- Category
lifestyle - Published
2021 - Festival count
5 - Photos taken
500+
My Summer Tradition Since 2019
There's no hiding it—summer has always been, and will probably always be, my favourite time of year. Not just because of the weather, but because it gives me the chance to slow down and spend time with the people who make every day worth getting up for.
I've been fortunate that, whether through work or freelance gigs, I've always managed to save up enough money to travel. Every summer, I visit friends from university, go on a holiday with my partner, and take part in one of the most exciting (and expensive) highlights of July: Tomorrowland.
I first discovered Tomorrowland when I was 18. Back then, it felt like a far-fetched dream—something completely out of reach. But a couple of years later, in my early twenties, I somehow got through the infamous waiting list and managed to grab two weekend tickets... with no one to go with. For a while, it looked like I might be travelling solo—until one of my closest university friends decided, last minute, to join me. I'm so glad he did.
Calling that weekend the craziest of our lives still feels like an understatement. It was unforgettable, and it made our friendship even stronger. While I could dance for three days straight without losing steam, my friend was completely burned out by the end. Still, the next year when I got tickets again, he came along. And again, the next year. And the next.
At this point, it's become a tradition—one of my favourite ones. The people we travel or hang out with might change each year, but the two of us always end up going. Every December or January, after half-hearted declarations of “maybe we'll skip it this year,” he inevitably comes around with a quiet “…would be kinda fun though, wouldn't it?” And just like that, we're back on our screens hunting for “cheap” tickets.
I'm sure one year we'll miss it—or decide to try something new—but for now, I really appreciate having this tradition with a good friend. It's easy to get consumed by work or studies and forget to take time for yourself. And if you're not careful, that routine can start to wear you down.
That's why I think it's so important to have something to look forward to. Whether it's a weekend away, a night out in the park, or just screaming your favourite song for the hundredth time, these are the moments that remind me to stay grounded—and grateful for the people who pull me out of the everyday.
