To The New Girl In The City

To the new girl in the city: everyone here has at one time been in your shoes. It’s scary and overwhelming, there is no denying that. But it is the start to what can be one of the greatest adventures in your life if you open up and let the city in.

The first night is as hard as everyone tells you it will be. Whether you are in an apartment, a dorm, renting a room, or bumming on a sofa. Take a deep breath; cause you’re in the city babe, and confidence is what will carry you through these streets. But be careful to not mix your ego and your confidence. You don’t own the streets yet, but keep your head up, and walk with poise, or the streets will own you.

This first week take it all in, whether you feel a culture shock immediately or are numb, it’s different for all of us. Take advantage of the fact you are in the concrete jungle. Every street you walk on from now on holds different opportunities, ones you hadn’t even considered before getting here. It doesn’t matter where you are, from Harlem, to Soho, Brooklyn to InnWood, each holds a growing experience or a memory for you. So don’t be afraid to venture through this amazing place that you can now call your home.

When things feel lonely, and trust me they will, go on a walk! If it just hasn’t been your week, and you feel like curling up and crying, hold on for a minute. Go hop on a subway to a new place, or go sit on a corner you have become familiar with. As you sit there look around, instead of having the mind set of a thousand new faces surrounding you and not knowing anyone, try to look at it this way: a thousand faces around me sat in my shoes at some point, and look at them now, walking around content with being on there own or sitting in a group laughing, even some gazing into the eyes of their lover. You will be there one day; we all get lonely, embrace it. We are lucky enough to know what good company is and miss it. Loneliness is a sole reminder that we know what it’s like to be around the ones that we love.

Give it til the third week until you commit to running back to your comfort town. The first three weeks in this city will change you more then you processed being possible. You will have an abundance of emotions and thoughts on your plate. More than you may like, but they are shaping you into something beautiful.

Whether this be temporary or permanent, don’t let any opportunity slip away from you, because you never know when it will appear again. This city is a place for people that want opportunity. With opportunity comes hard work. So fasten up and give everything your all. You are in one of the few places in the world where you can express yourself in any form.

When you see that couple, business women, man in a suit strutting the street; you begin to see that people have their lives together and you’re just trying to decide what Avenue you have wondered to, don’t be intimidated. The city is filled with people that appear to have it all together, but the truth: some do, some have worked hard and established life, but most are faking it. The city is based on your confidence. So instead of being intimated and heading the opposite direction, be inspired to have it all together the way that the people you pass do.

So new girl, the city welcomes you. Let this be your new playground. Run and jump through every coordinate. Throw on some headphones and get lost out there. The first time you explore a new street, city, shop or restaurant, you will feel more and more like your place in the world is coming up to speed with you. You only get one shot to discover a new place and make your mark. Let your adventure begin today. And always remember when you see someone sitting at a table ready to have a break down or looking lonely to give them a smile. You can now say that you have been in the shoes of the new girl in the city trying to find her place. Best wishes in the city of opportunity!