Keep your eyes open for signs of hope- a rainbow over the Grove.
Research suggests that in their first two years in Los Angeles, zero newcomers are emotionally stable, or even remotely happy. All newbies report a feeling that they are entirely lost, an inability to distinguish their asses from their heads, and an ineptitude for figuring it the f**k out. This condition results, across the board, in nightly sob-fests into their pillows.
90%* of new Los Angelinos are pressured by family to return home and do something more practical. 87%* undergo chronic emotional pain and emptiness. 78%* cannot find a job they like, or afford to pay their bills. 36.7%* experience no positive affirmation whatsoever for their artistic skill-set, while 100% suffer cyclical spells of self-doubt.
In conclusion, Little Girl Lost is just one voice out of thousands of suffering LA artists.
Dismal? Yes.
But roll down your sleeve and drop the razor- there may be a silver lining.
Evidence has been found that a small percentage of people in LA are able to create community, achieve tangible goals, and even smile occasionally. Newcomers to Los Angeles are encouraged to ask around and find out what these successful people are doing. Then, they should slowly implement positive actions toward Los Angeles living success.
Most importantly, do not be alone. Get a crappy job, take a class, join a frisbee team, volunteer for an animal shelter. Whatever you do, please remember to limit the number of times you people-watch at the Grove aching with longing at strangers to no more than twice a month.
Remember, folks:
- Anyone can eat an elephant one bite at a time.
- This is normal.
- It gets better.
*Statistics are total fabrications.
You can read more from Melanie Zoey on her blog.
I moved to LA in June 2011 (seven months ago) and I love it! I found an awesome job, a great (be it too small and too expensive) apartment, and have a great group of friends! I do have to agree though, that it can be tough. For the first three months I lived here, I lived with a roommate I found on Craigslist, nowhere near my friends, and spent my time applying to a million jobs a day. It is hard being away from my family and old friends (they’re in Florida) but I have been extremely lucky that everything has worked out, and I couldn’t be happier! It takes hard work, but it definitely does get better!
Awww as the rare native to Los Angeles I tend to dislike all the random transplants we get. But this article actually made me feel sad for them. You just need to find a way to make the city yours, it can be a thousand things to a thousand different people. Once you figure it out, you’ll be hooked. Hang in there
Just thought I’d counter this post with my own experience: I moved to LA exactly four months ago, and I have never been happier in my life. Never ever ever once, not a single time, have I wondered why I am here or if I should move back (to the midwest). I have dreamed of living in SoCal since high school and moving here has not only met, but has totally exceeded my expectations for how awesome this place is. There is an energy here that I haven’t experienced anywhere else; people don’t come here to settle, they come here to live out their dreams, and while that can bring frustration and uncertainty, you can easily ward those emotions off by going to the beach, going for a hike, driving north on the PCH, watching the sunset, going out to eat, exploring Hollywood, driving around in the hills, reading on a blanket in a park in January because you CAN, and on and on and on. Basically what I’m trying to say is that not every newcomer feels that way, and any newcomer who does should try one or more of those activities I mentioned above, and remember that even when you feel lost, you’re still living in Los Angeles, and that fact alone is pretty fantastic =]
This is absolutely my life right now.
Sooo…DON’T move to LA? lol
I got a divorce, have 2 kids and NEVER left the east coast. i made my 2012 resolution to do something fun for myself, no one else but ME!! so with my income tax money I am flying only for the 3rd time and going to LA. no plan, direction, or aspirations. Just going. Look out LA july is just around the corner!!!!
My dream is to live in Los Angeles. This post made me doubt for a second. But then I remembered it was a dream I can still dream about it and imagine it being awesome