Birth and Burning Man

BM Baby by Marco Sanchez.

In 2016, I attended Burning Man, the indescribable annual festival in the Nevada desert. A year and some change later, I birthed a baby. Sitting soft and damp on a couch with a nursling, texting with a burner friend, I realized the two experiences had more in common than I ever would’ve guessed.

1. It’s expensive.

But that’s not the point.

2. A hand-picked crew comes in handy.

A slice of the Hammer and Cyclery crew by Leori Gill.

You want to surround yourself with chill, competent people. No drama llamas for this complicated time, please.

3. Exposed boobs and nudity are less of a big deal.

It’s just easier without all those clothes.

4. You need to eat a lot.

Heat, altitude, breastfeeding — take your pick.

5. It is mind-blowingly creative.

“Lord Snort,” as captured by Curtis Simmons.

From a baby’s ear to an art installation, a uterus and Black Rock City are sites of incredible detail work.

6. Everything takes longer.

Each day-to-day task suddenly because a minor (or major) challenge. How do you wash dishes with no running water, or with one hand? How do you dress for a forty-degree temperature range, or to nurse at a wedding?

7. You’re up at all hours.

Sleep when you can!

8. Every person has a different burn or birth, every time.

Each year or birth, you are different. The people are different. Black Rock City and baby, working from a blueprint but built from scratch, are different.

9. You can’t describe it.

But Lord knows you’ll try.

10. You feel kinship with people who have gone through it.

Burning Man buddies, as captured by Leori Gill.

Unless they have a really different philosophy or approach, in which case you’ll probably avoid them.

11. You come away with battle scars.

If you make it through Burning Man unscathed, you’re doing it wrong.

12. It’s hard to talk about anything else afterward.

Sorry-not-sorry.

By Annelogue.