Written by Ade Ramos (@vibewithade)

Have you ever wanted to go to an event (a festival or a show), but decided not to go because you had no one to go with? Missing out on an event because you have no one to go with can be a disservice to yourself. Attending an event solo can be fun, freeing, and healing.!You no longer have to miss out on events because you don’t have a big squad or someone to attend with. Here are a few reasons why going solo can be freeing and some tips to aid in your next solo adventure. 

In Charge of Your Own Experience

One of the biggest pros to attending a show or festival solo is being in charge of your experience. Especially if you’re the rave parent of your group, sometimes you have to worry about everyone else and their experiences which can be draining. With responsibilities to ensure all logistics are planned out, everyone has all their belongings, and everyone is safe, there's little headspace left to do what you want.

But when you ride solo, you get to decide the logistics, what sets you want to see, and can go on perpetual side quests. Not having to worry about anyone else, but yourself is so freeing and you don’t have to make any sacrifices on what you want to do.

Connect With Yourself

Solo experiences can be extremely healing in connecting with yourself. When you attend events with a group, you’re more than likely focused on everyone else. Solo experiences allow us to connect with ourselves and we learn more about ourselves in the end. I remember coming across a festival goer who went to Coachella by himself and documented it on TikTok. He shared how healing it was for him to go alone, proving to himself that he could do it while also creating a better relationship with himself. Creating the space to connect with yourself by attending solo can allow you to take all that energy and focus you’re used to giving to everyone else and giving it to yourself.

Connect With Others

I’ve gone to solo events and met more people than when I went to an event with a big group! Having a big group is super fun to make memories with your friends, but sometimes that closes you off to potential new friendships and connections when you’re super locked into your group dynamics.

When you go solo, it's likely you’ll find other people who are attending solo too. Or even better, a random group of people in the crowd with good vibes that you end up spending the rest of the fest with! There’s an empowering feeling going solo that radiates to others around you so own it and see what connections you attract.

Free to Express Yourself and Go On Side Quests

One final benefit to attending an event solo is the freedom to express yourself. You’re entering a dance floor where no one knows who you are. You don’t need to mold yourself to the group or person you usually attend with (we sometimes do this subconsciously). You’re free to show up however you want and be whoever you want. You are in charge of your energy and expression so why not confidently own that? It’s also so fun to be able to go on your side quests at the festival without having to worry about rallying a group to go with you. Once again being free and in charge of your own experience and seeing where it takes you.

Tips on How to Do It

If you’re ready and excited to attend your first event solo, here are some key things to remember to ensure a safe and fun experience.

• Safety Measures - Tell your friends or family about your plans. Provide any logistics or travel info about where you’re going to be and any important times and dates. Share your location with trusted loved ones and stay in contact with them just to have a trial. You can share your rideshare info while in the rideshare too. As always be mindful of who you share with that you’re alone at the event, stranger danger is still a real thing no matter what venue or city you go to. This isn’t to scare you, but to have you be prepared. If you don’t feel safe while at the event, let the event staff know.
• Personal Responsibility - Yes you are in charge of your experience by going solo, but “responsibility” is still a part of PLURR. Be mindful if you decide to drink to ensure you’re own safety. Be mindful of the energy you bring to those around you so as not to take away from others’ experiences.
• Have Fun - Let the music and the dance floor rid your anxieties or fears you have going into this event. Allow yourself to have fun and feel the freedom of going solo.

We hope you give a solo event a try. If you’re ever solo at a festival where we have a lunchbox meetup, know you can always come and meet other ravers. Follow our social media channels to stay up to date on our upcoming festival meetups where the lunchbox fam is always welcoming to solo ravers! 🫶