Change. It’s that dreaded five letter word that can make us run screaming for our bed. It’s something most people avoid as much as possible. And ultimately, it’s the one thing that can allow us to grow. The problem is that it’s much easier to accept before it happens. You can want change, and know it’s coming, but it is only when you’re thrown into the chaos that the reality finally sinks in.
We recently made the leap and moved from Toronto to Halifax, and while both Ryan and I were ready to let go of stress, expensive rent and angry commuters, the things we didn’t want to leave behind were friends, family, Krudar and acting. I’ve spent the years since graduating from theatre school in 2006 working on my craft, running around the city, auditioning and hustling my little heart out trying to make acting my prime source of income. And the last three years have been so exciting for my career, with lots of work resulting in lots of jobs. Letting go of that and stepping into an unknown acting environment in Halifax was scary. When people ask what I do, do I still say actor? Will I be out of commercials forever? What will I do with my time when I’m not at auditions multiple times a day? Luckily my agents are awesome and basically told me to chill. Life would be different, but acting was not gone forever. And fortunately for me, they were right.
I invested in a microphone and monitor setup soon after moving and was able to continue to record voiceover auditions from home. I took an acting class at Neptune to keep those chops chopped and ended up getting an audition for Neptune’s next season. I finally took the leap and started studying for Applied Nutrition focused on Sports & Fitness. I started teaching at three gyms and personal training. I joined a theatre collective that is putting on an immersive experience called Great Harbour (based on Hogtown in Toronto) directed by Sam Rosenthal, Artistic Director of Eastern Front Theatre. I’ve made pretty good friends with my parents in law’s puppy, Angus as I work from home. We bought a car. We’re looking at houses. I got a Costco membership. Until winter hit, I was exploring the hiking trails around Halifax. I’m not stressed on a daily basis. My driving commute is 10 minutes.
Change is ok if you’re not afraid to leap. And even when it’s scary, even when it seems like life is about to stop, just remember that things are what you make it. The adventure comes in the not knowing and the discovery of who you have the potential to be. You just have to let it happen. You just have to breathe, and jump.