Win two tickets to the RiSE festival, and learn why blogger Tiffany Mitchell can’t wait to meet you there.
Soon to make its annual appearance in the Mojave Desert, RiSE Festival unites a community while inspiring individual hopes and dreams. As their website states, RiSE embraces “a centuries-old idea that’s both simple and powerful. Thousands of lanterns, each representing a hope, a dream, a new leaf, or a forgotten wish coming together to form something beautiful.”
The festival’s significance, not to mention its beauty, captivated us immediately, which is why we’ve teamed up with RiSE and instagrammer and blogger Tiffany Mitchell to get you there. Scroll to the bottom of this post and enter your email for your chance to win 2 tickets, comped parking/shuttle (whichever you choose), a one-night stay in a Las Vegas hotel, as well as a RiSE festival merchandise package valued at $80.
But first, we’d like to share Tiffany’s story, her motivation for attending RiSE. We’re humbled, yet empowered, to share in her heartbreak, healing and eventual self-love. What would you like to achieve by visiting RiSE?
I’m about to open up a lot more than I ever have online. I’ve been wanting to for a while, but the final push came recently when I was invited to attend RiSE Festival in Mojave with Free People on October 10th. The timing was sort of miraculous…but I’ll get into all of those magical details in a bit. For now, here goes…
I grew up with a pretty positive outlook on life. I had good friends, played sports, got good grades and felt kind of invincible. That lasted until the end of high school, when I experienced real fear for the first time. I had become afraid to let people know me, which meant shallow relationships and seclusion. I crafted a socially acceptable version of myself that I sent out to deal with the world. I refused to take risks because they challenged me on levels I wasn’t comfortable with. I loved to create things, but only in secret because they threatened to reveal a part of the real me. Basically, I got really good at hiding.
I was protecting myself from so many experiences that people actually started to know me as “the scared one.” I filled dozens of journals with the confusion of living outwardly as one person – neat, tidy and safe – but with another person trapped inside. That person was an adventurer. Someone who loved people so much that she couldn’t wait to take the next risk if it meant connecting with someone more deeply or inspiring them to live more fully. Someone who believed that dreams weren’t meant to remain as such. They were to be chased and tackled. Someone who saw creativity as a language that could communicate love and inspiration more beautifully than anything else. Someone who saw moments as gifts and grace as a foundation. I started to wonder if that person was even real because I had no idea how to let her out.
The years following high school were a roller coaster. I developed some very difficult health issues, got married, moved halfway across the country, experienced a miscarriage, went through a divorce and found myself moving to Nashville with a bag of very broken pieces…but also, some hope. I felt like a failure in almost every way, but my shell started to crack. What seemed like an irreparable mess had actually made me see that my self-protection and steel walls couldn’t shield me from the hard stuff. I couldn’t earn or force a painless life. So if I was going to get scraped up and bruised anyway, why not be laughing and running while it happened?
And then I found it – freedom.
I’m here now, looking back on an ever unfolding journey of life and healing. I’m realizing that every forward step has been the result of learning to love more deeply or creating something true. Every backward step, fear and hiding. When I started my blog and joined the Instagram community a few years ago, my mission was to share the real parts of that journey along with simple glimpses into my daily life. I hoped all of it might inspire someone somewhere to realize how beautiful and creative he/she is — how precious and valuable life is, and that the big and little things are all worth sharing. I want to encourage people to try something new. Whether it’s learning how to make good coffee, picking up a paint brush, baking a batch of cookies, connecting with an old friend or flying to another part of the world. If any part of your heart has fluttered at the thought of doing it…it needs to happen. My most recent “new thing” was getting a motorcycle license. I finally got up the courage and now I can moto around with my mom who has been riding since I was tiny!
It’s a daily challenge. Things happen constantly that I’m afraid to do or open up about. I get discouraged and wonder if my own story is worth telling, or if maybe it’s safer to hide out for a season or two. I recently had a particularly discouraging day and was praying hard for some kind of affirmation, something to lift my spirit. Within 12 hours, an e-mail came through inviting me to attend RiSE Festival with Free People. I was stunned. I closed my eyes, let the tears fall and breathed deep. It was profoundly familiar — feeling so small and being loved so well, with such detail. RiSE Festival is all about togetherness, overcoming, letting go and celebrating dreams. I pondered how the picture of learning humility, sharing yourself with the world, becoming brave, creating true things, adventuring and loving fiercely looks to me like being lifted out of a dark and muddy place into beautiful light. Like rising.
I’m so honored to be continuing my journey at RiSE…to be surrounded by so many people, together releasing beautiful pieces of themselves into a glowing night sky. Magic. And I might even see you there!
Free People is giving away two tickets to the festival + a night at a hotel, free shuttle or parking, and a bag of RiSE Festival swag. Please enter and share a piece of your journey with me in the comments below.
Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about me. I would love to know more about you and hear your story of life, creating, relationship and healing.
The world is too big to stay in one place, life is too short to do just one thing, and you are too beautiful to stay hidden.
Learn more about RiSE Festival: http://risefestival.com/
Follow Tiffany on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
This is so truly beautiful, thank you so much for sharing such a personal journey!
Your words rattled me in a really great way. Thanks for sharing, rock on! :)
This is such a beautiful and honest post and I can’t express how much your words moved me. I can relate on so many aspects of your journey, as I’ve struggled with this internal view of who I see myself to be versus how I portray myself. I haven’t totally had a breakthrough to freedom yet, and so your post brought me hope that I need to keep going…that the freedom is possible! I too have had a long, tough journey the past year including an incredibly tough illness I had to work through. It’s amazing how many people can be touched and influenced by your boldness and transparency of your personal story. Your Instagram page is absolutely stunning and inspiring. Keep on doing what you’re doing Tiffany! You’re an inspiration. Enjoy RiSE, I’m sure it’s going to be magical ⭐️
“If any part of your heart has fluttered at the thought of doing it… It needs to happen”. What a great way to think. Thanks for sharing
Enjoy RiSE, Tiffany! You most definitely deserve it. Your story has inspired me and – I’m sure – so many others. I would love to be given the opportunity to attend RiSE. Prior to reading your blogpost, I didn’t know what RiSE was, but now I’m realizing, I need this more than ever and would be so honored to be able to share in this amazing experience with others from around the world!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful experience!
Wow so beautiful and inspirational. Stunning pictures! I hope I can make it to RISE, it’s def on my bucket list! :D
x
StephC
http://sstephcc.blogspot.com/
What a beautiful story, Tiffany.
You’ve truly been an inspiration to be for the past year or so, and I can’t thank you enough. It’s pretty crazy how someone you’ve never met offline can have such an impact. It was really great learning more about you, and keep on being awesome!
:)
-Jillian
theanastasiaco.com
Ally – Thank YOU for taking the time to read it!! :D <3
Samantha – I am SO glad! Thank you for your encouraging words! <3
Annie – You have no idea how much that means to me! Thank you for being so open and for your beautiful words! The freedom IS possible and it sounds like you have an incredible story to tell! <3
Madeleine – Thank you for reading! :D <3
Stephanie – Thank you so much!! It would be amazing if you did!!! :D
Jillian – Thank you so much for your kind words! It means the world to me that you've been inspired! :D I really love how such amazing connection is possible even without meeting face to face. But meeting *is* really the best haha! Come to RiSE!!! <3
Thank you so much for sharing your journey Tiffany! I think you would be surprised to know just how many people feel like you (and hide it as well!) and how sharing your story can really help others feel less like a “freak” and get a sense of solidarity and courage. I’ve been through a similar life experience myself, except in my case it was a debilitating anxiety disorder from all kinds of ptsd. My own situation has required massive amounts of emdr therapy and working day in and out to undo the habits my mind has settled into. It’s hard and exhausting work. But the hard work pays off! I think we need to share these stories of recovery more, so others know that it’s possible to live a better life.
Also, you’re a beautiful writer! I suspect it’s because you’re completely honest and sincere while writing. It just feels so good to read :) Good luck to you!
I keep running into self discoveries of divine truth today. I woke up this morning feeling over whelmed. I have chosen a new path just recently. And the only way i was able to do that was to believe in myself, believe in my spirit and believe in my divine truth. I’m reminded by the intentions that i make how deeply connected we all are.
Earlier this morning I started to feel those walls, you speak of, going right up. My ego was trying to put them back up, it felt safe because i’m was feeling scared and powerless. So trying not to give into fear, I went to a inspiring site, (mysticmamma.com) i visit often. I read a beautiful piece of an author by the name of Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. He was one of the answer to my fears that have tried to rush over me in the past week and this morning. Reminding me to stay awaken to my trueself.
We all have those days and we all can be inspired by one another. After listening to his audio book for a couple hours, after the gym i decide to hop on some social media. On the left of the screen i saw a poncho that was super cute and decided to click on the link. The site said it was only $15 and I’ve been ripped off before so i decided to search for an endless ponchos online that was better quality and search came up with Freepeople.com.
So I clicked right in and found some amazing pieces with higher prices for my budget, right now. But i knew i was window shopping and yet this is still only the beginning of my successful career and i knew this would just inspire me to work hard so i can buy some of these beautiful pieces, quicker.
Then I see a ad. to enter to win free tickets to Rise festival. Talk about coincidence, but knowing it wasn’t i proceeded to read. I knew as i kept reading this was only yet another divine placement for my journey. Reading your inspiring words reminds that me none of us are alone. We are all here for purpose. We are all here with similar stories and wishes, hope and truth. I just wanted to say thank you and i thank my divine for never failing to put the right things and people in my path to inspire every moment in my awakened life.
So much love to you Tiffany and the people at FreePeople. I’m most humbled. And i hope you enjoy the beautiful festival that you absolutely deserve. <3
Light and Love,
Summer.
Tiffany there aren’t specific words to describe exactly how I felt while reading your post. I was a transplant to Nashville four years ago from California, my then husband moved our two children and myself here to be close to his family with promise of a “better life”. Well now I stand at a fork in the road of my life as a single mother surrounded by what used to be an extension of my family. For the past year I had no idea what I was doing or going to do just living each day in fear. By chance or accident or divine intervention on Instagram came across this passage by John Krakauer Into The Wild “You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living. My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it, and all you have to do is reach for it. The only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubbornness to engage in new circumstances.” Then today, again by chance read your blog post with a similar type of message. I think the universe is trying to tell me something! Rise Festival seems like the perfect experience to bring both beauty, hope and inspiration. Cheers to you Tiffany!
Thank you for being brave enough to give us some of your courage. I feel like that everyday when it comes to my career and putting myself out there especially as a blogger. Thank you thank you for always inspiring me since the first day I stumbled upon your instagram. Thanks for your positive look on life despite the hard stuff that comes with it, keep doing you, we’re all with you a 100% of the way!
-Denny
Awe I enjoyed reading this wish it didn’t have to end so beautifully written! I would love to join rise sounds life a great place to grow and get inspired! I started my blog few years ago writing about our family, products I’ve loved trying, things I am feeling at the moment learning to live in greatful mindset. Meeting and building women, inspiring them is my calling. But there is always those moments where u wish someone would tell u the steps to get that reasurents that’s it’s all not just a waist of time.
So beautiful and inspiring! Thank you!
What’s that line in the Fugees’ song? ”Singing my life with his words…” Through your words, I felt hope and can identify with so much of what you write. I signed up to volunteer at RISE Festival this year because of your post, and anxiously look forward that night to be surrounded by so many like-minded people who are ready to turn their dreams into something more tangible. Thank you so much for your post. It truly resonated with me.
Your story hits close to home. I recently got out of a 18 year relationship. I have two kids 17 and 14. I had my first son at the age of 17 and have been with my children’s father since then. Right before I turned 34 I realized that my relationship was over and that we were spiraling down a very bad road as a couple. We grew apart and I saw it coming when I was doing things that were out of my nature and he was trying to keep me happy with a life that i yearned for by trying to make it his. It wasn’t easy to get use to being on my own. Not having companionship to talk to when you felt sad or you felt happy. or have the warmth of a body next to you at night. There were tears, anxiety, and sleepless night each day. And every day was a challenge to even going to the store alone to shop for food. My children stayed with their father and it was a mutual decision and not having them in the same vicinity was extremely hard. I see them almost everyday but its been an adjustment. There was good and bad days.But mostly bad in the beginning. Things have gotten better and I’m looking forward for things to just come together for me soon. I’m taking one day at a time. through this new journey of mine of being on my own I realized i’m not alone. Old friends have surfaced and kept me positive. My current friends have been so supportive and there for me even financially when i needed them. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for most of my family. I’m a very forgiving person and I find it that i can’t hold to grudges because i need peace in my heart, mind, and soul. I want to live life to the fullest from enjoying the smallest things to the biggest things. I want to embrace this new chapter in life with peace and love in my heart. I wrote this quick insert “She stopped searching for a light and took darkness in in order to free her soul” Its how I felt about my 18 year relationship I tried saving it by finding the brighter side of things but I knew that ending it would bring me pain but also freedom for my soul. I folllow free people on instagram and saw the picture of you running in the field with your beautiful dress and learned about rise festival through that. I found it to be something amazing to attend on my own and embrace for the first time in my life. Thank you for sharing your story and for it helped me realized that i’m not alone. that they’re other journeys similar like mines out there. I’m excited to embrace freedom at rise festival. Much Love -Lo
my dream to go.
I would love for the opportunity to be able to attend the RiSE Festival this year. I was able to go last year scoring some last minute tickets and I have to say it was the best night of the year and quite possibly my life. I know some will say the event was “a disaster” and this and that, and I can admit when my shuttle finally arrived to the event no mats were left and we were without lanterns. My boyfriend and I split up to try and find supplies right before the first launching of the lanterns and we almost lost each other in the enormous crowd. We found one another and were in each other’s arms the second before the first release. What were tears of disappointment and frustration about the supplies turned into tears of joy- for I was with my boyfriend witnessing the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. The RiSE festival is something I will never ever forget. It was life changing. I would love to be able to experience the festival again this year. This year has been particularly a tough one with dealing with a yet to be diagnosed possible autoimmune disease that seems to strike whenever it fancies, even when traveling in Europe. I’ve seen countless doctors and been in and out of the hospital for the last 2 years with chronic pain and random difficult symptoms causing me to miss a lot of work and be let go from my job. I remain positive for answers and doctors to do their job to get to the bottom of it all. In the meantime I have learned I truly must cherish everyday,…the good with the “bad.” I get goosebumps thinking of the RiSE festival again and would be beyond grateful for the chance to set off another lantern for more dreams to come true. Life is art and this festival is truly a celebration of that.
Xoxo,
Steffanie
I love your story and that you want to inspire others.
This part of my journey is a very painful mess. My marriage is currently broken and I pray for it to be restored and saved from the threat of divorce everyday. I have two children in preschool, ages 3&4, the younger of which was diagnosed with Autism just this past April. I attend my local MOPS group with fierce dedication. I am a habitual crafter and love creating things. My half time job is about an hour away from where I live. Depression has been a personal battle for about 5 years and have recently started the journey of getting help and healing. To say that my life is a hot mess would be a gross understatement, but I have hope that Jesus will hold me and make good of my mess.
It was refreshing to read your story and see your willingness to be vulnerable. Thank you for sharing and encouraging others to do the same. It was very nice to meet you. From a kindered spirit to yours, I hope that you enjoy a magical night at Rise! Leanna
I can relate to this in my own way too. I left Canada and moved to LA after a bad breakup and lots of negativity around me to start again from a clean slate. But you can’t really start a clean slate when your past experiences you hold to yourself continue to wash itself on your slate. I came to LA with no job, no family, no place to stay, no car, and no friends – and not American. You can imagine I was kinda…terrified. What if my past held me back and what if I was too scared to start again and fail? The first year was the hardest. But I continued to try to remain positive and hopeful and…it might sound a bit strange…. but my close friend was visiting me from Canada who was also going through a rough patch. And we wrote on a baloon whatever negative experience was holding us back or we wanted to let go of, and we went and watched our “troubles” float away. It might sound weird, but it really helped. And now with Rise, I want to put the positive wishes and hopes on that and watch that float away. Going from negative to positive takes work, but I feel so free and happy here now.
this is such a powerful and moving post.
You are brave and courageous for putting your unique story out there for so many people to read. You are such an inspiration to many! Wish you nothing but happiness while you continue through your journey! I have not yet got to experience RiSE, but I look forward to the day I do!
Beautiful story. Tiffany enjoy Rise. I went last year and I’m going again this year. What an emotional and beautiful night it was. I felt so different after that I just can’t explain. I was cleansed from all the stress and anxiety that was going on in my life. That when I left the festival I felt like a new woman. So enjoy yourself on this magical night.
“What seemed like an irreparable mess had actually made me see that my self-protection and steel walls couldn’t shield me from the hard stuff. I couldn’t earn or force a painless life. So if I was going to get scraped up and bruised anyway, why not be laughing and running while it happened?”
Just like the movie tangled, I’ve pined over seeing the lanterns in person rather than photos. And going from a happily planned pregnancy to being a single mother, I, MORE THAN EVER, would like to be able to experience, not only the beauty of this festival, but the means of letting go of the hurt and anger I have. To forgive and just be free from all the toxic energy/people in my life. To be able to start a new, move on with life and happily experience every second of it with my daughter.