So it may not be time for the “look back at 2017 and ahead to 2018” type of post but as we edge closer to the beginning of the 12th month and the close of 2017, I thought I would look back at what I had seen, experienced, and accomplished or at least in the last few months. (*Being type-A, “accomplished” tends to be one of my favorite words).
Moving back to California has been a phenomenal change of pace – something that isn’t always guaranteed with a big move. I had acquired a job back in July/August-ish and had an idea of some things I wanted to do when I got back. I wanted to move closer to the west side of LA, I wanted to see what November Project was like out here, and I wanted to join my sister’s running club. As you can see, I still seem to work and workout so some more “fun” might need to be added in.
Los Angeles isn’t entirely new since I grew up near Pasadena but it is entirely different when you are 26 versus 10 or even 18. My job is much better for me in terms of environment and content. I still encounter the daily stresses but it keeps me on my toes and I have a stand-up desk so some days I literally am on my toes. For about 6 ish weeks, I was living at home and that meant driving 80-90 minutes each way day. Traffic – the double edge sword of living in a car congested county like this. Anyways, there was no way I was going to plop down and sit at a computer for even more time to detail out my (what I think is boring to read) day. So then there was the question of if I blog on weekends. Maybe? But over the last few months I’ve been so busy that again, sitting down to take time to blog hasn’t been the first priority.
I started this blog as a way to fill my 2012 summer if I didn’t have an internship but it slowly melded to become my travel journal and a means of keeping in touch while living across the country. I still see it as a creative outlet but as I’ve most definitely mentioned before, I am 100% focused/addicted/interested/obsessed/addicted (yes twice for emphasis) with Instagram. It’s a quick picture/video and a few words and boom, you’ve got widespread media that people from all over will consume.
** some pictures of November Project shot by fellow tribe members (always important to share photo creds)
For those of you who have followed me over the last few years, you’ll know how much November Project means to me. Well, thank goodness for tribes located around the world (44 currently to be exact) because I was able to start showing up to workouts when I touched down in LA. It’s true that I knew a few friendly faces from when I would #justshowup during the holidays but leaders had changed, people had moved away, and it was a pretty new start for me. Somehow I decided to start working out at the 5:27 and 6:27 group to see more faces. As in New York, each workout has a different vibe. Both are amazing but it’s great to see the differences and get to know so many people. This is tough remembering names since 4 workouts means 2x the number of people but thank goodness for Facebook and the ability to just re-ask (at least once or twice).
When you move to a new place, you have the ability to re-invent yourself in a way. You can take the parts of yourself you want to change (not like in a superficial way, but then again this is Los Angeles…) and lean into the person you want to be. No one is forcing you to act like you did in high school or even college. Unless you were a nice person and then don’t ever stop being a nice person.
So re-inventing yourself. For me, I wanted to be that strong and positive person I had grown to become in New York. When I arrived in LA, I thought hm, most of my friends back east called me Kait and there’s already a girl at NP named Katelin and I wouldn’t want to make it confusing for people. So I introduced myself at NP and my running club as Kait. That really threw Meghan for a loop and even confuses a few people when they are on Facebook and see “Kaitlin”. Basically, call me anything and I’ll answer. I have no preference and it just felt really comfortable to be known at November Project as Kait because my best NP_NYC friends called me that.
Now of course I’ve begun to type a novel when I only meant to drop a few lines. Who knows, maybe I’ll check in a bit more frequently in December or 2018 😉
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” ― Sheryl Sandberg
California Endless Summer 
Good work! I am a minnesota forever person, but i would like a little shake up in my routine….i just don’t know what that should be. i joined a new gym that I love, but I need a little more variety.