Is it Time To Run a New Experiment?

Plus, the private chefs in the Hamptons taking over my brain space. Pa Que Sepas

Last week, I attended a 10am brand-sponsored Pilates class. A phrase you hear in Los Angeles just as frequently as “Hailey Bieber smoothie” and “the line at Community Goods.”

What that essentially means is that a brand will invite a curated list of guests (industry people, content creators, journalists, etc.) to attend a free class where you will most likely also leave toting a *very heavy* gift bag filled with goodies.

The typical understanding: you’re there to schmooze and build a relationship with the brand. Plus, you’ll probably post about the event (publicity for the brand) and if you already weren’t getting paid to post/attend, this could lead to paid partnership opportunities down the road. It’s a long game, and this is part of it.

After being invited to something like this, one of two things would subsequently happen—either I’d politely decline, wishing I “could” go, or I’d begrudgingly attend, cursing that this was “taking me away from real work.” The latter is annoying the former is straight up counter-intuitive. Here’s why.

(Note: I’m laughing at how absurd and “woe is me” this entire situation is…)

My business, like so many others, is a people business. LA is a “who do you know?” type of town, whether you like it or not. There’s only so many names I can add to my rolodex by scheduling Zoom introduction calls. The fact is, I unfortunately need to go outside.

Plus, a free workout class? In this economy? Call me crazy, but I’m super fucking down.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to plenty of horrid “influencer events” where literally no one talks to each other. That said, it’s all about sharpening your picker on which events are actually worth attending. And, listen, at the end of the day, I’m grateful for anyone who brings my name up in a room I didn’t even know existed.

Aside from the networking of it all, a huge goal for me this year has been to carve out time during my days where I’m technically “working” but not glued to my computer. Whether that’s days on set filming Irregardless, IRL meetings with my manager (yes, a bitch has representation nowwww), shooting ads for brand sponsors, or attending aligned events. Hence, the pilates class. This, btw, was the point of why I wanted to write today’s newsletter—to talk about the small things I can do that will help shift my reality.

If I’m working towards a goal and nothing is changing, somethings gotta give. Even if that something is teeny tiny. You have to run a new experiment. Attending that class, choosing to disrupt my normal work day routine, that was a new experiment. I know it can feel like a silly example, but it remains true.

Not everything is born out of major shifts. Sometimes the biggest changes come from the smallest of adjustments. Going to a new coffee shop and striking up a conversation with someone in line, taking yourself on a solo date to a wine bar with a book after a long work day, raising your hand and asking a thoughtful question at a panel and leaving with a first date (remind me to tell you this ridiculous true story)—each and every time I’ve moved, even slightly out of my comfort zone, life has opened up for me in ways I couldn’t even imagine.

So even if you can’t put your finger on exactly what it is that you want to change but you feel stagnant or uninspired, take a different route to work, switch up the order in which you run your days, check out a new part of your city, just do something, anything new. You never know what will be the thing to shake up static energy.

And shoutout to the Irregardless viewer, Gidelvia, who was running the event. Meeting you guys in the wild is well, wild. Also, you’re all super fucking cool.

Not a moment goes by where I’m not thankful for each and every person that takes valuable time out of their day to interact with something I’ve created. Infinite thanks to you all.

Unclear how this went from me justifying a Pilates class to me being really sentimental and gross, but here we are.

Gente I think you should know about

My doom-scrolling has led me down a very niche path: private chefs in the Hamptons.

You heard me. I wanna watch hours of these talented fuckers cook gorgeous meals for bitches who probably think an almond is a carb.

Image courtesy of Pinterest

Most recently, I discovered Chef Reilly Meehan—a Phoenix-based chef traveling with his clients and setting up in Southampton for the summer. I hope you, like I, fall down a deep, deep hole of fresh corn and crunchy greens.

@chefreillymeehanEverything I Cooked For My Clients in The Hamptons! Another episode drop for you cuties #cookingasmr #privatechef #hamptons #summer #summervibes #tipsandtricks #chefsoftiktok #cookingvideos

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