Dust, Rock and Wellbeing: Lessons from an Outback Music Festival

the sign at Mundi Mundi

Last week I attended Mundi Mundi, a music festival set deep in the Australian outback. Forget the usual, polished festival scene – this was a raw, real, offline and for me, a transformative adventure. Beyond the awesome music and spectacular scenery, the outback provided a powerful crucible for reflection, communion and regrounding. Here are a few things I took away from the experience.

1. Real Connection

Out in the desert, stripped of phone service and the usual comforts, I connected with friends and strangers alike in a real, genuine and present way. People were friendly, unhurried and relaxed – and rather than having our faces buried in our phones, we engaged and laughed with each other far more readily.

2. The Power of Play

Being completely unplugged for a week was kind of uncomfortable at first, but then… liberating. As I danced to rock beats, the long sunset created a powerful backdrop before the stars emerged and dazzled above, devoid of light pollution. I was reminded that joy and play aren't just extras in life; they're essential.

3. Wellbeing is the Whole Picture

Wellbeing is about mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as physical. Connecting with others, as well as the magnificent Australian outback, brought me back to a place of reverence and contentment I’d forgotten I could inhabit.

4.  Perspective Adjustment

The sheer scale of the outback, plus being totally offline for days on end, put things into perspective fast. The worries that usually consume my day-to-day seemed so small. It was a great reminder to seek objectivity and new angles on life, and not get caught up in the minutiae.

During the 10 hour drive home, soundtracked by much of the music I’d soaked up during those days in the desert, I let the insights settle. Mundi Mundi was a reminder that sometimes the best lessons are learned when I’m not just churning through my to-do list or performatively at my desk until 8pm. They arise from putting myself – as Cheryl Strayed puts it – in the way of beauty. And stepping out of the ordinary and into new experiences.