12
Jun, 2014
The Big Purge in L.A.
In preparation for a move at the end of this month – only a few miles away so no need to freak out – I have been gradually going through piles, closets and drawers of things. A giant purge is taking place and even though it is slow and painstaking, I know how good it will feel to shed some dead weight.
I just completed the mostly horrible task of cleaning out a 4-drawer file cabinet. Self-employment in the entertainment industry (contract after contract = PAPER!!!!) and life in general, really stacked up on me over the years. But I did come across some gems like the original artwork for my old pet care business logo. It’s still so cute! And hand-written journals from 2003-2004. Almost every entry talked about how broke I was and how much I was struggling:
“I told my friend Jennie I didn’t think I could afford to pay my rent this month and that I might have to ask my parents for help and she just GAVE me $200. I don’t know what I did to deserve such great friends but I swear I’m going to be the most generous friend when I have money.”
Things have changed a lot since that journal entry. Two major and dysfunctional relationships started and ended, I had a child and somewhere after that 2nd shitty relationship, I found an independence and peace in my life that was worth the struggle. And even through the hardest of times with no money, becoming a single-mother who often couldn’t afford gasoline or groceries, I still loved this city and knew I was where I was meant to be.
I don’t know if I’ve been such a generous friend, but I try and reading some of those old entries reminded me to appreciate how far I’ve come since my dog walking days. I have been in L.A. for almost 13 years now and I love it more than ever. She is the city that told me to keep going when I didn’t know how, she gave me a career, a home and the best friends possible and I can’t think of a more magical backdrop for the life of my daughter.
Here’s to the next chapter in our lives! I can’t wait for the next adventure and if anyone wants a dented, upright, 4-drawer, metal file cabinet – it’s yours if you can take it out of here.
I need to learn how to stop holding on to crap. I just keep looking for organizational storage ideas and putting like items together instead of throwing out. Enjoy reading your writing. Please blog more often.
Thanks, Kyu. I’ve been trying to blog more, but life keeps getting in the way. I for sure have plenty to write about! Now go on and bring a carload of stuff to your local donation center!! It feels so good! 🙂