Greetings from Los Angeles. I’ve taken the past 3 weeks off from blogging to settle in the way of life here. I’ve been here a number of times as an adult – though the experiences were always fleeting. If I was asked to describe what I felt about LA say, a year ago, even two months ago, my words wouldn’t have been as warm as they are now. More on that in a moment.
One thing that I’ve become far more aware of, particularly in the last couple of months is that lessons in life will keep on presenting themselves to you until you learn and understand them wholly. The lesson I’ve consistently been presented with is to stop rushing aspects of my life when making transition.
Throughout life I’ve consistently been overwhelmed with transition. It has often taken months, even years for me to settle into a new environment or situation comfortably. I suffered heartburn from the stress of the transformation from home life to prep, to high school, then from high school to University then from travels from Melbourne to Sydney to work on my love of media. This desire to rush to the point where I felt like I’ve “arrived” made me miss on appricating the present moment, the joy of change.
While so many great things were happening in my life, my mind amplified the chaos that I created. That feeling of being overwhelmed was created by me, not what was happening around me or to me. I rushed into decisions like signing a 12 month lease in an ultimately undesirable home, living with others when I really shouldn’t have and worrying over matters where I felt powerless – when I did have control, if I just changed the way I thought.
MY LIFE IN LOS ANGELES
Again I’m in a moment in life which is all transition. I’ve come to Los Angeles to know a new city and the people that are in it, socially, spiritually (when it happens) and professionally. No pressure this time, no grand expectations to fulfil by a certain date or age. They still exist, and I’ll never detract from them, but I’m much more inclined to go with the flow – like how I go about my holidays on my own or with certain friends who love spontaneity.
This experience has been nothing but a joy. I’ve lived in a hotel for the longest time of my life while I’ve zipped around Los Angeles to make sense of its geography til I found the right areas to live – I now move into a home tomorrow. I’ve gotten comfortable driving on ‘the other side of the road’. I’ve booked myself to see gigs either on my own or with the tiny groups of friends or acquaintances that I’ve come to know better while here.
Week 1 in LA – Hike at Runyon Canyon with a great view from up top
Neon feathers I found while on a hike in Sullivan Canyon.
And here is the best part – when I wake up in the morning I think about what I feel like doing that day. Not just what I should – cause then the list goes for days. And then the pressure sets in. I still keep to commitments and deadlines however I’ve shifted to work on how I feel. I find a good balance. And with that, I’ve met some of the most intriguing, vibrant wonderful people in stores, cafes, in book shops, while buying ice cream. This has led to seeing gigs that I otherwise wouldn’t have known of such as Amon Tobin at The Greek Theatre or the Taste of Soul Festival (featured image up top) where the black community was in celebration and where Stevie Wonder and Rev Jesse Jackson made a surprise visit and encouraged everyone to register to vote.
Amon Tosin at The Greek Theatre, LA. Amon produces a range of electro sounds in the center cube of his stage show. Projections of topography maps, prisms and bouncing objects are displayed on the cubes and perfectly timed the music.
One of Ellen’s 32 Emmys. This was part of a display of 13 Emmy awards at Telepictures, Burbank. All 13 Emmys at Telepictures are won by women. The other Emmys belong to Tyra Banks and Rosie O’Donnell
PEOPLE IN LA
Then there’s getting to know people, their roots and their profession through long discussions over coffee, tea, meals. My eyes have now been opened to the craft of story telling through film from meeting a man named Hans – who’s professional history includes writing for Star Trek. Then there’s Tosin, a guitar virtuoso that has mastered the 8 string guitar. I’ve also met people in the industry I work in back home – TV Execs that have the best attitude on work and life it’s refreshing to see. Especially since they’re largely the taste makers of mass media and popular culture.
I’ve gone on hikes and been surrounded by the beauty of Californian nature and come into my own. Through my positive, optimistic lens and my calm pace, I’ve been enriched with all I’ve discovered so far.
LIFE FULFILLED. ALWAYS.
The ultimate thing is that I’ve invested into this transition, instead of making compromises and setting hard dates to accomplish things or to allow to be strongly influenced by any one else. And I choose what I do in my day, every day – whole heartedly – and share life with people who’s company I enjoy.
Life is good when you go with the flow.
What are your thoughts about living with this idea? Any examples of when this has worked out the best for you?
Oh my Oh my how i utterley loved reading this blog today! I love your view on life and your guts to get it out there and share
I do know how you feel… I’m similar…actually exactly the same and I love LA. Met amazingly gorgeous people over there in the same industry…The key for me is slowing down… embracing and being grateful for what you have at the moment and then pushing forward 
xx
Thank you Dominique. And I totally agree with you. Being grateful is so key in feeling fulfilled every day. Cheers!
Hey There lovely lady– I did your makeup at ch10 a couple of times & always had a nice chat with you.
It was so refreshing to read your blog today.
You could say I was born in a rush. My mother was always ina rush so I just took this as normal. I’ve recently become a mother myself and have been forced to slow myself down. You can’t be in a hurry with a 5mth old! At first I tried to buck it, but now I see it’s the universes’ way of making me slow down. I’m now starting to enjoy the view.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Carla!
Nice to connect again over the internet. Firstly, congrats on your baby. What a joy for you! Definitely cherish every moment – especially with bub. One really lovely thing my sister in law did with my niece Ella was that she painted the base of her foot and made a stamp on a colourful piece of paper, let it dry, cut out the shape, laminated it and turned it into a book mark for my mum
On it – it also says “When you are tired of reading your book, mark your page with my little foot” then it has her name, and the month and year the stamp was created. I think that is such a simple and beautiful way of capturing a moment in a child’s life and also such and thoughtful present for oneself or for loved ones!