I returned to LA from Georgia over a week ago and am just beginning to feel part of my life again. It’s something I write and think about frequently; the idea that there is my real life and my temporary life, the one I have never figured out how to live while on location, from a hotel room on the side of a freeway, complete with bad carpeting and a mini fridge. And while I have discovered a few of the things that keep me connected (finding organic produce at Target, my workout CDs, and books), it still feels like I am killing time, waiting to get back to living.
So, what is living? When do I feel connected and present in my life? In addition to being around those I love, with whom laughter, talking, and silence come easy, the answer seems to be creativity. Whether its a blog post, a meal, or a card, when I create something, I feel that I am communicating with the world and can rest well. For the past week I haven’t been sleeping and have also felt too tired to create anything; my meals have been quick, my outfits boring, my blogs nonexistent. Blank. But, slowly, the juices are returning. The energy to cook, write, and create beauty is returning and I trust that, with some rest, so will the desire to pursue the larger projects floating around in my head.
I bought flowers, avocados, limes, and chips on the way home from work. Time for a brainstorming, list making, happy hour party, even if it’s just me and my computer, on a Wednesday afternoon. If I am going to keep making my living in an industry I don’t love, but that allows me time off and pays my bills, there need to be some ground rules:
1.Only go on Location if it’s to somewhere Awesome, for no longer than a month, and only if I am going to make a bunch of money.
2. Create something, anything, once a week, minimum. Write something everyday.
3. Use the money I make working to sign up for every class/workshop that looks fun, writing and otherwise. Save the rest.
4. Say No to Full Time work. Part time allows for classes and projects.
5. Never forget to find and create beauty, even in Georgia.
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