Ten Lessons I Learned at a Music Festival

Last week on Sunday I wrote about how labeling myself as an introvert has proved to be detrimental to my confidence… Although I didn’t receive much feedback about the post, it kind of served as a wake-up call and allowed me to work through the things that were holding me back. I finished writing that post in the Ottawa airport as I made my way to London, Ontario to visit my grandparents. I clicked publish, got on the plane and spent the rest of the flight thinking about the kind of person I am and the kind of person I’d like to be. By the time we pulled up to our gate at the airport I had decided that I would no longer hold myself back any longer from doing the things I love to do.

So what did I do next? Oh, ya know… I eased myself into the world outside my cozy bedroom and went to a country music festival……………. ALONE.

Crazy, right? Me? Alone? Concert? People?

A few days before I left for London, my Dad texted me to say that his best friend miiiiight have free passes for the Trackside Music Festival featuring Chris Young, Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell and many others. I didn’t know for sure that I would get them but had my hopes pretty high because the line up sounded incredible. About a day before the festival, Dad’s friend sent me a text saying that he had a pass for me!

But he only had one…

At first, I was super nervous. I told myself that this was the kind of experience I promised myself that I wouldn’t pass up when I was on that plane. So I picked up my wristband and went to Day One of the festival.

The whole weekend was an amazing success. The music was incredible, the weather beautiful and my confidence soared as I got used to the idea of being alone (sort of… thanks Brandi!) at the festival. Not to mention the fact that I got to meet the incredible Brett Kissel! His set was one of my favourites, and I just had yet another fangirl moment because he liked the picture I tweeted of us.

Setting the experience and the music aside, this concert truly taught me some important things about myself.

These are a few of the lessons I learned…

1. Memories are made when you get out of your comfort zone
2. The only things holding me back are the boundaries I have set for myself
3. Music has the ability to bring out the absolute best in me and gives me a tremendous amount of joy
4. Sometimes dancing with a stranger at a concert is just as good as dancing with a friend
5. There is real kindness in the world for those willing to accept it
6. People can be really pushy and rude in crowds, and standing up for yourself feels good
7. It’s okay that I don’t drink, because I know I can have fun anyway
8. There is infinite inspiration everywhere; in music, excited crowds, a smile… It’s endless.
9. I never ‘lost’ my confidence; it will always be there no matter how deeply buried I believe it to be
10. I should never consider giving up free tickets to a concert ever again

Although I arrived alone and unsure of the situation, I left feeling proud and happy with memories that I’ll hold onto for a long time.

How do you push against your own boundaries? Let me know in the comments!