I don't usually contribute much to this forum - I'm a huge lurker (see my post history) - but felt compelled to reply to this post.
At the beginning of 2022, I went through a very painful break-up (fairly mutual - but it was quite ugly in terms of how quickly my ex moved on, etc) - and it really negatively impacted my MH, where I was struggling to understand my human value and contribution to the world (in hindsight, my confidence and self worth were shattered beyond belief, and that wasn't just tied into my break-up) - I wasn't suicidal by any means of the stretch, but I was beyond broken, struggling to leave the house - only leaving the house to go to the gym and seeing my lone friend (I've never had loads and loads of friends).
I had managed to get my Glastonbury tickets before COVID hit - with some friends who I don't see that often, but after this break-up, I was dreading it - as I'd fully become an introvert and it was going to be the first big event I'd been to since then, and the most time away I'd spend away from home since then - I'd really considered giving my ticket back and not going at all - the thought of pretending to be happy and being amongst a big crowd were overwhelming beyond belief.
Being a huge Coldplay fan (blasphemy in these ends, I know) - I always remember when Chris Martin described Glastonbury as the band's "spiritual home" during a press conference the year they played the Super Bowl - and I always thought what an odd statement to make - until I went to Glastonbury 2022 - I don't know what happened there, it was just a surreal experience (baring in mind it was my 6th time) - there were still times I felt overwhelmed and sad (Sam Fender's set being one), but I felt more forgiving for the state of my mental health, whereas previously I was battling myself for feeling that way - I think that's the thing I'm most grateful to Glastonbury 2022 for - shifting my mindset and being kinder to myself and being at peace with myself - peace wasn't something I felt I could gain at that moment in time - so it was a weird feeling at Glasto.
Reflecting the person I am now a year later is quite the contrast (in a non-bragging way) - I was fortune enough to buy my first home, get promoted at work and have generally learnt now to be more comfortable in my own skin - none of this seemed possible a year ago - and going back to OP's question around longer term positive impact - I genuinely believe I have Glastonbury to thank for that - I guess it's my "spiritual home" now too...
