Bright lights. Big City. Often dubbed the home of the rich and soon-to-be famous. Anyone who’s ever lived in or been to New York City will tell you that it’s a city like no other. Each borough has its own culture and atmosphere, and it’s definitely a breathtaking sight. So breathtaking that for an anxiety-ridden introvert like me, it might literally take our breath away. And speed up your heart rate. And send your thoughts in a downward spiraling frenzy. But contrary to what you might think, I have fallen in love with New York City. And I fall in love with it again every day.
Don’t get me wrong, when I first moved to Manhattan as a college sophomore, I made my first commute to class and was terrified. Stereotypes of being mugged and approached by strangers and getting hit by a taxi flooded my mind. I just wanted to run back to my shoebox of an apartment and hide. I did not want to meet new people and I was sure the people of this city did not want to meet me. Turns out, I was partially right. New York is such a fast moving city with millions of people that have a strict agenda, and believe it or not, but they are not at all concerned with what you are doing at the moment. You can get lost among the crowds which I learned is both a curse and a blessing. The streets can swallow you up and start to make you overthink things a little too much. But trust me if you just go with the current of the crowd, it won’t be hard to keep to yourself.
I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everything about you, so to walk amongst people who don’t look at you differently was amazing. No one is easily amused or alarmed so you can dress the way you want and be free. New York City is filled with so many different ethnicities, identities, and personalities that no one is actually different. That probably didn’t make sense so I’ll explain it this way. Everyone is so different that you no longer become phased by outrageous outfits and semi-disturbing behavior. Nothing is strange in New York City. Everyone minds their own business and therefore respects your personal space-- most of the time. So if you’re reading a book on the subway, no one is going to strike up a conversation with you and force you to be social. They’re all too self-absorbed into what they’re doing.
Also, there’s so much to do in New York City and no one cares if you’re by yourself. Take a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge, check out bookstores (Strand is literally the best), stroll on 5th ave, go to museums, walk the Highline. The possibilities are endless. So even if you’re an introvert whose worst nightmare is social interaction, have no fear; NYC may still be the place for you.
