New Year, (Maybe) New Me?

Goodbye, 2018! I won’t miss you at all.

Though I will say there were several amazing things that happened last year. I finally left my god-awful job of two years to work much closer to home, started freelancing again after taking a three-year break, and gained a lot of new skills. In September, I traveled to Scotland for the first time ever to be there for my cousin’s wedding. And a month later, I got to welcome my adorable little nephew into this world.

That said, I’m in desperate need of a change. 2018 was not a good year for both my acting or my mental health. A lot of the tools that I need to break back into the acting world require money, and it’s money that really I don’t have. Headshots, lessons, and reels add up fast, and I need my income for other things right now. And while I’m so glad that I no longer rely on antidepressants, I still have a lot of work to do when it comes to my anxiety and overall lack of motivation. The fact that my last job was completely destroying me both physically and mentally only made things that much worse.

I’ve spent the last few months laying down the groundwork for more freelance and personal projects, and I’m already setting them into motion. Some will take more time than others, but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Hell, they’d better be worth it. I’m tired of feeling like I’ve stagnated.

Save More Money

At the moment, considering my current pay-rate, this is almost impossible. I’ve just restarted my job applications, so hopefully I’ll get more income very soon. Nick and I will be moving this year, and we’re both looking to go on trips and save up for our dream careers. On top of that, we both have debts that we really need to pay off. Since moving back to New Rochelle, I’ve already cut down my spending habits drastically. With a higher paycheck, I’ll be able to put a lot more into my savings account.

Work on My Overall Health

This isn’t just better eating habits, a regular workout, and all that stuff that Instagram labels “self-care.” This means seeing a primary care doctor, an eye doctor, and an OBGYN to check up on parts of me that need to be looked after. This means finding a good therapist to work through my anxiety and past upsets so I can really focus on bettering myself. It also means seeing a chiropractor or acupuncturist about this reoccurring pain in my neck and shoulder. And if I could see a dermatologist about this goddamn body acne and thinning hair, that’d be awesome too.

Work Towards Full-Time Freelancing

This one will take constant work. It’ll mean hours of searching through job sites and reaching out to old clients. It’ll also mean more complicated taxes and way more complicated insurance options. But if it also means that I get complete control over my work hours and holidays, and finally getting to do the work that I want, then it’s all worth it. I already have one consistent job that’s been going on steadily for six months, If I can get two or three more just like it within the year, I’ll be all set.

Network with Other Actors/Filmmakers

What I miss most about the acting world is all the people I met along the way. I miss sharing horror stories about gigs and auditions. I miss hanging out and chatting while we’re off camera, or going out to eat after a day of working. I’m hoping to find meet-ups that take place in the city so I can better connect with others in the industry. And now that my project preferences have also changed, I’m hoping these can be especially helpful.

Be Less Wasteful

I already stopped shopping at fast fashion stores two years ago, since I decided that I hated their quality. We only use tubeless toilet paper in my apartment, and now I only rely on reusable bags when grocery shopping. Starting this year, I will no longer be purchasing the following:

• Shaving cream
• Disposable razors
• Pads/tampons
• Plastic soap bottles
• Plastic tumblers
• Plastic toothbrushes
• Ziploc bags
• Loofahs

Gradually, I will be replacing these with more sustainable options, such as a Diva Cup or a Boie USA Body Scrubber. As for the shaving cream, I can easily just use body wash or conditioner.

Support Small Businesses

This is more of a continuing promise to myself. I’ve made it a point to consistently support small businesses for the past few years. Throughout that time I’ve found all of my favorite restaurants, breweries, jewelry and clothing designers, artists, home decor, and body products. Not only will I continue to support all the businesses that I love, but I’ll also be searching for more both online and close to home. I’m even planning on doing a weekly post showcasing all of my favorites.

Will all of these be accomplished in 2019? Only time, and my motivation levels, will tell. But I’m definitely feeling more optimistic right now and already started doing some of the work for some, so that’s a major plus.  Be sure to give me a follow to stay updated, and let me know what you hope to achieve this year.

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