My Golden Birthday Revelation

Categories

Today is my 25th birthday. A time for some reflection, perhaps?

Let's see. 6 months ago I left my apartment in New York, my waitressing job, took a hiatus from my sketch comedy group and boarded a plane to Los Angeles.

I moved back in with my parents. The transformation that has happened in half a year is beyond what I ever thought could happen.

First, can I give myself a pat on the back? I'm single without any kids. I have no day job, no set schedule, and report to no one but myself. I have been able to support myself as an actress and singer for the last 4 months.

I think I can give myself a pat on the back, right?

My 24th year of life was a challenging one. Several breakups, roommate drama, and health issues left me constantly stressed and anxious. A biopsy to determine if I had thyroid cancer left me shaken.

My career focus had dwindled because of it. The few auditions I went on were big (In Living Color, several MTV shows) but I was not actively pursuing it.

I was more concerned with dating, swapping shifts at work, and paying off health bills than waking up at 6 AM to go on an open call for a Broadway musical.

Well, being in Los Angeles has afforded be the time and energy to focus on nothing but me. No distractions. No boys. No roommates. I've learned how to be my own agent, manager, and publicist because of it.

Essentially, I am operating as a business! And what a crazy ride it's been!

I tell you, being able to perform at iconic establishments (the House of Blues), acting in music videos for singers you admire (Kimbra), and receiving thank you emails from viral bloggers asking you if you'd like to work together in the future (Franchesca Ramsey, Shit White Girls Say to Black Girls) has been MIND BLOWING.

It's kind of cool when you declare what you want to do, set out to do it, and then actually do it. There's so much more to be done, but I know it's do-able!

To 25 more years of life, and more!

-- Dominique

Photo by Deborah Wald

More |

Comments

Congratulations on a landmark birthday, and for what seems to be a landmark year ahead of you! Sending you lots of love from New York!

Posted by: Kim | June 25, 2012 at 11:41 PM

My name is Whitley and i was wondering if you use to work at JANE restaurant off of W Houston?... If so, Brittany and other ppl. kept telling me how amazing you are!!!... amazing.... congrats on the 25th golden year.

Posted by: Whitley Polk | June 26, 2012 at 10:28 AM