I think that everyone’s experience at Burning Man is different, because it gives you what you need. Or what you’re looking for. And those might be very different things. If you want a party, you will most certainly find that. But if you want to meditate by yourself, in the middle of the desert, you can also do that. Yes, there are places to be alone there.

For me, it was a reminder of how much I already like who I am and how few problems I really have. When I went to the Temple, I prayed for other people to find peace, which was a good reminder that I already have personal peace most of the time.

Yet, I did cry at Burning Man. While at Baggage Check, I wrote about some personal history that was still nagging at me. And then I let it go. Get it? Baggage Check? Then, while others were meditating, I took a most wonderful nap in a stranger’s camp lying on their pillows, completely forgetting in that moment that I am a neat freak and a bit of a germaphobe.

In another spontaneous chat room (but with live people), I gained insight into my own role as a mother and what I can be doing to better parent my two teen boys. I learned this from young people, who do indeed have much wisdom to share. But we have to listen, which was also, appropriately, the name of the camp: Listen.

I learned that lists and rules and schedules are appropriate in some places, but completely unnecessary in others. And sometimes, you just have to go with the flow, even if it is not on the schedule. Or on your list.

At Burning Man, you are required to be radically self-reliant, but there are still always people to help you when you need it, which, of course, most of us do from time to time. My bike had a slow leak in the rear tire, which is a big problem when that’s the primary way you get around there. There were many camps set up and filled with volunteers (and tools) willing to fix bikes, just because they wanted to. Money is not allowed at Burning Man (except at Center Camp to buy coffee and ice), but when I gave them a crocheted water bottle holder as thanks, they acted like I’d given them gold. 

I learned that I am reliant on coffee, but that on some days, vodka is better than wine. I was reminded of how very valuable our connections with people are, and how important our friendships are – old and new. I learned that it’s okay to cry and it’s okay to trust people you don’t know. And that it can be incredibly liberating to wear a tutu, even when you normally hate your thighs.

The biggest thing I learned at Burning Man is that crowds of strangers can be amazing in the right place. How wonderful would it be if everyone was kind and helpful and non-judgmental and trust-worthy everywhere you went? That is what you find in the middle of the Nevada desert once a year. And that is why they greet everyone with a hug and a “welcome home” when you get there.

I will most certainly be going back.