2025 Live Show Series: Christian Lee Hutson, Damien Jurado, Mick Flannery, Father John Misty, Neil Young & The Dead South

That's the list for this year so far. I've been to a lot of concerts and live shows in my day---somewhere in the realm of 100 or more. Depending on how much I like the artist, I find it's the one pastime I don't mind spending a bunch of money on. But then I got knee deep in raising kids, COVID hit, and I returned to school. With all that going on, I didn't prioritize myself and let my preferred activities slip to the wayside. Since finishing school in 2023, I've been making big efforts to reclaim this side of myself. It's a small change that requires planning and sacrifice when you have kids (sometimes even bringing them along if it's an all-ages thing), but it's worth it. I'll be missing the Vancouver Folk Fest this year and I can't see every artist on my list, but luckily I've already been to two live shows and have several more to go. With the exception of The Dead South, I've already seen all of these artists at least once (maybe that's the neurodivergent in me, I'm not sure?), but I'm probably most excited to see the GOAT, Neil Young.

I think it's worthwhile to ask yourself what you enjoy doing and make time for it, even when you're a busy mom of three like I am. Self-abandonment isn't sexy, ya feel me?