Burning Man Learnings & Fall Fun
What I Learned from Burning Man
Burning man is an annual, temporarily erected city of art, psychedelically stamped and collectively created that draws 80,000 people each year to the desert. Started as an artful means of self expression and esoteric camaraderie, today Burning Man represents a magically, community curated wonderland of everything you could ever fantasze about, and things you didn't even know you wanted to fantasize about. This 7 square mile, 7 day dust storm of magic has a radical inclusion ideology and strict leave no trace policy. The 'Playa' lacks no self expression or pleasurable desire and is a wildly impressive transformation of nothing to everything. In my attendance as a first time 'Burner,' I'm delighted to share my 4 Lessons Learned from Burning Man.
My 4 Lessons Learned From Burning Man 1. Never Stop Looking Up The preparation for Burning Man is likely just as important as the act itself. After thoughtful costume selection, days of food prep, planning the 16 hour driving route and making 10 lists and checking them twice- it seemed I was ready. While waiting in line for my last purchase to cross off the list, I noticed a blank notebook that said 'Never Stop Looking Up. This was a serendipitous occurrence as I literally tripped on the damn thing that had fallen down off a shelf. So I took this as my mantra for the week and zestfully walked out. Each day I intentionally practiced looking up. Holy shit. We forget that the world goes up. Clouds, stars, waterfalls, eyes, horizons, sun beams, tops of towers, birds, hopes, dreams, loved ones, expansiveness and breadth. This was a spectacular mantra. I've always been deeply rooted and stable, as a Virgo Mother Earth, as a business owner and as a middle child- the earth, the roots and what's realistically in front of me, has always guided me. To look up was to entice more openness, so I learnt to keep my head a little in the clouds. The sky brings a new perspective that indulges folly and 'hang-time,' so my revelry shifted to sunsets, tips of mountains and exploring art from the top up. 2. Glamping is 100% Acceptable Glamping is kind of like reverse-naturalist minimalism, it promotes bigger is better and with a heavy dose of luxury. The take away for me, was that in the mix of frivolous consumption; like oriental rugs, bottles of Patron and fur coats, you are literally face to face with your consumption. All your waste, water, garbage and refuse stares you back in the face as you lounge on velvet couches, silky hammocks and let loose in outrageous tents and dazzling structures. It hit me that luxury is beautiful and an allowable indulgence, however you are responsible for it. So yes, fur coats, more art and cocktails made of the 'good stuff' have crept in to my normal rotation, however I'm attuned to only selecting the items that really speak to me. I'll spend more money on an item to last, I've downsized my clothing pile and I'm excited to invest more in art, just for the beauty of it. Be mindful of your use and remember that the only one who can clean up after you is you.
Burning man is an annual, temporarily erected city of art, psychedelically stamped and collectively created that draws 80,000 people each year to the desert. Started as an artful means of self expression and esoteric camaraderie, today Burning Man represents a magically, community curated wonderland of everything you could ever fantasze about, and things you didn't even know you wanted to fantasize about. This 7 square mile, 7 day dust storm of magic has a radical inclusion ideology and strict leave no trace policy. The 'Playa' lacks no self expression or pleasurable desire and is a wildly impressive transformation of nothing to everything. In my attendance as a first time 'Burner,' I'm delighted to share my 4 Lessons Learned from Burning Man.My 4 Lessons Learned From Burning Man1. Never Stop Looking UpThe preparation for Burning Man is likely just as important as the act itself. After thoughtful costume selection, days of food prep, planning the 16 hour driving route and making 10 lists and checking them twice- it seemed I was ready. While waiting in line for my last purchase to cross off the list, I noticed a blank notebook that said 'Never Stop Looking Up. This was a serendipitous occurrence as I literally tripped on the damn thing that had fallen down off a shelf. So I took this as my mantra for the week and zestfully walked out. Each day I intentionally practiced looking up. Holy shit. We forget that the world goes up. Clouds, stars, waterfalls, eyes, horizons, sun beams, tops of towers, birds, hopes, dreams, loved ones, expansiveness and breadth. This was a spectacular mantra. I've always been deeply rooted and stable, as a Virgo Mother Earth, as a business owner and as a middle child- the earth, the roots and what's realistically in front of me, has always guided me. To look up was to entice more openness, so I learnt to keep my head a little in the clouds. The sky brings a new perspective that indulges folly and 'hang-time,' so my revelry shifted to sunsets, tips of mountains and exploring art from the top up. 2. Glamping is 100% AcceptableGlamping is kind of like reverse-naturalist minimalism, it promotes bigger is better and with a heavy dose of luxury. The take away for me, was that in the mix of frivolous consumption; like oriental rugs, bottles of Patron and fur coats, you are literally face to face with your consumption. All your waste, water, garbage and refuse stares you back in the face as you lounge on velvet couches, silky hammocks and let loose in outrageous tents and dazzling structures. It hit me that luxury is beautiful and an allowable indulgence, however you are responsible for it. So yes, fur coats, more art and cocktails made of the 'good stuff' have crept in to my normal rotation, however I'm attuned to only selecting the items that really speak to me. I'll spend more money on an item to last, I've downsized my clothing pile and I'm excited to invest more in art, just for the beauty of it. Be mindful of your use and remember that the only one who can clean up after you is you. 3. Bodies be Bodies MonNudity is an embraced part of Burning man as one of their 7 principles- 'radical self expression.' At 'the Burn' what really resonated with me was that bodies in all their glorious, jiggly, fleshy, radiance are all just bodies, everyone's got the same one. Guys almost identical- toothpick legs and soft bellies, women in slightly more varieties, but wether slendour, buxom or soft all are just gloriously natural, honest, and raw. The oversized cloaks, sausage tights, padded this and compression that we attempt to wear often does a disservice to our body thoughts in the already over-enhanced environment we live in. To be more in tune with our natural bodies and embracing the squishy bits, showcases a beautiful body. If you come to terms with the fact that how your body is now, is how it is supposed to be, you'll radiate some serious unicorn meets rainbows energy.4. Always AskPeople love to share their craft, knowledge and love of places, spaces and ideas. Often someone's gifts, skills or 'top ten' has come about through years of self discovery, education and mastership. Burning Man is based on non-commodified gifting and generous contributions by all individuals. This self-less giving is what creates such a spectacle and warm inclusive environment. At Burning Man you never walk by someone without saying hello. You introduce yourself to your neighbours, cook extra breakfast always and indulge in conversations with people for pure pleasure. I found by simply asking, I learned more than I thought possible. People loved telling me about how they created their art, what their favourite spaces to visit were, how they overcome turmoil in their life and the tools they live by to be so darn happy. Innately, I'm a 'do it myselfer,' but now I'm more intrigued to always ask and to be charmed by the response. Nudity is an embraced part of Burning man as one of their 7 principles- 'radical self expression.' At 'the Burn' what really resonated with me was that bodies in all their glorious, jiggly, fleshy, radiance are all just bodies, everyone's got the same one. Guys almost identical- toothpick legs and soft bellies, women in slightly more varieties, but wether slendour, buxom or soft all are just gloriously natural, honest, and raw. The oversized cloaks, sausage tights, padded this and compression that we attempt to wear often does a disservice to our body thoughts in the already over-enhanced environment we live in. To be more in tune with our natural bodies and embracing the squishy bits, showcases a beautiful body. If you come to terms with the fact that how your body is now, is how it is supposed to be, you'll radiate some serious unicorn meets rainbows energy. 4. Always Ask People love to share their craft, knowledge and love of places, spaces and ideas. Often someone's gifts, skills or 'top ten' has come about through years of self discovery, education and mastership. Burning Man is based on non-commodified gifting and generous contributions by all individuals. This self-less giving is what creates such a spectacle and warm inclusive environment. At Burning Man you never walk by someone without saying hello. You introduce yourself to your neighbours, cook extra breakfast always and indulge in conversations with people for pure pleasure. I found by simply asking, I learned more than I thought possible. People loved telling me about how they created their art, what their favourite spaces to visit were, how they overcome turmoil in their life and the tools they live by to be so darn happy. Innately, I'm a 'do it myselfer,' but now I'm more intrigued to always ask and to be charmed by the response.