, and occasionally some sad memories.

Today reminded me that 12-year-old Michelle was kind of dumb. They say that insanity is doing the same thing the same way and expecting different results. Well, let’s just say I didn’t understand what happens when citric acid meets the casein protein in milk. (No, I didn’t try it a third time.)

Screenshot from Facebook: When I was 12 my dad took me on a "date" to the rotating restaurant in Rochester. I ordered hot tea. They brought it with lemon, sugar and cream on the side. So of course I added all three. It curdled. I didn't know why. So they brought me more. I curdled it again. You would have thought they would have warned me the second time. Lol

But the memories of what formed our past really do help us understand who we are today. I now take my tea plain. I also look at memories of WordCamps where I didn’t know anyone and didn’t know how to assimilate into the groups of friends that naturally come together as they reconnect at WordCamps. It’s hard to be the “new guy.”

Kathy Zant asked me yesterday on the WPMotivate podcast recording how it comes so easily to me to be welcoming and make everyone at a WordCamp feel like they belong. It’s simple: I know what it feels like to be on the outside looking in, to not feel like you’re part of something, and to be afraid that people won’t like you. So I strive to make sure that no one feels that way if I can help it.

I no longer worry about not fitting in. I don’t belong in every group of people at every WordCamp. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and I’m ok with that.

So if you’re feeling like you don’t know where to fit in, DM me. Let’s have a conversation. I’ll help you find a home here in the WordPress community.

In the Spotlight

Post Status professional member Robby McCullough is in the spotlight this week. You probably know him best from Beaver Builder. He’s also into disc golf, and also enjoys cycling, cooking, live music, and spending time with friends & family.

Join Us on Meetup

Join the Post Status meetup here: meetup.com/post-status/ and then RSVP for the meetups that best meet your needs (one, two, or all three). April’s meetups will be posted soon!