Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Dance like it's the roaring 20's

I love TED talks.

Usually when I watch them I feel inspired, moved and also mildly inadequate.
Recently I watched one which left me feeling inspired, moved and really proud of myself.

A few weeks ago I had a birthday. I turned 25. Normally on my Birthdays there's a slight sense of panic and 'what am I doing with my life!' This year actually passed by quietly, without that. I actually feel solid with what I'm doing with my life and where it's going. In the past I was always stressed I hadn't accomplished enough! But now I see things a little differently.

In this Ted talk Meg Jay talks about how 30 is not the new 20. How being a 20-something is actually a sweet spot to get things moving in your life, not just a time to grow up while putting off adulthood. Finally somebody agrees with me!

Constantly people ask me why I do so much, work so many jobs, have so many projects on the go. People ask me why I got engaged so quickly. Why I don't relax, take it easy? What's the rush? they say.

There is no rush, I just like living my life.
I have high expectations for me and my life and I want to start working on them now, well I want to start working on them yesterday, but patience it's my strong suit. I've always been extremely persistent, driven, and I often over-extend myself. But I like that, I function well with my to do list full. (Many thanks goes out to Omnifocus, the magical app that keeps my life together!)

The only thing with me is that I'm not very good at owning it. At talking about my wins, achievements, and success. With some reading, journaling, coaching, therapy, and talks with my fiancé, I've come to determine this is because of my deep rooted fear of failure. I don't want to admit my successes - because I'll also have to admit my failure, and then it viscerally and literally feels like the world will end!

So in the blog post I'm admitting some wins, in hopes of overcoming my fears, and to inspire others. To not slide through your twenties, or any decade for that matter. Get passionate about something and make it happen!

Here goes: I've recently completed my second short film this year, and submitted it to it's first film festival in LA. I got my first 'Director' credit on IMDB for the other film I made this year. I'm looking into distribution options for both right now. When I Saw You is currently at the Cannes Short Film Corner. I just got cast in play which will be going up in October. I got put on hold for a major commercial and even though I didn't get it, I did get a very supportive email from my agent, which feels like a win. I'm currently working on two-three writing projects. (that varies depending on the week.) Tonight I'm back in acting class at The Foundry, doing Shakespeare, my favourite! And tomorrow I'm planning a special event to inspire other women to do any of the above, if it moves them.

The statistic of female roles in front of and behind the camera are dropping. And I want to do something about that. I believe women have stories to tell, and ways to connect and change the world!
Tomorrow night I'm organizing an networking event: The Female Voice in the Film Industry, with a panel discussion.
A great panel has come together and I'm so excited to talk with them on the topic of women's roles and the voice we have or could have.

If you live in Vancouver and want to experience this, and connect with other women, please come check out the event!
There are limited tickets, and a capacity at the venue, so I'm encouraging people to buy their tickets in advance.
If you're interested, here's the link with all the details:
http://thefemalevoiceinfilmnetworkingevent.brownpapertickets.com/

If you are in your 20's and don't feel so driven, that's ok too. This blog is in no part a judgement. But watch the TED talk. And please believe me when I say that every little step, each day, is what actually moves you forward, not aging.

Enjoy being a 20's something. - And might I add that with The Great Gatsby in theatres, every 20's is cool again!

This is a little inspiration for me. To remember that failing, falling, and making mistakes is part of it all:

 "Even the knowledge of my own fallibility cannot keep me from making mistakes. Only when I fall do I get up again."  - Vincent Van Gogh

Have a wonderful week!

xox
Jane