sac·cha·rine

backcountrylemonade asked: should i move to new york city?

Moving to New York City was never my idea. I came here last August with my ex for his internship opportunity. Before last summer, in fact, I was very anti-NYC. Everyone moves here, everyone is better at your dream job than you and everything costs way too much to afford. And to some extent, all of that is true, which is alarming.

I’m unsure if I’d encourage anyone to move to New York because it is a very difficult place to live. But it’s worth it, if you can survive the regular beatings and accept the painful fact that plans fall through.

Although I am no longer with the person for whom I moved to New York, I’m still here. I was lucky and found a group of amazing and supportive friends—which makes a major difference. I didn’t and still haven’t given up. I don’t hope to make my part-time work at Barnes & Noble my career, but you do what you have to make things work, if it means enough to you. Each week I shove myself a little more to be a better writer, network with more media people, become further published—because it’s important to me. 

Living in New York is like committing to a manic-depressive mindset. Sometimes you will feel incredibly alone and deflated, eating tuna from the can in your unconditioned apartment. Others you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who inspire you, ready to walk the walk and perhaps beneath an expensive disco ball.

It’s just a matter of if it’s worth it to you. And if that’s you to begin with. I know plenty of successful, happy and driven folks who only temporarily or have never lived here. For me, this is where I need to be at this moment. Maybe not forever, but for now.

Does that help?