One of the things I have always admired about Carly is that she is brave. Or rather, she seems brave, even if she might not feel it, and you gotta fake it til you make it. You know that, obviously, since you’re a Smaggle reader and you love her as much as I do. When Carly asked me to write something for Smaggle, I had to think long and hard about what I would say. Carly and I share a love of New York City, and as it happens, I packed my suitcase and moved to NYC almost a year ago. Leaving my life in Australia and starting again halfway around the world is one of the biggest things I have ever done, and I have learnt some valuable lessons along the way.
It will be scary
Yes, it will be scary. It’s scary packing your life into storage, knowing you only have two suitcases to start your new life (well, two suitcases and three boxes that were shipped). It’s scary landing in a new country and needing to figure out the public transport, the banking, getting an apartment, and figuring out new brands at the supermarket. It’s scary not having your support network 10 minutes down the road. It’s scary not having access to Allen’s Lollies (that one might only apply to me, rather than being a wider lesson for everyone).
It will be lonely
For a city of eight million people, New York can be really lonely. It’s especially noticeable when all your friends and family are 24 hours away, and it’s just you and your husband for brunch, lunch and dinner every day. On the flipside, it has forced me out of my comfort zone and I have made some great new friends.
It will be sad
I have missed some big moments – my goddaughter walking for the first time, my Nana getting sick, Christmas, New Years, and countless birthdays. Skyping in to a party just isn’t the same, and getting voicemail messages from drunk friends who are serenading you with your favourite karaoke song just makes you feel further away than ever.
It will be challenging
New York City is a bully – it kicks my ass on a daily basis. One step forward, two steps back. As an alien (yes, that’s what visa holders are called) everything is that much more difficult, from getting a phone, to finding a job. But when you are down to your last five bucks and ready to call it quits, New York will provide and everything is okay again. Until tomorrow.
It will be exciting
Forgetting all of the above – the tough moments, the tearful skypes – sometimes I will be walking home from the supermarket, look up the street and see the Empire State Building. I will head to Central Park for my weekend walk. I will see a Broadway show on a Tuesday night after work because I can. I don’t regret my move one bit, and I’m proud that I was brave enough to take the leap. Good things come from bravery.
I’m currently in Thailand with some fairly dodgy internet connection so I’ve asked a few of my favourite bloggers to guest post on Smaggle while I’m away. If you want to keep up with my adventures, just follow me on Instagram. I’m Smaggle. Elise is the editor of Stuff That I Bought. You can get more awesome Elise goodness on Twitter.
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