“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary,” said Mandy Hale. This is an important quote dedicated to how self-care and the notion of performing acts of radical self-love is not a selfish act. It is important for your growth and development. Self-care and self-love have been mentioned and discussed in countless conversations during COVID-19. But, what does self-care actually mean? Self-care is the practice of taking the time and action to preserve or improve one’s own health. Think about how you practice self-care. What does that look like for you? We will be exploring the different ways you can approach and practice self-care while you are attending a music festival.
A music festival can be a lively and spirited experience, but can also be an overwhelming and emotional one at that. It is important for you to always constantly check in with yourself at an event to make sure you are practicing self-care. Sometimes, you can get so caught up in the celebration of music and community that you forget to make sure you are satisfying your needs. If you tend to forget to set time aside for self-care, create something like a “self-care break.” Maybe schedule time during the music festival to just focus on yourself and address what you need, so you can have the best possible time. If you are attending a music festival with someone, or a group of people, make it a goal to support one another throughout the day.
Self-care is not just about the mental or emotional aspect of your being. Self-care is a holistic practice dedicated to the mind, body, and spirit. What relaxes you throughout the day? Is it meditating, journaling, reading, listening to music, etc.? These are the things to consider when you are attending a music festival. It may be important for you to take yourself out of the musical space for a while. It may be a challenge to find a completely quiet space, but finding a somewhat quiet place to be in your own space. This may give you the opportunity to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
Reflection looks differently to everyone. You may consider meditating, journaling, listening to soundscapes, talking with someone, or reading. Make sure you are always hydrated and feeling well enough to continue attending the festival. If you begin to feel worse than you usually feel, you should visit one of the First Aid Centers for medical attention/support. You do not want a medical condition to go unaddressed. Lastly, it is important to be one with your emotions. How are you feeling? Is the music making you emotional or even triggering you in some fashion? It is important to recognize your emotions so they don’t escalate.
Overall, self-care and self-love are important for your experience at a music festival and honestly, everywhere. Everyone has their own unique style for practicing self-care. Have fun learning what works for you. Happy self-caring and self-loving music lovers!
This post was written by Accessible Festivals’ intern Zane Landin. Zane is a Communication (Public Relations) student at Cal Poly Pomona with a passion for mental health access, disability rights, and diversity and inclusion.
