Summer is in session and life couldn’t be sweeter!! In the blink of an eye August is upon us, and as I take a moment to reflect on all of the wonderful happenings these past few months, I couldn’t be more grateful for the recent time I’ve spent with my family and friends as I make these exciting new strides in my career.
Working in the Entertainment Industry is truly a 24 hour, 7-day-a-week job, as you’re constantly juggling the chase of new opportunity while perfecting your craft. It’s a non-stop rollercoaster, and although it is completely worth the ride, I have definitely had my moments where I found it nearly impossible to turn off my brain, separate myself and take a break from the hustle and bustle of my career. I am so passionate about Acting and so eager to elevate my talent to the next level, that I find detaching myself even for a day to be such a struggle! To my surprise, though, this summer I have finally found the perfect balance of enjoying some downtime while still being productive! Ha, you know me- no such thing as a full day off from chasing my dreams!
Before leaving for a recent boating trip with my husband Richard, I was uneasy about taking a vacation, as I’m in the midst of preparing for an unbelievable role and have been pouring my whole heart into my character day-in and day-out. Richard reminded me, though, how important it is to take an occasional break to clear your mind and have some laughs, so we did just that!! We had an unforgettable time exploring several beautiful cities along the East Coast between Long Island in Maine, and I couldn’t possibly feel more refreshed and ready to go! Rather than stress about not doing enough toward my career on vacation, I focused my energy on refining my talents, and spent a significant part of each day building new monologues, practicing my diction and completing writing exercises. The staff had to constantly remind me to take a vacation, ha! But after locking myself away in one of the cabins and truly focusing on my art, I was able to better balance my time and still enjoy, experience and explore the world around me, which is so crucial as a Method Actress. It really is essential to take a break from your own reality and immerse yourself in the world and people around you, because that is where you learn to draw deep truth and the ability to fully step into the mind of the character you are playing.
Though I had assumed that stepping away from the office would be stressful, my recent vacation couldn’t have been more refreshing and rejuvenating. It really is necessary for your mind, body and spirit to take a break once in a while in order to continue to propel your career forward. Vacations, time-off and time-spent with loved ones really allows you to refocus, and feel unexpectedly inspired. I am so pleased that I was able to find the balance between productivity and tranquility in these gorgeous summer months, but now I’m back on the grind! Off to Los Angeles!!
Can’t wait to share with you all soon what’s in store!
Xo JamieLee