a life changing experience. bigger and brighter than I ever imagined. here are a few takeaways: 1/ community is everything. take care of your people, check in, lift each other up and lead with honesty, loyalty and respect. show up for them when it’s not convenient for you. 2/ humans are incredible, creative, imaginative weirdos with so much heart and soul. why build a temporary city to burn it down and take it all apart at the end? because we can. because why not? life is for living. life is for silliness and fun. we only get one. 3/ I am braver, stronger, more independent, and self reliant than I ever imagined. burning man is a tough place -some of the harshest living conditions - full of lows and hard moments. full of obstacles and challenges. it’s a metaphor for life. hang on and keep pushing. 4/ you don’t need to live by fake rules and confinements and timelines and schedules and others’ perceptions of you. 5/ love is everything. love deeply and without fear of rejection. love everyone even if they don’t love you back. shine your love so bright it permeates everything and everyone around you. 6/ everyone is struggling. everyone is insecure or hurting or tired. meet people where they are at. show compassion. make new friends. we’re all connected. 7/ get comfortable being uncomfortable. growth can only come when you face things head on. have conversations with strangers. try new things. embrace change. 8/ it’s all a part of the journey and you choose how you react. so much love to everyone who made my first burn incredible. to my tribe of lifers, to my new friends who became family, to every single person who helped me when I was lost, to the grandma who gave me fresh donuts, and the people cooking hotdogs in the deepest corners of the playa, the artist and musicians and dreamers and the people who held space for me. i feel more connected than ever. I love you.