40 In My 40s | Live Entertainment

jwhetstoneatc
Aug 12, 2025
3 min read

Kicking off another goal for the #40InMy40s Campaign!

The 40 In My 40s campaign is about intentional experiences—the kind that wake you up, pull you into the present moment, and remind you that life is meant to be lived, not rushed through.

This chapter of the journey is fueled by sound, energy, and connection: Attending 40 concerts or live shows.

Music. Theater. Comedy. Spoken word. Intimate venues. Different stages. Different crowds. Same outcome: joy, connection, and presence.

Why Live Experiences Matter More Than Ever

In a world dominated by screens, streaming, and constant distraction, live shows force us to do something radical: be fully present.

No pause button. No multitasking. No replay.

Just the moment.

Attending live performances reconnects us to shared human experience—where emotion, creativity, and energy collide in real time.

The Benefits of Attending Live Concerts & Shows

Live events aren’t just entertaining—they’re surprisingly powerful for personal well-being.

🎶 Emotional Release & Stress Reduction

Music and live performance stimulate dopamine and endorphins, helping reduce stress and elevate mood. Singing along, laughing, or simply absorbing the performance provides a healthy emotional outlet.

🧠 Mental Engagement & Presence

Live shows demand attention. The lights, sounds, storytelling, and crowd energy pull you out of autopilot and into the present moment—something many of us rarely experience.

❤️ Memory Creation

Experiences, not things, are what we remember most vividly. Concerts and shows anchor memories to specific moments in life—who you were with, what season you were in, and how it felt to be alive in that instant.

🔄 Breaking Routine

New venues, genres, and performers stretch comfort zones and introduce novelty—one of the brain’s favorite ingredients for growth and creativity.

The Community Live Shows Create

One of the most underrated aspects of concerts and live performances is community.

You walk in as strangers. You leave bonded by a shared experience.

Thousands singing the same lyrics
A room erupting in laughter at the same moment
A crowd holding collective silence during a powerful scene

Live events create temporary tribes—people connected not by background or beliefs, but by emotion and experience.

These moments remind us that we are not alone, that joy is amplified when shared, and that community can exist even without conversation.

The Fun Factor (Because That Matters Too)

Let’s be honest—this goal is also about fun.

Road trips to shows
Discovering new artists or performances
Dressing up, staying out late, and saying “yes” more often
Dancing without worrying who’s watching
Laughing until your face hurts

Fun is not frivolous. Fun is fuel.

It recharges creativity, strengthens relationships, and keeps life from becoming overly serious or monotonous.

Why This Goal Belongs in 40 In My 40s

Attending 40 concerts or live shows is about more than entertainment—it’s about choosing experience over excess, presence over productivity, and joy over routine.

This goal represents:

Investing in memories, not material things
Prioritizing joy as a discipline
Supporting artists, performers, and local venues
Saying yes to life’s invitations

It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always come from pushing harder—sometimes it comes from playing more.

Show Number 1 - Collective Soul

August 12th, 2025 - Had a great time attending the Collective Soul concert with some great friends at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO. This was actually my second time seeing the band and they brought even more energy and sound to the stage at this historic outdoor theater. Excited for 39 more live shows!