random things that remind me how much i love new york city
new york or nowhere, as they say
I truly believe New York is the greatest city in the world. I always have, and I probably always will. Lately, though, if I’m honest, I have felt overstimulated, burnt out, and constantly on the go, to a point where sometimes I can’t help but feel like the crowded, loud, and buzzing city does more harm than good.
When I’m feeling this way, though, it never takes long to re-ground myself and remind myself how much I love everything about this city and how it inspires and revitalizes me. It usually only takes a quick trip outside of the walls of my apartment to remember why I fell in love with the city so long ago.
I’ve compiled a list of the most random things that at the end of the day, never fail to remind me how special New York City really is. The list is constantly growing, but some things in particular include:
AMC Lincoln Square
This movie theater is one of my favorite places in the city. Whether you are an avid movie-goer or not, this theater feels like magic (like Nicole Kidman says). The interior of the theater is so unique and classic, and I love the way I feel leaving the theater.
when MTA subway conductors showcase their personalities
The subway can be an equally mundane and interesting place. More often than not, my time on the subway is mindless — simply a routine morning commute or an easy way to get from point A to B. However, every once in awhile, the subway conductor will make jokes or add a little flair of personality into the banal announcements of each station. Every time this happens, it brings such a smile to my face and makes my subway ride better and memorable.
all the random events in the parks
The look-alike contests. The concerts. The parades. The endless picnics and miscellaneous meetups. Last week, my roommate showed me pictures of a medieval sword fighting event she stumbled across in the park, and it really reminded me that this city is full of millions of people with specific, niche interests. You truly never know what you’re going to come across.
the fact that no matter what time of night it is, something is open and somewhere is crowded
Mostly any other place I’ve been to, the bar closes at 11:00 P.M and there’s pretty much nothing else to do. In New York City, you can rent a private karaoke room until 3:30 A.M on a Tuesday night. This fact is truly something I take for granted most times until it is 2:00 AM and I am craving pizza and have a dozen options to choose from. It can almost make the city feel magical, in some ways. The possibilities are endless.
how united the city felt this summer during the NBA Championship
The feeling of pride and unity this past June was unlike any feeling I’ve experienced while living in the city. Everyone you walked past on the street was wearing some sort of Knicks merch and would smile to each other as they passed by. The subway conductors would make comments about how we’re the home of the New York Knicks. How it is New York or nowhere. There definitely was a silent buzzing wherever you went the last few weeks, and it made it easy to remember why this city is so phenomenal.
all the times I have randomly stumbled upon my favorite celebrity
Somehow, there have been a few times I have had good enough luck where I have looked over my shoulder and one of my favorite celebrities was walking next to me. So casual and unbothered, wearing headphones or enjoying a beer. It was just as cool every single time, and I had to remind myself that this doesn’t happen everywhere.
the amount of live music venues
As an avid live music fan, I am always shocked at the amount of cool venues there are hidden throughout the city. Ranging from the tiniest spot in the back of a bar in Queens to Madison Square Garden, there is no better feeling than experiencing a concert in New York City.
the first sunny Saturday of spring
There is truly nothing like the first sunny Saturday in the springtime after a cold and freezing winter. Everyone is out on the streets wearing a combination of coats and sunglasses. The energy is electric and hopeful, and it feels like anything could happen. Because anything could happen. My favorite thing to do on the first sunny Saturday of the year is go to a park without headphones, journal and people watch as the whole city defrosts and comes alive again.
overhearing people’s conversations on the subways
I have already written and confessed how I wish it was more normalized to talk to strangers on the subway. Because of this, I always end up naturally eavesdropping a bit when I have a long commute on the train. I love to overhear strangers connecting over their shared love of a book, a meet-cute happening in real-time, or just 2 people chatting who never would have otherwise crossed paths if they were not on the same D train at the same time. It brings me immense joy to hear strangers connecting.
the contagious energy of people chasing their dreams
Pretty often, I will stumble across a man studying on the train, a girl in a pantsuit running through presentation notes, or a boy passionately sketching in his notebook. Whenever I see these people, it reminds me that New York is full of people working hard to reach their goals and make their dreams a reality. It inspires me every single time, and it makes me want to work hard to reach my goals, too.
As mentioned above, my list of things that remind me how much I love this city is always growing. I’m sure I am missing a ton of things from this list as well, but the bottom line is this — there really is no place like New York.
Until next time!
XO, Daelyn <3
yesss I can't explain how much I appreciate the friends I made here who chase their dreams and inspire me to chase my own
The subway conductor one!! I vividly remember having a conductor who made it his morning radio show once, it was awesome.