I'm sitting in my car, legs kicked up on the dash, windows cracked, letting in that sticky-ass Florida humidity. Just another hot day in this state, but I'm not in my apartment anymore—thank fuck for that. After almost five years at Indigo Winter Park in Orlando, I finally got out in May. And now? Well, technically, I'm homeless. Got my shit in storage, and I'm carrying the essentials with me—clothes, personal care stuff, my laptop, and of course, Starlink.
I'm a professional photographer and camera operator, so I'm used to being on the move. Hell, I love it. I get to travel for work, see new places, and meet new people. Sometimes my job rents me a car, sometimes they ship mine—whatever's cheaper. And in between gigs, I crash with friends in different cities. My mom told me I could come back home if I wanted, but truth is, I don't want to. Nothing personal, but I'm not about that staying-in-one-place life anymore.
And so here I am—August 2024, trying to figure out what the hell I'm going to say next. You see, I started this series on Instagram and TikTok called "Season 24". Why? Well, one, because it's 2024, obviously. And two, because I believe every season—like summer, fall, winter—brings new shit into your life. New opportunities, new challenges, new growth. I grew up in a Christian household, and I can't tell you how many times I heard verses like Ecclesiastes 3:1-2. "There's a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." And yeah, I still believe in God, but let's be real, I'll drop a cuss word here and there. Sue me.
So, that's how Season 24 came to be. It's about my life, my journey, and where the fuck I'm headed next. It's me trying to make sense of this chapter as I leave my old apartment behind and hit the road.
Now, let's talk about the people in my life. They're a huge part of my story, and if you're watching this show or reading this book, you'll meet them eventually. But let's start with the basics.
First up is Dricka—my god sister. Ride-or-die type. Been with me through thick and thin. Then there's Nathan, my mom's godson, but I call him my older brother. He's been around forever, and we're tight. Areanna, or A.J., she's a whole other story. We met on a dating app, thought we were gonna be life partners, but she wasn't ready for all that, so we stayed friends. Still talk every other day, like nothing's changed. And then there's Cindy—another dating app connection that turned into a real close friendship.
Now, let's not forget my actual family. My mom, Lace, my grandparents, my cousin Kash—they're the ones who've always been there. I don't fuck with my uncles, though. Trust issues, let's leave it at that. As for my dad? Yeah, he's just a sperm donor. Dude bounced when I was a toddler, and I don't need him in my life now. I've got two sisters from him, but we're not close, and honestly, I don't know his other kids back in his home country. He's a deadbeat, plain and simple.
But anyway, back to me. I'm sitting here, trying to figure out what the fuck I want to write next, dealing with this annoying-ass writer's block. My life's in a weird place, but I know one thing—Season 24 is almost done.
It's summer, and I'm sitting in my car, parked outside a Starbucks, trying to get some decent Wi-Fi for this FaceTime call with my mom. I already know she's going to flip when I tell her my latest life decision, but fuck it—she'll come around eventually. I take a breath and hit dial.
She answers, and I see her face pop up on the screen, standing in the kitchen like always. "Hey, Ma."
"Hey, baby! What's going on?" she says, her voice as warm as ever.
"I've been thinking about something," I say, getting right into it. There's no point in beating around the bush.
"Oh boy," she says, narrowing her eyes at me. "What now?"
"I wanna get an RV."
The silence on the other end is deafening. She just stares at me through the screen, blinking a few times like she didn't hear me right. "A what?"
"An RV," I repeat. "You know, like a motorhome. At first, I was thinking about getting a travel trailer—a pull-behind—but nah. I'm gonna go for a Class A or Class C and tow my car behind me. I'm on the road all the time anyway, so it just makes sense."
She sighs, her hand going to her forehead. "Julien, are you serious right now?"
"Dead serious, Ma."
She's not having it at first. She goes into her whole 'you need stability' speech, saying it's not 'safe' to live in an RV full-time. I get where she's coming from. She's my mom, and I'm her only biological kid, so of course she worries. But I'm 23, about to be 24, and I've got my own life to live.
"I'm gonna be fine," I reassure her, looking straight into the camera. "I know what I'm doing. Plus, you know I've got friends who do this. Anthony and Callie? They've been living the RV life for a minute now, and they love it."
She's still not convinced. "I just don't want you living out of a car or something."
"It's not a car. It's a mobile home, Ma. And I'm towing my car, so I'll have everything I need. You know I've been handling my shit for a while now. Plus, you'll still be able to see me. You'll fly out, right? Use those miles and points you've been stacking."
That gets a laugh out of her. "You know I'll be on the first flight. I just want you to be safe."
"I will be, promise. Besides, you know I've got big plans with Julien Studios. The RV life will let me grow the business, work gigs all over the country, and still be free. You'll see—it'll all work out."
Eventually, she starts coming around. I can see the shift in her face, the way she's softening up. She knows I'm gonna do what I want anyway, but at least she's getting it. This is the start of something big.
A few weeks later, I'm in Texas for a show, working as a camera operator on set. It's hot as hell, but I'm getting through it. After a long day, I finally get a break, and I meet up with Anthony and Callie at this BBQ joint near the venue. They've driven their RV down to see me, and it's good to catch up with them in person.
"So, I finally told my mom about the RV," I say, grabbing a drink. "She wasn't too happy at first, but she's coming around."
Callie grins. "Of course she is. She's just worried. But once you're out there living the RV life, she'll see what we've been saying this whole time."
"Yeah, man," Anthony chimes in. "You're gonna love it. We've been telling you for ages."
"I know," I laugh. "And you guys were right. I just needed to take the leap."
We eat, talk, and catch up. Anthony and Callie are content creators too, but they're not on the same level I'm at with production. They've been doing their thing for a while, but I'm working with them to help expand their horizons. I want them to get bigger, to tap into the same kinds of gigs and opportunities that I have.
"You've got the talent," I tell them. "You just need the connections. Let me help you with that."
We finish the night with drinks, and I can feel it—the shift happening again. I'm on the verge of something big, with the RV life on the horizon and my business growing. It's all coming together.