9 Things I’m Thankful For in NYC

It’s important for us to remember what we’re thankful for at the holidays, and all year long.

Thanksgiving is upon us, marking the beginning of the holiday season. This is my favorite time of year, and even though many sobering events are taking place around the world today, I can’t let that stop me from remembering the many privileges and blessings in my life. If anything, it’s more important now for all of us to remember what we’re thankful for.

I’m thankful for…

…my apartment.
I may complain about how difficult it is to find an apartment in New York City or how the rent is so high that I can’t even save up money, but at the end of the day, I still have a roof over my head. And it’s a fabulous apartment if I do say so myself.

…my jobs.
I didn’t expect to work for myself until I realized nobody was willing to hire me. Over the past five years, I have scored freelance clients and gigs – from voiceover acting to writing for Tracy’s New York Life, to being the marketing director for an international luxury magazine. The opportunities that constantly pop up in NYC are amazing.

I’m thankful for the opportunities available in this city. Here, Tracy and I are out covering an event at New York Fashion Week.

…my friends.
My main group of friends here is made up of actors and professional comedians. Our schedules are always packed, so we rarely see each other, but when we do, we make every second count. I’m so thankful to have such supportive friends who have their own lofty goals (something that inspires me). Plus, they’re low-maintenance enough that we can go months without seeing each other, only to pick up where we left off.

…transportation.
I’ll never stop loving the fact that I don’t have to worry about car payments, gas prices, car insurance, parking, or designated drivers. In a city filled with buses, subway trains, and cabs, locals are fortunate enough to go where we want, when we want. And we can drink as much as we want when we’re out partying.

No car payments or insurance to worry about. In NYC, I can hop on a train or bus and get anywhere.

…convenience.
It’s amazing how many shops and restaurants can be crammed into one city block, not to mention how many places stay open 24 hours a day. If I feel like ordering a burger from Gracie’s Diner at 3 a.m., it’s there. If I want to see a movie, I just have to walk across the street to the movie theater. New York City’s convenience factor simply cannot be beat.

…culture.
I’m a cosmopolitan city girl through and through, and I love the diversity we have here. French festivals, Caribbean parades, African dance classes, etc. If I want to “visit” a culture or meet people from a different background, I can do so whenever I want. There’s so much beauty in different ethnicities, religions, languages, and cuisines – so I’m thankful that I’m exposed to it every single day.

Festivals like Bastille Day are a constant reminder of the diversity and cultural offerings in NYC.

…the people.
Outsiders may think New Yorkers are rude, pushy, and always in a rush. But after taking time to have a conversation with multiple strangers over the years, I find NYC locals to be encouraging, tough, hilarious, and oddly comforting. Whenever I tell people outside New York that my career is in music, I’m always met with “Oh, that’s hard,” or “How long are you going to do that before you give up?” But here, the only responses I get are “You’ll make it,” or “It’s going to happen.” I love that I can always find an encouraging word from a stranger in this city.

…the excitement.
Everything happens here. Broadway musicals, casting calls, restaurant openings, new flagship stores, etc. I have never had “FOMO” while living in New York, simply because I know there’s always something new coming up. If I miss out on one event, it’s no big deal – another VIP invite is just around the corner.

…the struggle.
I won’t lie – struggling to pay rent or buy a sandwich to last until the next day sucks. But it also builds character, which is priceless. As Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” I’m incredibly thankful for everything NYC has given me, and how the city has pushed me to my limits. At the end of the day, it is those challenges that have allowed me to grow and become the person I want to be.

The hard is what makes New York great. This city pushes me to my limits.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Posted on 11/23/2015