Staycation
photography // KIAH MCBRIDE
location // TOPANGA, CALIFORNIA
It started out with one simple thought: I need a vacation.
Which may sound weird considering I live in sunny L.A. I’m less than an hour from beautiful beaches, a drive through the mountains towards Vegas, a couple of hours from a desert oasis, and yet still I felt this need to escape, to go somewhere different.
But despite not having the funds, I knew I that if I didn’t at least get one day where I wasn’t surrounded by the temptation of work and play that I was going to lose it. But despite not having the funds, I knew I that if I didn’t at least get one day where I wasn’t surrounded by the temptation of work and play that I was going to lose it. But despite not having the funds, I knew I that if I didn’t at least get one day where I wasn’t surrounded by the temptation of work and play that I was going to lose it.
But despite not having the funds, I knew I that if I didn’t at least get one day where I wasn’t surrounded by the temptation of work and play that I was going to lose it. But despite not having the funds, I knew I that if I didn’t at least get one day where I wasn’t surrounded by the temptation of work and play that I was going to lose it.But despite not having the funds, I knew I that if I didn’t at least get one day where I wasn’t surrounded by the temptation of work and play that I was going to lose it.
But I could see my bank account flashing red at the thought of me spending another dime on something more extravagant like Hawaii or the Caribbean. My splurges are occasional these days, because when you’re chasing a life filled with purpose, it often comes at the sacrifice of comfortable living, big paychecks, and the certainty that comes from settling—at least at first.
But despite not having the funds, I knew I that if I didn’t at least get one day where I wasn’t surrounded by the temptation of work and play that I was going to lose it.
I needed to be somewhere quiet. I needed to get away from the world. But I needed to do so on a budget, which meant staying close to home.
Remembering the credit that I had accumulated I logged into my Airbnb account and began searching for a spot close by that fit the vibe I was going for—relaxed, peaceful, a beautifully designed fuck-you to the real world that continuously pulled me into its daily shenanigans of the passionless and the pseudo-political. I had a small credit that I had accumulated on my cross-country jaunt to L.A just the year prior, so with a strict budget in mind I began my search, and I found the perfect spot.
It was only 20 minutes away, nestled in the hills of Topanga Canyon. The reviews were raving, the vibe said “come chill out,” and the promise of having my chakras taken care of made me a tad bit curious. Not to mention that my muscles had already started relaxing at the thought of soaking in the deep tub that has become such a luxury after living in a place with no A/C that forced me to leave windows open, allowing a constant layer of dirt to settle around the tub of my own place. So I booked the spot and packed my bags just a week later.
To do a staycation right—if not in your home, you have to make it feel like home. I slipped my favorite candle into to my bag along with bath salts, bubble bath, and a loofah. My slippers couldn’t be left behind, nor could my essential oils.
I arrived at what the owner deemed the “White Rose House” in the early afternoon when the sun was on its descent to the other side of the earth. She wasn’t home at first, but the gate was cracked so I let myself in to the little guest room that was just off of the main house. I silently exclaimed a “hell yeah” as I opened the door to the bright white room—it was just as describe—serene, peaceful, and begging for someone to partake into me-time.
The owner arrived shortly thereafter, offering cookies and informing me that I was open to the backyard and her home at any time. I thanked her and ducked back into my temporary oasis, eager for some time away from people.
I quickly made the spot my home, pulling out my laptop, journal, and book that I would be diving into for the first time in months, because, distractions. When night time came, I ran the bath water, lit my candles, and turned on my Staycation playlist to set the mood.
I relaxed.
I indulged.
I released everything that wasn’t contributing to my progression—doubtful thoughts, draining people, and energies that were keeping me off my path of purpose. Before I left in the morning the owner offered me an Angelic cleanse, it was different, but added to the uniqueness of the experience.
My staycation was brief, but it was just enough to get me back focused. That’s the great thing about getting away, even just for a moment, you realign yourself with what truly matters and disconnect from what doesn’t. You find that peace comes from within, it’s the outside influences that you allow into your life that push you into a chaotic place. Sometimes you just need to dip off for a minute and clear your head in order to get back in the game.
Looking to do a Staycation? I got you. Click here to get $40 off your next Airbnb stay.
I Let Go of My Fear and Moved to L.A.
The last three years have been preparation for this one moment--cruising down I-10 towards LA, car packed, money low but faith high. My ride or die next to me as we move towards fulfilling our individual purposes. It all seems so surreal. This time last year I was working a job that I hated, making excuses as to why I should hang around just a bit longer. The money was good, the benefits on point, the city affordable, but my passion depleted. I've talked about moving to LA for the longest, but the truth is a part of me was scared to take such a huge leap, to move over 2,400 miles away from family, friends, and comfort. To chase the unknown with little more than a dollar and a dream. Repeating my mantra of "God's got me" and really believing that shit. I battled doubts, fears, and insecurities just to get here, and I can honestly say that I'm stronger than I've ever been. I spent the last few months at home letting Him work on me and shedding all of the things that has kept me from prospering. Winning the battle over my mind has been the biggest fight thus far, and one that forced me to strip down naked and bare all of my flaws so that I could see the reflection of my imperfections clearly.
Fix this.
Rid of that.
Build this.
Scrap that.
I looked myself in the mirror and for once didn't turn away from the ugliness I saw. Instead I stared back at it like "what bish?!" And when I finally got real, like really real, I began my path to mental and emotional freedom. And I feel damn good right now.
321 miles.
That's how far away I am from a new beginning and 2,100 miles away from the last chapter that ended. I didn't just leave behind family and friends, I left behind the part of me that had to die in order for me to live. And on this journey I realize that too many of us hold onto dead things that bear no fruit: excuses, poor mentalities, unfulfilling relationships and friendships--all for the sake of fear disguised as comfort. Fear of failure, fear of there being nothing better, fear of having to struggle as if we don't struggle with our own mediocrity everyday. Maybe it's just me, but at some point you get tired of settling for good when you can have best.
And I don't have it all figured out. In fact, Every time I told someone I was making this move I was met with questions of how I was going to make it. And I didn't know what to say that didn't make me sound crazy and like I had no fucking clue. I mean, how do you tell people who prefer to wait for the perfect moment that that moment will never come if you don't start moving towards it? That jumping doesn't guarantee you'll land on your feet, it just means you're no longer stagnant. How can I convey that despite the darkness I can see the light and that's the one thing that keeps me going? I gave a general response and decided that I can't tell people how I'm going to win but I can show them. As much as I like to be in the know, I'm at peace with not knowing. It's a much different feeling than the chaos of trying to figure it all out.
Though I'm not naive to the difficulty of the climb, I'm excited about going to the next level. I’m ready to get back out there, to be challenged, to grow, to stumble—maybe even fall, get back up, and keep pressing onwards towards my destiny. If nothing else, I can at least say that I tried. And that I didn’t allow myself to hold me back.