Its that time of the year when it feels like absolutely everyone on the soca scene is packing their bags and catching that flight to the island of Soca, sweet sweet T and T. For those who are not fortunate enough to make the annual pilgrimage, it’s a tough period as everywhere you turn you are greeted with reminders of what could have been!

I, unfortunately, join the list of non-revellers this year and have put together a few pointers on how to stay sane for the two weeks that Trinidad carnival is in full swing.

1. First and foremost, avoid social media – Needless to say, this is probably the worst provider of ammunition to that FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) feeling. With so many channels now available, (Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat to name a few, or newly introduced ‘Status’) it’s almost impossible not to stumble across someone’s post about a lime or fete they attended in Trinidad. As Carnival approaches, it only gets worse. Your other option, which some of my friends have opted for, is to unfriend or block your soca friends until it’s all over on Ash Wednesday. For those with tougher skin that remain unaffected by social media, good on you, I for one will be avoiding where possible.

2. Now, even as a self-confessed socaholic, (I mean I listen to soca 365 days of the year) but even I would advise listening to minimal 2017 Soca (or soca in general). I’m sure i’m not the only one that imagined themselves jumping on the stage and having a time when they first heard Machel’s Beat it. Nothing cements the fact that you’re missing the ‘greatest show on earth’ more than hearing all of the new soca songs that you should be hearing on the road whilst feeling the sun beating down on you, surrounded by family and friends with a drink in your hand. It’s a little too much to handle on a daily basis.

3. Another way to forget what you’re missing out on is to enjoy what you have right here in front of you, in the form of a fete (something which some may decide against however). The great thing about the London soca scene is that there is always something going on and that means always, even when international carnivals are taking centre stage. Grab your friends and recreate the time you would be having abroad right here in London.

Check out the UK Soca Scene Fete Guide and Events Calendar for information on fetes near you.

4. Lastly what do you do when you miss out on one carnival? You make plans for another of course! The hardest part of missing carnival for me is actually missing out on J’ouvert. There is nothing like waking up at 3am on Monday morning, getting ready with your team and walking through the streets of Woodbrook looking for the starting point of your band. Cure your tabanca by adding something new to your calendar to look forward to.

To all friends, family and soca lovers enjoying Trinidad carnival this year, have a time, take a whine and bring back some sun. To those joining me on staying sane till they return, we got this!