Los Angeles is often perceived as a city where people chase dreams, but its true strength may lie in its acceptance of those who choose to let them go. While other places might view a shift in direction as a consequence of failure, Los Angeles sees it as reinvention, fostering an environment where life's surprises are welcomed.
Growing up in the Midwest, the author was taught that successful people adhere to strict life plans, often spanning five or ten years. This perspective contrasts sharply with the Los Angeles mindset, which the author began to observe after moving there nine years ago. In LA, reinvention is not just accepted but is an ordinary, almost inevitable, feature of life.
This outlook was highlighted when the author's gym, run by a performance coach who was also a DJ, closed. The coach explained that he was simply tired of running the business and at 40, decided to pursue DJing. This contrasts with the author's Midwestern upbringing, where such a decision might be viewed as a failure, akin to her brother remaining at the same company since college or her sister staying in the same industry for years.
In contrast to the Midwest, where people might feel compelled to stay in a career they dislike due to societal expectations or the harsh climate, Los Angeles offers a different ethos. The author reflects that if her gym owner had lived in Illinois, he might have continued in a job he no longer enjoyed, feeling trapped by the idea that quitting equates to failure. While commitment and perseverance are valued, they can sometimes mask a reluctance to change, which can become a vice.
The entertainment industry, with its celebrated second acts for stars, has amplified this spirit of reinvention, influencing the broader culture. However, the author acknowledges that reinvention is not always a practical option for everyone due to financial responsibilities. Still, she suggests that living on the edge of the continent, symbolized by Los Angeles, fosters a unique sense of possibility and a perpetual feeling that life is just beginning.
Historically, Los Angeles has attracted individuals seeking second chances. From Gold Rush prospectors to speculators and debtors, the city offered a place where reputations could be shed and identities remade. This historical tendency has evolved into a modern cultural acceptance of reinvention, suggesting that sometimes, spending decades in the same pursuit might be seen as a failure of imagination rather than a mark of dedication.
The author's personal experience of leaving a teaching career after three years, despite the disapproval from those outside Los Angeles, was validated by the city's atmosphere of possibility. The palm trees and hazy mountains offered comfort and a sense of a new beginning, a feeling she attributes, in part, to the city itself.
While the pleasant weather may contribute to a craving for novelty, the author believes the deep-seated history of Los Angeles as a place for reinvention plays a more significant role. It is a city that embraces change, offering a unique perspective on career paths and life choices.