Pointless is Necessary

In an unpredictable career field, I have learned to create routine for myself when there isn’t one handed to me by a boss (manager, overlord) each week. It often leads me to feeling that if I don’t stick to that routine, I have wasted the gift of free-time a freelancer is given. I became trapped in a paradox of always having free-time and never using it freely.

The concept of relaxation was shameful. Even in my scheduled periods of down-time, I felt I didn’t deserve it. Slowly but surely, I am allowing myself to take breaks and not feel guilty for them. I’ve even discovered that breaks are helpful. Turns out when you fully relax, you have more focus to crush the next item on your to-do list. (Who would’ve guessed.) Doing pointless activities (so my brain labeled them), makes headspace for new things.

This past month I booked my first film in NYC!!! Only traveling 15min to set and back? Amazing! Is this what it’s like to work in the same state you live in? The short film was a collaboration between cinematographer and social activist Barry Pousman, and professor of social sciences at Columbia, Rob Eschmann. Filmed with a 360 cam, a VR headset will put the audience in the shoes of three different characters, with six different endings. The script is meant to inspire discussions about microagressions. Yes…I played the antagonist.

The next week, I signed with my first theatrical agent!!! WSM will represent me across the board in New England and NYC. Fingers crossed this opens many more doors!

In terms of personal goals, I finally climbed the first of many peaks along the Hudson River I hope to conquer. Hiking season is upon us. Up north the leaves are orange. The humidity is breaking and my boots are aching to be worn. (See the post-hike photo of me sipping iced coffee after a long climb up Break Neck Ridge)

Beacon: one of those cute artsy towns with an adorable main street and murals everywhere; conveniently located at the bottom of the ridge line.

This weekend I’m camping on the west side of the river for my friend Naomi’s wedding! What better way to start the fall season than sitting around a campfire in the woods with dear friends and family? Don’t think for a second I didn’t squeeze in one final audition before my short trip. I said I’m learning to take breaks. So the break begins tomorrow.