Weekenders
all the memories and a little bit of festival magic
Bank Holiday beckons…
As my book reaches its final status this week, all edits and proofing complete, a Bank Holiday weekend approaches in the UK and I am having a WEEKEND OFF! I never take a weekend off, I am always writing, but this time, the laptop is going away. Before I go, I wanted to reshare a couple of posts that I have removed from paywall about very special weekends.
If you are new to Lemon Soul - welcome, and I think this will give you a great introduction to what the Lemon Soul world is all about 💕🍋
This Bank Holiday weekend, I am heading to a festival with some trepidation. It was booked a year ago, straight after our first ever family festival experience which was utterly joyous. This time, however, I’ve emerging from a period of being pretty unwell, so my anxiety at attending has gone through the roof. I know I don’t have to go at all, but these are the moments that bind us as a family, and this is where the magic happens. i’m going to go in my own way, at my own pace, and know that I don’t have to stay. I’m particularly grateful to be staying at a friend’s house nearby rather than a tent so there is a safe haven when I need it. And, I can always just go home ❤️
This article reminded me why I booked it in the first place, I needed to read this today! Sometimes remembering gives us the mindset shift we need…
Upon re-reading the above I have felt particularly heartened with the advice I gave myself at the end:
Advice I’ll pass onto myself for next time:
visiting a World Music stage is ALWAYS a good idea
the right rain is a truly beautiful thing
the best things are those you stumble across without planning
bring clothes with pockets and preferably ones that dry in an instant
believe in the goodness of people
eat Sri Lankan food
drink tea
don’t even consider drum & bass
go with the flow...and...
don’t forget the wellies (or pack a spare pair of Havianas)
I forgot the wellies again, but I do have my Fitflops, and I can tick all the other boxes. I think it’s going to be ok.
Ingredients
It got me thinking about all the things that nourish me, and this was encapsulated so perfectly during another magical weekend I spent in the Scottish Highlands last year. I write about the 4 key ingredients that made this so special:
Laughter
Adventure
Courage
Connection
Sometimes I don’t feel like I have the energy to connect, to be brave, or to go on adventures, but I also know I never regret it when I do. There may well be a price that I pay for this level of activity, but I have planned next week to be very quiet in order to accommodate that. Sometimes activity helps kick my energy back into being when it has been persistently low, sometimes it exacerbates the fatigue. Let’s see what happens…
Either way, I know there will be a lot of laughter. There may well be some tears as well, but this is where we find each other as a family, and laughter is at the core of our being. So, my big girl pants are on, and I’m ready. What’s the worst that can happen?
What are the ingredients for your perfect weekend?
As always, I’d love to hear,
Love & lemons 💕🍋
Em xx
My perfect weekend would be a cottage by the sea with my family, a log fire, gentle walks and evenings filled with songs and stories.
I salute your courage! I’d never get near a music festival, even when emotionally strong, but I understand the attraction and it is so touching that you can do as a family. I have a social event this weekend I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to attend, but thanks to your example I’m going to put on my girl pants and brave it out. At least it doesn’t involve mud!