#NerdsUnite: The Ramblings of a Raconteuse (A Final Update)
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Helenna. We met on twitter not too long ao, and she's totes mcgotes one rad chiquita banana with a flare for all things flair! That's right, Helenna here is what we call an artsy fartsy nerd. She's a poet, into all things dramatic arts, and she's going to come on board to write each week about her love of said drama. Well not like actual drama drama, like some cat fight shit - but you get the idea. I only have one thing left to say ... HIT IT HELENNA!!! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @Helslevy
Happy Holidays everyone! It’s been a long time since I did a blog update, so I thought what better than to do a final “Project Helenna” update as 2012 comes to a close.
It’s now been 244 days since I started “Project Helenna” and I’ve had a lot of triumphs and a number of challenges as well, but I can honestly say that it’s been a success. (As usual, for reference on what this project is: Part One, Part Two, recap one “Feelin’ Sexy”, recap two “I Am Stoked!”), and my last update “Surviving The Cut.”
As I stated in my last update:
“When I started this project it was all about turning my focus from producing my own work, back to the craft of acting, and to create a “holistically healthy Helenna: mentally, physically, and spiritually, to create the best actor I can be and my best self.”
So going point by point again….how did I do?
1) Optimum Health and Fitness
Well, thanks to the “My Fitness Pal” app, I lost 8 pounds. While losing weight wasn’t necessarily my number one focus, it was a great added bonus to eating within my proper caloric daily amount and working out. My clothes fit better, and I had to give a lot away to GoodWill because they don’t fit at all anymore. I look better on camera and I also feel fantastic.
While my workouts have definitely suffered this past month with the holiday season, I have a good basis for what I’ll be working on in 2013 to get more toned and fit and in that “sexy super heroine” condition that I want to be in.
Another big thing for me is that I cut out caffeine and alcohol. It is pretty cray-cray that I haven’t had caffeine in over 5 months now and the most alcohol I’ve drank is equivalent to a single glass of wine in all that time, but I have to say that it feels amazing. I like not having to be dependent on a substance in order to wake up in the morning, and booze was making me feel well…not present. So overall, a big 2 thumbs up on this lifestyle change.
2) Sharpen My Craft
Well, I didn’t take class this past year, and I didn’t do so well with the whole “observing people out in the world – character study thing,” but I did do a great job of honing in to my “type” even more. Even saying that is kind of nauseating to me because actors hear that and talk about it all of the time, but it’s so important as a “business owner,” which is what every actor is.
I was recently waiting in the lobby before a Casting Director workshop and was watching all of the people walk into the building. I felt an instant connection with the people whose “type” I could pinpoint, and felt sort of confused by those that I couldn’t. Yes, we are all multifaceted people who are not just “one thing” or two or three, but there is something powerful that happens when you feel a familiarity with someone just by looking at them or seeing their mannerisms.
I was thinking a lot about how it helps casting directors, producers, directors etc… when you are easily “box-able” and even just since I cut bangs, the box, or boxes, that I can be put in have become much more clear. Funny how hair can do that
3) Balance the Mind
I definitely didn’t do my affirmations on as regular enough basis. I was really diligent for a few weeks and would forget and then restart. I also didn’t meditate at all really. Affirmations and meditation are something that I need to focus on in a very real way in 2013.
I did however go to my career coach Barbara Deutsch’s year end workshop called “Complete and Create” and this helped immensely to close off 2012 and jump into 2013 with a fresh start.
4. For Now, Working Only As An Actor
For the most part I stayed true to this and had the privilege of working on a lot of great projects. By freeing myself of other responsibilities it also helped me prioritize what I really want for my career and my life. It’s helped some great doors open for me in 2013, and has shown me that my skills as a producer and a “connector” need to be used only on things that I have a strong connection to so that the work feeds me instead of draining me. Realizing this has been incredibly important for me, and I’ve already lined up some awesome stuff for the coming year.
5. Know What Works For Me
Yup, this has been fantastic. I was able to clear my head of all of the fog that can often come from the noise of the entertainment industry in LA and get super clear with what I want to achieve in 2013. This is going to be the best year yet!
#xoxo hels
tweet me at: @helslevy
browse me at: helennasantoslevy.com
email me at: contacthelenna@gmail.com