When I sat down to write this blog, a thought, where did THOSE 2 years go? Geeezzzz. All the changes that took place. That made me think of all those popular and at times, overused cliches (guilty!).
The only constant is change. Time doesn’t stand still for change. You must be the change you wish to see in the world (Gandhi). When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves (Viktor Frankl). Get on or get out of the way.
Given my line of work, I am a strong advocate for change, not just for myself, but for others. Despite knowing that change ain’t always easy, in order to get from Point A to Point B, some amount of change is usually required. Sometimes many times over. The mere fact of change is often saddled with a roller coaster of emotions – some good, some more challenging than others. My journey has been my own, just like everyone else.
I have discovered that when you are in the spin cycle of life, until you safely land on your feet (and they actually touch the ground) and life returns to some semblance of normalcy, does the time that has elapsed provide clarity for a deeper understanding of what has transpired. Feeling more comfort in change is also part of that equation. I also have a better understanding that this city beats to its own very fast drummer and with that type of lifestyle comes more stress and pressure to do more, remain competitive, and work harder. Clive Thomas wrote about this very thing in his article, The Ecology of Stress.
But because I am definitely a glass half full person, the stress and pressure is just par for the course. I have learned there is just too much fun to be had in this city to focus all the time on the stress and pressure because it never really goes away. You just learn how to live with it.
So, along my journey, I have made a few of my “own” little discoveries.
1.) Buy a few pair of flats! Keep those heels at the office. Despite having to catch a few trains with my heels (at least I didn’t fall on the ground), I have learned that flats are MUCH better AND you can run faster!
2.) You really don’t know a hot summer day until you have taken the subway when its hot and humid outside. Sans air conditioning on the platforms, consider yourself lucky if your subway has working AC. This is challenging especially when you are packed in like sardines! Bring extra patience…
3.) NYC truly is “the city that never sleeps”. When you live here, you really experience the true meaning behind those words. Just walk the streets. There is always activity going on. Always. What are all these people doing?
4.) Heading out? New to the city? Don’t go anywhere without a good city map. In fact, get two. Download several map and subway applications. They are life savers. Every time. Trust me on this one. Though I am still a work in progress when someone says, “meet me on the SE corner of”..huh?? How about a landmark?
5.) Got a cookie fix but its 3 AM? Ha! No worries! Insomniac Cookies delivers until 3 AM. They are beyond amazing cookies!
6.) There are endless places to visit. And I mean endless. This city is stocked with hundreds of “nooks and crannies” that makes it seem as though you literally will run out of time before you can see it all.
7.) There is no longer a need to make an appointment for a mani/pedi. With a few places on every corner, you never need an appointment. Priceless.
8.) Amidst the noise and “craziness”, there are many places of quiet and solitude.
9.) The unbridled chaos and craziness of this great city is worth embracing. You will never run out of conversation pieces.
10.) You are never more than a few blocks (or feet) from a wine bar and a really great, cold glass of white wine! Now that’s priceless.
11.) Who says that New Yorkers aren’t nice? I have met plenty of them. I like to believe I am one of them now.
12.) I have NEVER missed the traffic or driving since giving up my car almost 2 years ago. Go MTA!!
NYC is an amazing place. It makes me want to work harder so I never have to leave.
