Isolation in NYC, let’s talk about it.
I moved to NYC when I was 18 years old from a small town called Bel Air, Maryland. I thought to myself, How can I survive alone living in the biggest city in the world without knowing anyone? The excitement and adrenaline of college was keeping me afloat, but that wouldn't last forever, and I soon had to determine ways how to cope with being so small in such a big city.
New York is full of opportunities, and it’s easy to let that intimidate you, especially when seeing everyone on-the-go 24/7. I am here to tell you you're not alone, and there are so many fun ways of getting yourself out there and letting the simplicity of isolation escape you. Here, I’ve created a list of some of my favorite activities to get me out of the house, which in return helped me feel a bit less alone and more connected to myself and my new city.
Go for a walk in Central Park
A walk in the park is not only good for the soul, but also a way to get some extra exercise in. NYC isn’t necessarily known for its “nature”—although it can be! When finding the right spots, you learn there is so much more to this city than its crazily paced environment and unusually tall buildings. Listen, I know that with the stress of life and school, going for a walk might sound exhausting, but walking has become an outlet for me to give myself a break, explore nature and get away from my stress even for 10-minutes. Being in a city alone is isolating but stepping into nature and learning how much life is around you is a beautiful way to feel present.
Discover your favorite bagel
The power of a bagel. Yes, the power of a bagel. I’d never be able to count how many bagels I have consumed in the city, and it has easily become the highlight of my week. I just recently filmed a YouTube video showcasing my favorite spots in the city and ranked them on how much I enjoyed it. Combining my love for food while also discovering a new spot has become my favorite way to get out of my apartment.
Apollo Bagel, located in the East Village, is my all-time favorite bagel spot.
Go to your favorite café
Whenever I am asked, “What do you do for fun?” 9 times out of 10, my answer is almost always exploring cafés from all different neighborhoods. Going to a café is a great activity to get you out the door, whether that be to go get schoolwork done or just relax and listen to a podcast. Going to a café can make you not only feel productive but also a way to take time for yourself and explore the city. Finding cafés around the city has allowed me develop a new sense of direction and helped me learn the streets of the city better.
Start a simple hobby
I’ll admit starting a hobby has been the most challenging concept for me to grasp, since it felt every hobby I was trying to start, I would never commit to. But, trying something new is so important. Whether you stick to this certain hobby or not, doing something new can bring excitement and fun to your daily routine.
Personally, my all time favorite hobby is thrifting, but I have also tried hobbies such as reading, journaling, and even painting pottery. These hobbies give myself some alone time to just be with my own mind, or even sharing the experience with others to gain a bit more bonding time with friends.
