Monday, February 27, 2012

i ♥ ny

On Wednesday, I leave New York City, my home of almost seventeen years. It's still difficult to believe, even a day away. When I moved here for school in 1995, I swore I would never live anywhere else. As amazing as New York is, and is it ever amazing, it can take its toll. Over the past few years I've found myself yearning for a quieter and simpler life. The craziest part of this scenario is not my move, it’s that I don’t yet know where I’m moving to. I’ll be staying with family and friends for the next month or two while I search for a new place to call home.

This week as I marked my last visit to the market, and my last walk through Central Park (to leave my apple), I shed quite a few tears as I thought about what I’ll miss most. Here are a few big ones...

* The subway & subway musicians – most especially guitarist Desmond Ivey who plays Columbus Circle Uptown 1 platform quite a bit. He makes me cry every time I hear him.
* Salaam Café on 13th Street. Coziest and most welcoming little tucked away place with my favorite dolmades & vegetable ouzi.
* Walking through Washington Square Park in the evening - esp in the rain or snow.
* Friday meditation with Raven.
* Metropolitan Opera House – regardless of whether I’m inside or outside.
* The endless and inspiring energy.
* Knowing that whenever my heart desires, I can hop on the train or walk across town and be standing in front of some of the greatest works of art in the world.
* Sunday Greenflea at 77th & Columbus. Vintage city treasures and the best pickles and jalapeno stuffed olives.
* Lastly and mostly, I’ll miss the people. Friends - new and old, teachers, acquaintances, fellow yogis, the receptionists at my gym, fruit sellers on my corner… I could write this list forever. Despite our reputation, New Yorkers are pretty awesome. My sister and niece top that list and leaving them will be the hardest of all.

Every once in a while I have a flash of panic and think that I’m making a terrible mistake and then my intuition seeps in, I see the life I want ahead of me, and that life is somewhere else. So, I’m following my intuition and trusting in myself. On to the next chapter. Thank you so much, New York! I really do love you.

6 comments:

  1. What a lovely and moving post. I was born and raised in NY but I too no longer live in the city. Your post reminded me of many of the things that I miss. It is an easy city to love and a hard city to leave. But as you said, you feel that this is the right move and I'm sure your intuition wouldn't steer you wrong. I wish you the best of luck!

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  2. i have only visited NY, but i can understand your feeling of leaving your home behind. i'm sure it will miss you too. best wishes as you
    find your next home.

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  3. New opportunities and skylines, Phoebe! New York will always be there for you.

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  4. I have travelled to quite a few places but have yet to visit the US, New York is definitely the draw card for me, along with some other places but that aside I have to say how much I could relate to your post. I have just moved (still knee deep in boxes and the like) and like you, the move was very hard but necessary. I loved where I lived and I think it's always hard to leave a place when things are good because you can't help but question if you are doing the right thing... the universe was also giving me quite a few nudges and so I felt it was time to move on and start a new chapter.

    Life is too short to live in the one place so all I can say is - you'll never, never know if you never, never go. Good luck with the move and I'm sure the perfect place to live will present itself to you.

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  5. Thanks so much for all the really kind comments. This feels like such a big jump into the unknown and it makes me feel better knowing my unsteadiness is understood and shared. Helped me smile through the tears! xo

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  6. That was so beautifully written. Change is never easy. Best of luck with your new adventure :)

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