My life took a total 180 when I ventured off on my first solo trip to Europe. If you don’t know who I am or where I was before I became a creative, entrepreneurial-gypsy, I moved to New York at 18 to be an actress. And not just an actress: a musical theatre-lovin’, tap dancin’, and song-and-dance actress. But a 10 week backpacking trip to Europe changed my entire life path.

Before I discovered solo travel, my life and dreams revolved around New York and the entertainment industry.

I wasn’t aware that cities existed where artists didn’t worry about auditions, callbacks, classes and struggling just to make ends meet. I had never been in a place where people didn’t know what “Broadway” was or who weren’t desperately chasing after success. And it refreshing.

It was enlightening to be in foreign cities where people’s lifestyles and identities were different, where success and rank weren’t important.

It was refreshing to be in a place where people didn’t know me. The constant judgment that comes from a full-time job of auditioning and singing for super (I literally sang for my supper as a singing waitress at a diner in Times Square) was put on silent.

The Need for Importance and Success Quieted

Living in New York City for the past four years has made me tired, to say the least. Tired from the constant struggle, the need to perform, the need for connection, the need for extra cash, the constant need, need, need.

After four years of hustling, rushing, and bouncing around trying to make ends meet and put on a pretty face at auditions (the jewel-toned dresses, the makeup, where every single girl looks exactly the same…), I realized something that quietly tugged at my heartstrings for so long, but I was too afraid to acknowledge and let go of my “identity.” My values had changed. 

The Life of an Actor Wasn’t my Heart’s Calling 

 

 

I wasn’t sure what it was that I wanted to do with my life. I had no other skills.  Since my early days as a child performer, I acquired no other training, aside from acting, music and dance. But I knew, deep down in my gut, that I had to pursue something with photography.

 

I took a leap of faith, I followed courage, and I walked away from something that no longer truly lit me up.