In the summer of 2015, I went to my fourth festival of the season, expecting music and mayhem – not facial paralysis. On the second day, I woke up and the entire left side of my face wouldn't move. A trip to the first aid tent confirmed I had Bell’s Palsy, likely from a cold draft in my tent. It’s usually something older people get, so naturally, my 22-year-old self was thrilled.
I couldn’t blink, smile, or laugh without looking like I was melting. My friends found it hilarious. And, of course, “I Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd had just dropped – so that became my unfortunate theme song. The paralysis lasted six weeks.
Somehow, this weird experience inspired a creative idea: a brutally honest festival survival guide. Each chapter shares practical tips followed by the story that inspired them. All the stories are real, from me and my friends, and every photo was taken at a festival.
The book doesn’t promote drug use or reckless behavior – it just aims to prepare people for the unexpected, with a bit of humor and a lot of honesty. This is just a snippet from the 32-page guide – written to help others survive festival season (ideally with their faces fully functioning).
