Take ten. Log off all your social media. Take a stroll in the park or on the beach. Think about your life and how you feel this very moment, independent of your current circumstances. Are you happy? Can you find comfort in your own skin? Maybe, you feel strange, or empty. Or, maybe, just maybe, you feel complete.
If you feel anything less than complete, it may be time to reevaluate your thoughts and feelings. Your state of mind likely needs a pick-me-up. Just know that it’s okay to feel like something is missing from time to time. It’s natural for us to feel as if we need something. However, often times our perceived needs are actually wants.
The good news is that even your desires can become a reality. But in order for this to happen, you have to commit to and marry your journey.
When I say “marry your journey,” I’m being literal. Once I committed to moving to Los Angeles, there was nothing that could get between me and my dream. Til’ death do us part. Now, that I’m here and approaching my one-year anniversary with L.A., I have to reflect and revisit the reason I came and examine my relationship with my journey. How are we getting along? Is there a disconnect? Am I growing with my journey? These are the questions I must ask myself daily.
Just like any relationship, marriage with your journey is not easy. In fact, it can bring about doubt, pain, sadness, diminished confidence, and even depression. The worst part, divorce is not an option. Your journey is yours to have and to hold, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Self-love is key in this marriage. Without it, you will allow your journey to tear you down, or you may feel as if you are not getting out what you are putting into the relationship.
Your journey is everything when trying to realize your dreams. For me, the road has been way more difficult than I could have ever imagined. I came to L.A. with so much confidence, so much promise, and plenty of money. I never anticipated my journey would bring me a messy breakup, depression, and loads of debt. My health suffered, my self-esteem and worth were attacked, and the little approval I received for marrying my journey was no match for the rejection I faced on the road.
I’ll be honest. I had never felt so broke. When you’re forced to work jobs you strongly dislike just to make ends meet, it’s easy to feel defeated, abandon your journey, and internalize the sentiment that you have no purpose.
What was even worse was working jobs that also failed to cover my basic living expenses. Can you imagine leaving the nest and going out into unfamiliar territory, only to be eaten alive by the harsh realities of your new environment? I’m sharing this anecdote because someone needs to read it. Someone reading this is two minutes away from throwing in the towel, and I truly hope this finds you well.
As of August 8, 2016, I have applied to 919 jobs on LinkedIn alone.
This does not include positions I have applied to through other mass cesspools of job boards. I’ve used Indeed, Craigslist, ZipRecruiter, Velvet Jobs, Workable, JobScore, and Monster; you name it, I’ve used it to unsuccessfully secure creative, meaningful work.
To make you feel even better, I am a published writer with a Master’s Degree and a background in media production. Not to mention, I have been blogging since 2009. If I were not married to this journey, and committed to achieving my goals, I would have left L.A. at the six-month mark. I’m just happy to be receiving more rejection letters and getting called for interviews, all while completely ignoring the fact that the only difference between me and the homeless is a few thousand dollars.
L.A. is a very complex, superficial, corrupt, yet beautiful and progressive place. I knew that moving here would be a challenging and unique experience. For that, I exchanged vows with my journey before leaving home, and I made a promise to myself that I would take every setback as a learning experience. When I couldn’t find freelance work quickly enough, I launched this website to keep my writing skills fresh. Now, I have partners and brands reaching out to me. Statistically speaking, a job opportunity will come when my journey decides that I am 100 percent ready.
The same goes for you. Whatever it is you are seeking will come, in due time. Stay committed. Do not falter. You are worthy. Your journey may feel like your greatest adversary, but at the end of the day, it’s simply tough love. Trust it.
Denim & Lipstick 