Five Things I've Learned Five Years in New York City

1. Go after it. Whatever your it is, go for it. I am, to a fault, goal-oriented. I thrive in having lofty ambitions. I also recognize that over the course of five years goals and ambitions change, because we change. We prioritize, and then we must reprioritize. My advice: go after something that scares you. So far, over the course of my five years in NYC, I've left a great job to take a chance on another professional endeavour. I broke up with a good man, learned how to be comfortably alone, and then, was lucky enough to fall into a new love that has been full of great adventures. I moved into an apartment solo, and then moved back in with a roommate after discovering living alone is not all it's cracked up to be. I took chances. I grew. I learned and I pushed myself. I crossed the finish line of the New York City marathon, a feat I had more than once told myself was impossible. I've spoken up and asked for exactly what I wanted. I've traveled to amazing destinations I had previously only dreamed about. And, regardless of what happens along the way, it wasn't the accomplishment of the actual goals that made me better, helped me grow, or were even the most memorable, it was the journey to get there. It was waking up every day and working, making small steps and achieving small wins, all towards a larger ambition. It was the collaboration and the problem solving that made each accomplishment memorable. In five years I've learned to just go after it. My advice to other 20-somethings looking to make it in NYC: find out what's important to you, make it a priority, and then start working towards it. I am proud to have followed my dreams. I am grateful for every lesson—the grueling and the glamorous—my time in New York City has taught me. Go after it, because you'll either find a way or you'll settle on an excuse. Don't choose the latter. 
2. Commit to growth and embrace the hustle. I moved to New York City five years ago with a job secured. In this, I was incredibly fortunate. Not only did I have a job, my first job out of school was at a company that I am happy to say was the best place for me to start my career. I had a great job. I worked with great people, many of whom are still my close friends. But at one point I came to realize I no longer felt inspired. At a time in my career when I was hungry for growth, I wasn't finding it. In that, I've learned this: invest your time in companies, projects, and people who inspire you. Surround yourself with people who motivate you. Get a little competitive. Find a team that has a seat for you at their table. Our time is too precious to be working on projects that don't leave us fulfilled and don't get us excited to go to work. We work too hard to have our ideas and contributions go nowhere. Commit to your professional growth, embrace the hustle that guides you through your journey, and you'll accomplish great things. 
3. Find your tribe. In a city of more than 8.5 million it can, and will, feel lonely if you don't have people. Find your people and hold on tightly. Foster the relationships you cultivate. There is no shortage of good folk in New York City; people who will invite you into their homes and take you in on holidays, friends who will have your back, go on adventures with you and explore new nooks in the city. Find your tribe and invest in building meaningful relationships. Some will last years, other may be more fleeting. They're all important. My friends and family are the ones I am most grateful for at the end of each and every day. My communities are the backbone to my emotional wellbeing. I've found no matter where you go, if you're open, you'll find your people and they will make all the difference.
4. Embrace your sense of adventure. Whatever adventure means to you—travel, food, events, personal style, etcetera—spend time exploring and embracing it. There's no shortage of opportunities to embrace your wild side in the city. You can find nearly any cuisine in the world in New York. You can score tickets to broadway shows, or catch a live performance in the subway station. You can craft a new personal style. You can travel to other countries, and other neighborhoods, all within the five boroughs. In NYC you must embrace your sense of adventure and go outside your comfort zone. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. 
5. Uncover your own oasis. Part of embracing the hustle and cultivating healthy relationships is finding time and space to unwind and refocus. We all need our own oasis. I've spent years creating a home that is my sanctuary. My bedroom is my escape, a place where I can find peace. Other places I find peace: lying in sheep's meadow in Central Park on a sunny day, swinging in a hammock on Governors Island with nothing but a good book in hand, biking under FDR drive in lower Manhattan, running along the Long Island City waterfront. Find a space to clear your mind. In a city that's always in motion, it's important to find space to be mindful and provide selfcare. Part of mastering life in NYC is mastering the art of being comfortably alone. 

I am proud to call New York home. This city has changed and awoken me. It fuels my creative side, it tests my patience, and it invigorates my curiosity. Cheers to five years, NYC! Oh, and one last word to the wise women in this magnificent city, can stop with the stilettos? Admit it, we'd all be much happier to prance through the city streets in our allbirds.

xoxo