Finding Forest, Finding Myself
There are few moments in life that truly wake you up from the inside out—and for me, that moment happened at Electric Forest. I showed up unprepared, with just the bare minimum packed, not knowing what to expect. But the second I stepped through those gates, it felt like something in my soul finally clicked. I was met with peace, calm, and this surreal sense of presence that I hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just a music festival—it was something far more sacred. It felt like stepping into a dream I had been chasing my whole life but didn’t know how to describe until I was living it.
Before Forest, my life had been marked by trauma, addiction, and the constant battle of trying to feel okay in a world that had left so many scars. I spent years numbing the pain of my past—childhood trauma, abuse, violence, and loss—with alcohol and opiates. I lied to others, but mostly to myself, just trying to survive. But Forest gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: clarity. For the first time, I didn’t feel broken—I felt human, connected, and awake.
During Electric Forest week, I made the conscious choice to use some “extracurriculars”—not to escape, but to go deeper. I wanted to face the parts of myself my mind usually shields me from. With intention and purpose, I let myself feel everything. I revisited memories, released pain, and embraced healing in a way I didn’t know was possible. That journey—spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal—became one of the most important turning points in my sobriety. Second only to the day I chose to get clean, Electric Forest gave me a new lens on life.
Electric Forest 2025 just wrapped up not too long ago. And even though I couldn’t physically attend this year, I felt myself there in spirit. It’s hard to explain, but Forest never really leaves you. Once you’ve experienced that kind of presence, peace, and connection—it stays with you. And that’s what this Project is all about. Carrying that light, that energy, and that healing into everyday life. My hope is that this space becomes a place for others to feel that same spark—whether you’ve been to the Forest or are still finding your way through your own.