A word from those that do big, great, hard things

The people behind the public events that you enjoy every week, or periodically throughout the seasons? We’re tired. So tired. Just like you, we’ve succumbed to a global pandemic and all the sweeping life changes that it brought with it. We too, ran out of toilet paper. We too, had to adjust our schedules, shift to ordering online, and feared the wrath of a global virus that didn’t seem to have a rhyme or reason to who it chose as victims.

We’re tired from all of that, but mostly, now that things are starting (albeit slowly) to come out of the dark, we’re tired of you.

We’re tired of the vitriol and the commentary that you just simply can’t help yourself with. We’re tired of arguing with you about the rules and regulations that we must abide by – whether you think they’re worthy or not. Your complete lack of understanding of what it takes to put on a farmers market, a live music event, a running event or a festival? Well, simply put, it’s exhausting.

In addition to becoming experts in science, socioeconomic & race studies you also seem to have an expert level degree in event planning. You seem to have a very distinct understanding in how we all do our jobs and how very simple of a “choice” it is. A choice to comply or not with state and local mandates. Well hallelujah and holy shit, I didn’t realize that it was so easy all this time! Why didn’t I know that I could simply disregard things I didn’t feel like doing and just carry on with my life in a way in which I felt “free?” Goodbye seatbelts, speed limits and DUI’s – I guess I can just do what I want because, my rights! *yes, sarcasm is a weapon and I use it frequently.

If I’m anything like the rest of my event planners & market manager friends, I’m guessing we can all recite, by rote, the responses that we give on the daily, in the double digits. I’m guessing we’re all used to being VERY fearful of pushing that “post” button that includes our latest event or update, because of the backlash we’re going to get. The trolls that simply can’t scroll by but need to let us know how we’re dividing a community, sheep, or promoting fear by simply adhering to laws.

Shout out to my small business friends that own brick & mortars – I can’t even imagine doing it daily, just the 3x a week I dealt with people over the last 2 years has been plenty enough to turn my brain, my soul and my “be a good person” vibe into mush.

So yes, this is yet another post by your fiery friend Sarah reminding you of how tired we all are. How you may not even be able to comprehend the level of exhaustion that many of us are facing when dealing with this nearly 24-7 for nearly 2 years. That’s not to say you aren’t tired too – everyone is in the same storm but rowing a different boat…or a yacht…or piece of a door like Jack & Rose in Titanic (that’s where I’m at btw.) It’s also not to say that we 100% believe with 100% of everything that is being communicated. I can definitely think of better ways for the pandemic to have been handled, but I’m surely happy to stay in my lane, get a shot, wear a mask and do my part so we have some semblance of normal before next market season. Stop assuming we’re fear mongering left-wing sociopaths that would rather have a society like Burning Man than a regular, normal existence.

This is your reminder to be a decent human. Do your research, stop commenting with flippant bullshit that does literally nothing to help anyone. Vote with your dollars and your ballot this fall if you need to see things changed. But for the love of all things human – be fucking kind to people…it’s really that simple.