A post–burn reflection
I went to my first Burn thinking I was fairly well prepared.
I was wrong in the same way someone is “basically fluent” after three Duolingo lessons.
There are things you can only learn by arriving in a field full of people who seem to have collectively decided sleep is optional.
So this isn’t a packing list.
It’s a regret prevention strategy.
Or at least… an attempt at one.
- Something That Creates Shade That Isn’t Your Tent
My goodness me is this important.
For both the sun. The rain. The wind. And, unexpectedly, cooking. The weather is your worst enemy.
My friend and I attempted what can only be described as an architect’s nightmare: a tarpaulin structure that lifted no higher than my shoulders and sagged dramatically in the middle like it was also disappointed in us.
It did not provide shade so much as it provided… a philosophical suggestion of shade.
We spent a lot of time crouching under it, re-evaluating our life choices. So please, learn from my mistake: if you think your shade setup is “probably fine,” it is not.
It is already regrettable. Luckily the Burners around us rallied and adopted us.
Build better than us so you too can adopt a friend. - Something Soft That Isn’t You
Blankets. Rugs. Textures.
Things that turn a hard, damp environment into something resembling a nest rather than a survival scenario.
Which leads me into my next point. - A Way to Sit on the Ground Without Regret
You will sit. A lot.
On things. Near things. Around things.
Sometimes emotionally becoming the ground.
And every time you will think: “I wish I had made better choices earlier today.”
A camp chair is not just furniture.
It is self love.
Bring it. - A Way to Know What Time It Isn’t
I floated the idea of buying a funky kids watch.
A sundial could also be funny. They’re so portable. - A Bag Within Your Bag Within Your Bag
Everything needs a home. Then a sub-home.
Then a backup home.
Then a sacred emergency home for “I will absolutely lose this otherwise.”
I affectionally call this item jail.
If you think you have enough bags, you don’t.
If you think you have too many bags, you are almost ready.
Also, make sure you have at least one waterproof one. - Fairy Lights / Something That Makes Your Tent Findable in the Chaos
All Kathmandu tents look the same at 2am.
This is not an opinion. It is a law of physics.
You will leave your tent thinking, “I’ll definitely remember where this is.”
You will not.
Make it weird.
Make it unmistakably yours. - A Snack That Feels Like a Full Emotional Reset
This is not food.
This is redemption.
At some point, you will hit a wall that cannot be solved by water, sleep, or good intentions.
And then you will eat the thing.
And suddenly you will remember you are a functioning human being with opinions and eyebrows.
Because you have eaten the thing. - Something That Makes You Slightly More Generous Than You Planned
Extra snacks become offerings. Spare items become gifts.
And at some point, you realise you are just… more open-handed than you intended to be. This could be especially helpful to first time burners who are still hung up on Gifting Culture.
If you’re still scratching your head check this out — So Do I Wrap It? First Timer’s Guide To Gifting At The Burn.
A short list of things I packed that were invaluable:
– Head torch.
– The bag within a bag within a bag.
– Carabiners on said bag. So many carabiners.
– Powerbank.
– Rain jacket.
– A blue V…. it was an emergency.
– Gumboots (would recommend painting them or getting quite unique ones as everyone’s gumboots start to look the same in the dark).
– And of course you will need a cup, a bowl and a utensil.
Final Thoughts
I thought I was packing for another summer festival.
What I was actually packing for is Kiwiburn.
And unfortunately you don’t know what you don’t know.
But you can pack a little more wisely.
And sometimes that’s enough.
Can’t wait to see in future years what my list looks like going forward.
Captain warned me once you tick off one thing on your list you normally add another…
Princess x
Image Credit — Daniel Wagner.
