Check Out to Check Back In

I just came back from almost three weeks in Rio De Janeiro and it was life changing.  I feel refreshed, energized and ready to take on the world.

But let me back up a bit.  I had been feeling what is known as complete burn out — simply put, mental and physical exhaustion for having worked for seven years straight without a real vacation. Three of those years launching a company and once I did that - say good-bye to sleep. I was feeling discouraged by the two strikes (one of them de facto), the recession, and the fact that the number of movies being made are shrinking at an alarming rate.  And I was starting to seriously think that maybe I should go do something else.

Which is when I knew I had to take a break and get out of town. Entertainment is the only thing I have ever wanted to do, and I have been working since I was 16 (when I optioned my first novel).  So if I were having serious thoughts about leaving the business, it was time to take a vacation and clear my head.

And when I got the opportunity to go to Rio, I jumped on it — and immediately got a lot of flak. My business partner wanted to kill me, my parents didn’t understand, and my ex-boyfriend thought I was nuts.  And true it was pilot season and yes we had a client writing on the Oscars that I would be missing the performance for, and yes we had a client who was moving to LA, etc.  But I was leaving the company in my business partner’s safe hands and, as I told everyone, we aren’t curing cancer, surely no one would die (God forbid) if I left.

I went to Rio and had 2 1/2 weeks where I took time for myself, read (for fun!!), and explored a different culture . No cell phones, only checked email every couple of days and really relaxed.

When I came back, really good things started happening. Projects were moving forward, a client got two test offers for pilots, and the list goes on. I don’t know if it is just coincidental timing or the fact that I have been more focused and energized and have been able to think of new, interesting possibilities for my clients (I have my money on the latter).

I’ve now realized that it is easy to get wrapped up in this crazy business — I know I did. We all work so hard, and it often feels like there is never enough hours in the day (you could always read another script, watch a movie, go to a film festival) — that it’s easy to forget that there is a whole world out there to explore.  And that it’s okay to take a vacation and get away. And not only is it okay but it’s imperative for your mental health.  (Ironically enough, I fell so much in love with Rio that I am now trying to find a movie to shoot  there.)

If you are feeling stuck or burned out or uninspired, get out of town and take a vacation. Go somewhere where you can relax and clear your head.  (And yes, even in a recession - it’s a great time to find super-cheap deals!) Even if it’s somewhere nearby for a couple of days, it’s so worth it!

Happy Friday,