More than a Minute

Riding on the coattails of last week’s post highlighting the realities of city living, today we are diving deeper into the elusive “New York Minute.” This commonly used phrase implies an urgency and finite period of time. For many, Manhattan is a place to experience adventure before eventually retreating closer to family or a slower pace. When the urban inconvenience outweighs the novelty, a one way ticket closely follows. This could very well be in my future path, but the pressure to soak in every moment ironically pushes me out of the present. Focusing on the temporary, creates this sense of loss when I still have so much left to gain.

The memorable moments in New York often emerge from simplicity and serendipity. They happen when my mind is peaceful and feels settled in my environment. A constant questioning of when my Eastern Standard Time expires leads to an imaginary haste towards an undetermined finish line. After a full day of work, a leisurely walk or Hulu catchup often appeal more than any coveted restaurant reservation or grand opening. But every exciting experience should be embraced, because someday soon I won’t have these same opportunities at my fingertips…

As someone continuing to embrace spontaneity through releasing control, I grapple with this balance. New York provides endless possibilities to meet, explore, and discover, but I also need the balance of simple mornings and early bedtimes sprinkled in. I don’t see this city as a stop along the way, but rather a destination to strengthen my roots. I can only thrive and bloom if I entwine real life into the sparkle, and accept that both must exist simultaneously for sustainability. When circumstances differ from expectations, I find my inner monologue complaining “This doesn’t align with my New York Minute!”

However, this isn’t a minute… it’s my life, no matter the zip code or duration. There is no shame in hard days, or working through challenges, while acknowledging the surrounding glimmers. We can approach internal dialogues with gentle curiosity, while showing grace for ourselves when difficult spirals overpower our thought patterns. Accepting rather than rejecting obstacles alleviates frustration when life doesn’t unfold according to plan. Let’s slow down, take a few deep breathes, and reclaim the narrative of the New York Minute, inclusive of the letdowns, lazy days, and (endless) laundry.

XOXO,

Miss (Sparkling and Sensible) Wright Now