I’m currently sitting at my desk, the hum of the office AC filling the silence, and if I close my eyes, I can still feel the floor shaking from the bass.
It’s been a few days since the lights went up and the confetti settled, and I’ve officially entered what I like to call my post-concert processing phase. Usually, this is where I’d spiral into a bit of a funk, feeling like my "real life" is just a dull, gray waiting room for the next tour. But this time, I’m trying something different.
I’ve decided that if I can feel like a "Main Character" while standing in a merch line for four hours, I should be able to carry that same energy into my 9 to 5. Here is how I’ve been navigating the transition back to reality without losing the spark;
The Morning VCR
I’ve realised that my commute is basically the "Intro VCR" of my workday. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through emails before I’ve even clocked in, I’ve been curating a specific "Commute to the Stage" playlist.
I even started using my I.M by her to schedule my morning messages before I step into the office, so my brain stays in “VCR mode” instead of getting pulled into notifications.
It's honestly the only thing that keeps my mornings from turning into reactive chaos.If you want that same "VCR calm" feeling before your day starts, you can try it here.
When I walk through those sliding glass doors at 8:55 AM, I’m not just "going to work". In my head, I’m the protagonist of a high-budget comeback trailer. It sounds silly, but shifting my mindset from “I have to be here” to “This is just the opening scene” has changed how I carry myself before I even sit down.
My Desk is My Concept Photo
I was looking at my workspace the other day and realised how disconnected it felt from the things I actually love. So, I started small. I tucked a photocard of my "comfort" member into the corner of my monitor stand, not as a distraction, but as a grounding point.
I keep this simple photocard holder that blends into my desk setup, so it feels intentional rather than distracting, like a tiny piece of my world quietly existing beside my work.
I didn't want anything bulky or distracting, just something that quietly exists in my space.This is the kind of simple setup I mean.
When a meeting goes long or a project feels impossible, I catch a glimpse of that little piece of cardstock. It reminds me of the community I belong to and the version of me that exists outside of spreadsheets. It’s like a secret handshake with myself; a reminder that my 9 to 5 supports my 5 to 9 passions.
Channeling "Barricade Brain"
I’ve been thinking a lot about the skills we develop as fans. Last week, I had a deadline that felt like a total crisis, and I caught myself panicking. Then I remembered: I am the same person who successfully navigated a crashed ticketing site while simultaneously coordinating a fan project meetup. I started calling it "Barricade Brain".
It’s the same mindset I used when planning my concert experience, especially when figuring out what to bring and how to actually enjoy the day without stress, I actually broke this down step by step here.
It’s that high level focus and resilience we have when we’re in fandom mode. I’ve started trying to tap into that same resourcefulness at my desk. If I can manage the logistics of a concert trip across the country, I can definitely manage a Q3 presentation.
The Corporate "Stage Outfit"
There’s a specific power in a concert outfit, isn’t there? It’s armor. I’ve started trying to weave that feeling into my work clothes. I’m not wearing a harness to the office (as much as I might want to), but I’ll wear a ring that looks like a group’s logo or a blazer in my fandom’s colour.
Having a few subtle “main character” pieces in my wardrobe completely shifts how I show up, even on the most ordinary days.
It’s my version of "subtle stan" energy. It makes me feel like I’m wearing a costume for a role I’m playing, which somehow makes the stresses of the job feel less personal and more like a performance I'm totally nailing
It's not about dressing up, it's about carrying a feeling with you.
Closing the Loop
The hardest part of post concert processing for me is the "drop", the feeling that the magic is over. To combat that, I’ve been making sure my day has an "encore".
When I get home, I don't just collapse into chores. I take ten minutes to do something that feeds that part of my soul; whether it’s watching a "Behind the Scenes" clip or writing a few lines in my concert diary.
Sometimes I’ll even schedule messages for the next day using I.M by her, so even my future self stays connected when life gets busy.
It’s my way of telling myself that the high doesn't have to fade just because the sun went down.
I’m realising that the "Main Character" isn't someone I become only when the lights are on me in an arena. She’s been here the whole time, even in the middle of a 9 to 5. I’m just finally letting her show up to work.
If you’re also in your “post-concert processing” era, I wrote a cozy recovery guide that might help you navigate that feeling a little more gently, you can read it here.
If you're trying to hold onto that feeling a little longer, not just after concerts but in your everyday life, that's exactly why I built I.M by her.It helps you stay connected to people, to yourself, even when life gets busy.
I’m curious, how do you guys handle the "processing" period after a show? Do you find yourself trying to bring a bit of that magic into your daily routine too?
And if you're building your own little routines to keep the magic alive, I'd love to see what that looks like for you.