The windows are ajar, and a gentle evening rain begins to patter outside. Dishes, laundry, and toys clutter every corner of the house. After 14 hours of chaos, the home finally falls silent. Initially, the quiet feels unsettling. I conduct one last check of the beds and cribs, releasing a breath I’ve held all day. Three spirited little redheads are finally at rest. It amazes me to see them asleep, as their endless curiosity about breakfast cereal, bath bubbles, pirates, and everything in between keeps them perpetually engaged. Their dreams must surely be filled with more questions.
Each child already possesses a distinct personality. I reflect on the lessons I impart daily: Use a napkin, wash your hands, brush your teeth, tie your shoes. Although these skills are essential for hygiene and functionality, they hardly prepare them for life’s bigger questions. What I truly want to convey to them is this: Go to New York.
Travel there in your twenties, just like countless others who pack their bags and wonder if they’ll thrive. Embrace your uncertainty; this is what New York City offers you first. Life often exists in shades of gray, and success isn’t guaranteed. You will need to confront this reality: Will you fight or flee? Will you run from uncertainty, or will you remain, even when the outcome is unclear, knowing it will be challenging yet worth it?
Learn to survive on a shoestring budget because, more than likely, you’ll have little money at first, or perhaps for the entire journey. You’ll end up in one of those charming, albeit stuffy, New York walk-ups. Stretch your $40 worth of groceries to last three weeks, and turn five pieces of linguine, a slice of American cheese, and that almost expired Chobani into a meal.
Walk everywhere. Walk end to end, as often as possible. It’s excellent exercise and the best way to develop a sense of direction. New York is a grid; understanding your North, South, East, and West will serve you well.
In your walks, remember how small and insignificant you are. Realize that, more often than not, you are the least important person in the world, and humility is key. Yet, walk tall and feel proud of your independence. Attend parties with influential people and allow yourself to feel like the most significant person in the room.
Treat brunch as the sacred ritual it is in New York; wait two hours for that amazing Strawberry Butter. Find a local diner where you can eat at odd hours. Get to know the owner and share cheese fries on nights when you’re not ready to call it quits.
Karaoke? Don’t hesitate—just do it. Close your eyes and sing your heart out. Start with Neil Diamond.
Embrace the reality of your own limitations, and learn from the brilliant people, libraries, and museums around you. Keep pace with the morning and evening commutes—if you don’t, you’ll be trampled.
Conquer your fears. Go on that blind date, try trapeze lessons, sample Korean BBQ. Do it all. Work tirelessly doing things you never thought possible. Challenge yourself and discover your limits. Become that person who thrives on the thrill of hard work, proving to yourself that you can step up when it counts.
But don’t forget to be lazy sometimes. On those rare, pleasant NYC summer days, lie down in Sheep’s Meadow and feel the enormity of the city around you. Recognize how much it envelops you.
Buy those shoes in the window that you think are not “you.” The friend walking with you assures you they will be. Trust her; she’s right.
Run around the reservoir in Central Park, music blasting just loud enough to drown out the rhythm of your heart. Picture yourself as the protagonist in every major film shot in that very spot. Your city is your stage—play the role of a lifetime.
Secure that remarkable job you’ve worked for, then celebrate wildly on the corner of 36th and Broadway. Remember that, in this moment, you embody both sanity and insanity.
Take three days off and enjoy a staycation in your own city. Ride the Circle Line, visit the Statue of Liberty, and explore the Empire State Building. Be a tourist and appreciate the external allure of your city.
Head to Union Square, watch the street performers, and browse the farmers market. If bookstores still exist, visit The Strand. Grab a mediocre coffee, a bagel, and find a bench to sit on, soaking in the vibrant life around you.
Street fairs? Don’t miss them. Stroll and grab some affordable workout gear—don’t forget the Mozzarepa.
Stand where the towers once stood, offer a prayer to whatever you believe in, and let their absence remind you of your own insignificance.
Ride the subway, observe those around you. Resist the urge to plug in; you might miss a meaningful connection. Engage with strangers, but maintain a healthy wariness; this is New York after all.
Don’t buy the New York Post; it’s trash. But, at just 25 cents, it’s a guilty pleasure you might indulge in, especially since it features Page Six and the Weird but True column.
Stroll the High Line and experience life from above while blending into the skyline. Open yourself to the possibility of love, even if it only begins and ends with the city itself.
Embody the contradictions of the city: be a living, breathing paradox. Learn to embrace the parts of yourself that seem at odds yet fit together to create your unique identity. Love yourself, advocate for yourself, and stand tall. Whether you stay to raise a family or leave after a few months, depart with a piece of the city embedded in your soul.
So, here it is—your life lessons wrapped in one package. Kids, go to New York.
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Summary:
This article provides a heartfelt guide encouraging young adults to embrace the unique experiences of living in New York City. It emphasizes the importance of navigating uncertainty, learning to thrive on a budget, and savoring the multifaceted life the city has to offer, from cultural experiences to personal growth.