(Almost a month since I last wrote in here, that is.)

My Venice, CA chapter is now 1.5 months old. It’s been a good birth. It’s been a tectonic life shift. I haven’t written real full sentences in so long that it feels unnatural. I’m awash in experiences, but my perspective and ability to process and express hasn’t caught up yet.

Venice feels like home 75% of the time. I feel good here overall. I’m a few blocks in one direction from the ocean and 2 blocks in the other direction from Abbot Kinney, the main drag full of trendy shops, California-style fancy restaurants, and a superior level of people-watching.

My routine involves going to the beach almost every morning to meditate and write. My writing these days consists mostly of a few scribbles rather than full complete thoughts. I think my brain is clouded with this disease I call “busyness.” Then I try to go to yoga, the gym, or both. Then I try to do work. I sometimes succeed, and other times, I manage to procrastinate or ruminate.

I’ve met some great people here, but I don’t yet have deep soul-level connections. I don’t feel like I’m adequately feeding my mind. I do feel like I’ve suddenly become social and somehow enlivened. I actually do want to hang out with people. I haven’t wanted to do that in over a year. I think this may be progress, though it will be hard to see this clearly except in retrospect.

I want to put down roots. Venice seems like it could be that place for me. For a place that’s so small geographically, especially the center of Venice where I live, there is a high concentration of commerce, famous people, and significant establishments. On the one hand, it’s a small beach town neighborhood where everyone knows everyone, and on the other hand, it’s a tourist mecca.

My two-month lease in Venice is coming up at the end of the month, and I don’t yet have a home. I’m not worried though. I’m not sure if that’s healthy or not. This itinerant lifestyle is liberating and mostly without worries. Most days, I love the freedom and sense of wellbeing. I revel in the fact that I have a number of options and don’t even know which one will be the real path forward for me. Other days, I feel a bit small in my world and question my ability to make contributions. I wonder if there is anything to tie me down the way I may need grounding.