Festival season is finally here! After so many festivals and events were cancelled over the last two years due to COVID-19, excitement is running high as things are starting to return to normal.
Most places outline how to prepare, pack, and plan for each individual festival, so you know what to expect. Event organisers want their guests to have fun, but they also want to ensure everyone’s safety and security.
However, if you’re an avid festival-goer, there are some things you should do on your own to prepare for the season ahead. Festival season is a huge investment of your time, energy, money, and mental health. Preparing yourself now will make for a more enjoyable season to make the most of your experience without burning out financially, emotionally, or physically.
Not sure how to get started with your festival season preparations? Here are three tips that will make a big difference.
1. Manage Your Mental Health
It takes a lot of work to plan a trip to a festival. Whether it’s the next town over or across the country, you have to think about things like
- Travel arrangements
- Taking time away from work
- Who you want to go with
- Setting up a place to stay
- Keeping yourself safe
- Packing the essentials
Even though a lot of the planning and preparation is fun, it’s a lot of work and can add extra stress to your life. It’s important to prioritise your mental health now and continue healthy habits and practices that will get you through the season without feeling overwhelmed.
Self-care looks different for everyone. Focus on doing something every day that helps you relax and prioritise your mental well-being. It could include exercising, cooking healthy meals, journaling, or spending time with friends.
You might even consider practices like mindfulness or meditation to help you stay focused on the present. These small habits are easy to stick with and will improve your mental health now while allowing you to appreciate your time at every festival fully.
2. Feel Secure With Your Finances
Depending on how many festivals you attend, festival season can be expensive! Ticket prices for popular music festivals are usually several hundred dollars. On top of that, you have to consider common expenses like
- Transportation to and from the festival site
- Lodging
- Food
- Clothes, or other merchandise you plan on purchasing
If you go to multiple events, you could end up spending thousands of dollars throughout the season. That’s hard on anyone’s bank account and can contribute to a lot of financial stress.
The good news? You probably won’t be at a festival every weekend. Take the time you have between each event to put your energy into solo hobbies. Things like reading, scrapbooking, and gardening are great ways to de-stress and reset your mind and body while you’re home. However, you might have some hobbies or skills that could also double as a side-hustle to boost your financial situation.
Do you love to write and have a knack for it? Consider joining the gig economy and working as a freelance blogger. Are people always making positive comments about your photos? Market yourself as a photographer and shoot everything from weddings to portraits.
Even things like podcasting, interior decorating, or cooking and baking could be used to make a bit of extra cash on the side. Whether you use that money toward your monthly budget or dedicate it specifically to your festival expenses, it’s a great way to lower the financial burden of festival season while doing something you love.
3. Create a Relaxing Environment to Come Home To
Did you know your environment can significantly impact your mental health? Having a relaxing space to come home to between festivals is the best way to recharge your batteries, reduce stress, and maintain mental wellness before you hit the road again for your next event.
With that in mind, take some time to declutter your home when you can. Having a clean and organised home can save you time and money, reduce stress, let your personality come through, and can even improve your sleep quality. After spending a long weekend at a festival, there’s something special about sleeping in your own bed, and coming home to a clean and calm environment makes it that much better.
As a bonus, the more time you spend decluttering, the better your chances of finding items you can sell for extra cash (which brings us back to the previous tip!). Even if you choose not to sell the things you don’t want, repurposing, recycling, or donating them can make you feel good about giving back and doing something beneficial for the environment.
Even if you already have your bags packed, your tickets purchased, and your itinerary in place, it’s essential to fully prepare your mind and body for the upcoming festival season. Put these tips into practice to keep yourself centred, financially secure, and as stress-free as possible this summer and beyond as you enjoy every second of the season and its celebratory atmosphere.
Watch this space for updates in the Music category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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