**If I were to give my best advice to anyone it would be to regulate your participation. No one likes watching or dealing with a burn-out. I'd say it is essential for mental health to notice when your energy is turning primarily to the negative and to stop and evaluate why that is. It is okay to take breaks and keep some distance from events if you there is a possibility you'll take the nuclear option with your friends and group. The SCA will be there when you feel like ramping back up again, and it will be easier on everyone if we can skip the eyeroll when you return after the flameout and the promise to "never again SCA". I understand why it happens, but I think we just could be better about explaining that love for self must come before love for the SCA. Sometimes I think that people have so much vested that they despair when they get to the all or nothing point - and it isn't really necessary to pull out totally.
**Along with self regulation, I would encourage SCAdians, if they haven't, to pick a persona and a craft or service that they would like to pursue as a specialty. This gives an additional meaning to the SCA experience as one starts to network with people throughout An Tir, out of kingdom (and SCA) for the betterment of all. This goal could range from being a fine autocrat, an excellent cook, a specialist in English tudor everyday living or even just learning what your persona would have known. It gives participation a focus in line with our charter as an educational association.
**Ask for help when you need it.
**If you are a herald, please make sure that you politely consult the people standing close to you (arms-length) before you bellow that announcement at an ear-splitting decibel level.
**Flash photography bothers some people with eye problems. Be sure to check with people, especially those wearing shaded glasses.
**Some people are very allergic to flowers, including roses, as well as other scents. It is polite to ask table mates if flowers are a problem before placing them as a table setting.
**Write down your potluck feast contribution ingredients on a 3x5 card. This helps people with food allergies.
**Avoid the temptation to become an instant expert. So many SCA myths have started with statements like "they never wore pink" or "only royalty can wear purple" stated by someone well-meaning and it spread like the telephone game. It doesn't mean you can't say things, but usually words like "never" and "always" concerning period practice have the potential to be debunked. It's all in the presentation. Ask opinions rather than make sweeping statements.
**Be nice to newcomers, especially to women in regards to their garb. They generally go to some trouble to make/get an outfit and are feeling the magic for the first time. They may not know period at all, but they do want to be acknowledged that they are lovely in their choice of garb and accoutrement. Find something sincerely nice to say about it and then stop, please. I promise that they will glow with happiness if you tell them they are lovely as they are trying to present themselves. Build a rapport and invite them to a more informal event where they can get a feel for what to do. They are the possible future of the society and respect is so important for everyone - we can lose sight of that with our occasional obsession with our rank system.
I guess that's enough of the wheezul's musings for now.
**Along with self regulation, I would encourage SCAdians, if they haven't, to pick a persona and a craft or service that they would like to pursue as a specialty. This gives an additional meaning to the SCA experience as one starts to network with people throughout An Tir, out of kingdom (and SCA) for the betterment of all. This goal could range from being a fine autocrat, an excellent cook, a specialist in English tudor everyday living or even just learning what your persona would have known. It gives participation a focus in line with our charter as an educational association.
**Ask for help when you need it.
**If you are a herald, please make sure that you politely consult the people standing close to you (arms-length) before you bellow that announcement at an ear-splitting decibel level.
**Flash photography bothers some people with eye problems. Be sure to check with people, especially those wearing shaded glasses.
**Some people are very allergic to flowers, including roses, as well as other scents. It is polite to ask table mates if flowers are a problem before placing them as a table setting.
**Write down your potluck feast contribution ingredients on a 3x5 card. This helps people with food allergies.
**Avoid the temptation to become an instant expert. So many SCA myths have started with statements like "they never wore pink" or "only royalty can wear purple" stated by someone well-meaning and it spread like the telephone game. It doesn't mean you can't say things, but usually words like "never" and "always" concerning period practice have the potential to be debunked. It's all in the presentation. Ask opinions rather than make sweeping statements.
**Be nice to newcomers, especially to women in regards to their garb. They generally go to some trouble to make/get an outfit and are feeling the magic for the first time. They may not know period at all, but they do want to be acknowledged that they are lovely in their choice of garb and accoutrement. Find something sincerely nice to say about it and then stop, please. I promise that they will glow with happiness if you tell them they are lovely as they are trying to present themselves. Build a rapport and invite them to a more informal event where they can get a feel for what to do. They are the possible future of the society and respect is so important for everyone - we can lose sight of that with our occasional obsession with our rank system.
I guess that's enough of the wheezul's musings for now.
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