I Started Going Out More in the City & Here’s What Happened:

So. Back in January, I shared my NYC bucket list with all of you in an attempt to get myself out of a funk after moving to NYC. I just wanted to give you all an update:

It’s working. Little by little, I can see my attitude toward the city and my current season starting to change. Why? Because I am constantly giving myself something to look forward to. I cannot tell you how much joy I get from planning really amazing days off for myself. I am an extroverted introvert with the extroversion reserved exclusively for close family and friends. I have NO qualms spending the day completely alone. I am my best company. Just this week, I went on a tour of the Legendary Apollo Theater. It was beyond thrilling to stand on the very same stage where Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and so many more have performed. I also scored tickets to see Alvin Ailey! Orchestra seats, shawty!! The tickets were such a good price—just $59 and I was on the third row. I have never seen Revelations that close up and in NYC to boot. The week before that, I went for brunch at Nomo Kitchen (the pancakes!!!) and shopped around SoHo for a bit. I have every intention of making it through each item on my list over the next two years. My point?

I’ve made room for myself to enjoy the city; to enjoy my now. I intervened before I allowed resentment toward my initial experience to build and keep me from participating in the rest of my experience. I absolutely still look forward to my one day respite in Atlanta, but I can now say I really am starting to appreciate my current season. In fact, when I was last in Atlanta, I actually missed little pieces of my NYC routine. Shhhhh! Don’t tell Atlanta. On my weekend (if it’s an off day), I’ll typically head to Harlem Cycle for a good sweat session! I love that place so much and have been going weekly for a couple months now. The classes feel like such a great community and the instructors are so motivating. And the music?! Nothing like cycling to music you actually know and can groove to. Last week, our instructor played this song and Everybody lost it!!!

Residents, I know it can be so easy AND necessary to sat down (!!!) during your days off and just rest. I wanted to present an alternative for some of those off days: live your best life. I truly have been living and my bucket list holds me accountable. I have a version in my Notes app that I can check off as I go. When I’m out and about enjoying, I feel like a person again. I feel recharged and all the more ready to return to the clinic/hospital and give my patients my all when I go from being off to being on. I encourage everyone: make a list for your city and really explore where you live; especially if you are there temporarily.

I hear summers in NYC are a sight to behold. With limited covid restrictions this year, I do believe New Yorkers are going to be in rare form…and ya girl can’t wait to see. I look forward to all the brunches, rooftops, meet-ups, random wandering, and park hopping the next few months hold. Oh y’all didn’t know? I’m about to be a 2^nd year resident with even more free time and more FULL weekends on my hands. Especially after I take STEP 3, I am outside. Another great part of being in NYC is that so many content creator events take place right here. They have started back up and provide Uber codes to boot. I am definitely excited to be participating in a couple this coming week. I will always be willing to come back and forth to New York for my business.

My beginning in NYC was rough. Some days still are. But I hear if you can make it one year in the city, then you can make it several more; or in my case 2 more. I’m off to plan my next adventure. There’s a Juneteenth celebration somewhere in Brooklyn with my name on it.

xx,

Photos by Sweetie Mensah

Preset by Tina Smith