And so here we are, August in Edinburgh, festivals season.
This is my fourth August as a resident of the city and the first where I won’t be working in hospitality…
Hospitality in Edinburgh in August is BRUTAL, and I have nothing but respect for the epic teams of baristas, waiters, chefs and front of house staff who’re going to power through this month.
Like so many things with slow living, not working hospitality this August was a conscious choice for me, and one I made way back last September. At that stage I didn’t know what I’d be doing this August, I just knew it wasn’t going to be that. So, I saved money, looked at options, and decided – finally – that what I actually wanted to do was to have August pretty free to just experience festival season as a consumer.
This year I’m going to be having FUN through the month, I already have a bunch of shows booked, my partner and I will be putting our diaries on the dining room table so that we can keep track of where we both are and we’re sorting our fridge to be full of food that can form packed lunches and easy prep suppers. The chances of us having many meals together over the month are low. We’ve made our yearly effort to coordinate a few shows to see together, but apart from that we’ll be very much ships that pass in the night.
I don’t have anything riding on this month, no work to complete, no reviews or reports to file, no performances booked (although I may do some open mics), I basically just have to take it all in.
So, what will I get out of it?
· A boost to my creativity I hope, with some ideas and inspiration from seeing the work of other creatives.
· A chance for a bit of networking (shudder), by meeting new people and having new conversations.
I’m not going into the month with any expectations of ‘I MUST do/get/make/meet…’ but I hope those opportunities do arise.
· A boost to my happy hormones just by being able to spend lots of time seeing lots of new work and (hopefully) getting out and about in decent weather.
· A boost to my energy by doing stuff that I truly love and by being inspired to create my own work in response work I see.
The pressure is OFF...
That’s the big thing for me, this month will be what I make of it, no one is relying on me for anything other than my full attention on them when I’m with them and that’s a lovely place to be.
I’m looking forward to being able to get lots done to move myself forward because I have the time to spend in a wonderfully creative environment, but I can take my time and make my own rules.
Having fun, enjoying the month and the process of being surrounded by creativity is an exciting prospect. Let’s see where more time for fun leads…
So happy for you that you can enjoy the Festival this year rather than slog your way through it. Have a blast!! :-) xxx