Hello Ravers of Reddit.

There’s something that’s been on my mind for the past year, and I wanted to share my thoughts here to see if anyone can relate.

I first discovered dance music in my teens. I remember hearing Basshunter’s “All I Ever Wanted” and Mangoo’s “Eurodancer”—I loved it, even though I didn’t fully understand the genre at the time. Fast forward to college and my early post-grad years: YouTube was blowing up, and I stumbled upon DJ sets that introduced me to a whole new world. That’s when I fell in love with EDM and discovered an incredible community of people who share the same passion for the music and the culture.

At 25, I attended my first rave solo, and I was instantly hooked. What started as the occasional festival or show turned into a big part of my life—I was going to events nearly every weekend for about five years. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend amazing festivals like EDC Las Vegas, EDC Orlando, Tomorrowland, and Ultra, and those experiences gave me some of the best memories of my life.

Now, at 32, my priorities have shifted. I’ve grown to enjoy a more laid-back and peaceful lifestyle. While I still love dance music and listen to it daily while working out or getting through my day, I’ve found it harder to enjoy dance music events. Crowds, noise, and the overall experience just don’t bring me the same joy they once did.

I’m struggling with this change because raving was such a huge part of who I was for so long. It gave me joy, connection, and so many unforgettable moments. Letting go of it feels like letting go of a part of myself, even though I know it’s okay to grow and change.

Has anyone else experienced this? How do you navigate evolving past something that once meant so much to you, while still holding onto the love for it in a new way?