You read that right! I packed up everything and left my East Bay Area space and headed to Los Angeles, CA in the middle of a pandemic and in the middle of the historical BLM protests. At the time, days leading up to my six hour drive, there were protesters blocking freeways and looting buildings around my area and throughout Los Angeles. I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to drive up on the planned date, but it all worked out just fine.
A lot of people asked me why I moved or why did I decide Los Angeles...and it wasn't really something that was just a whim.. this time... In the past, in fact about six years ago now, I did move on a whim to New York City. I sold my car and just left without a place to rent and without any idea of how to look for jobs or places to live other than Craigslist and Airbnb at the time. That was one of the best experiences in my life. I met so many amazing people and I think that is what inspires me today, that there are always opportunities to meet new people and hear new stories, as well as create new stories and new friendships.
So, I bet you are wondering about what it was like to move during a global pandemic, right? Well, to be honest, it felt pretty normal. Because I traveled by car, I did not run into any travel issues. I stopped a few times just to put gas in my car and to enjoy the scenery, to reflect and enjoy the moments, but that was it. Within a short six hour drive, I was in a new city, a new county and I felt this odd sensation of sameness and newness. Like I was floating in the in-between of the past and the future. I think moving during anytime will bring up a lot of self-reflection and emotions, but I also think with the added fact that we are living through a plague, it made the move feel almost more exciting. Like an adrenaline junkie, I felt so ecstatic and energized! The only thing I did notice was that there was not much traffic at all, so that was a plus.
For me, whenever I move, it is a spiritual journey. When I drove away from the Bay Area, I was overwhelmed with a lot of gratitude. It was like things just started to make sense again. I actually drove by the Los Angeles exit on the freeway so many times, in every sh*tty car I owned or used over the past four years telling myself one day I am going to take that exit because I'll be moving. So, to see this and feel this happening, was a moment I will remember forever. I even wore this sparkly purple jacket I got at a thrift shop in 2016, I had sitting in my closet for years with a note saying "wear when moving to LA".
I knew I was moving to Los Angeles the second I landed in the Bay Area, CA in 2016, I just did not know it would be in four years after being laid off four times and the final lay off was due to a global plague and in the middle of a historical BLM civil rights revolution. It was as if the universe was kicking me out of jobs so many times just to be able to gain enough strength to make the move when it was the right time, which happened to be now. When I was laid off again, I wasn't surprised or even really upset. I felt prepared, motivated and ready to make a real change in my life. That is how I knew this move was in divine timing.
So far the move is going well, I do think there is an adjustment period that I am experiencing in terms of getting used to my new surroundings and meeting new people. I find it a bit complicated to join into any social groups just due to the fact that we are still in a plague that has no cure yet, and we are needing to social distance still. I have been connecting and looking to connect to new people and reconnect with old friends. If you are in the LA or San Diego area, please feel free to reach out. I'd love to catch up with you and potentially collaborate in some way : ) And, if you're wondering about moving this year, I say GO FOR IT. If you have prepared financially and are able to, or just feel super inspired to. DO IT : )
with love,
Malia