Just Me and My Suitcase—Not Even a Job!
Let me start by saying that I don’t hate New York City—I actually love it. But at this point, NYC has become a place I want to admire from a distance. I’m a New Yorker, born and raised, and I now live in Manhattan while attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. Just typing that out, I know my younger self would be flipping out. I’ve accomplished everything I dreamed of for my college years. But now, it’s time for my next chapter.
When I first came to FIT, I was an entirely different person. I loved who I was back then, but I can confidently say I never want to be her again. She was insecure, naive, and cared way too much about what others thought. The person I’ve become today is someone I’m genuinely proud of. I feel more mature, healthier, and happier. I’ve become an adult—someone with a routine, my first big marketing job, lifelong friendships, and a passion to be better every day. Yet, it often feels like I’m stuck in the past. What can I say? I’ve outgrown New York.
It takes a certain kind of person to truly thrive in the city that never sleeps. I used to be that person—the one who thrived in the chaos of this city: the noise, the pace, the endless possibilities. I lived for the nightlife, the hustle of busy streets, the loud concerts, and the energy of nightclubs. But that’s not who I am anymore, and I’ve come to accept that it’s okay. For a while, I struggled to hold onto the life I knew—clinging to old friendships and past hobbies. But I soon realized that in order to grow into the person I’m meant to be, I had to let it all go. I had to allow myself to change. The version of myself that once belonged here no longer fits, and that’s been a hard but necessary truth to face.
Once I embraced that change, it became clearer every day that New York wasn’t my city anymore. It was once my home, but now it feels like a relic of my past—frozen in time, just like the person I used to be. The streets that once felt alive now feel stagnant, a reminder of who I was rather than who I am. And now, all I hear calling to me is the sound of the ocean—the calm, the freedom, the chance to start fresh. It’s time for me to move on.
If New York isn’t my place, then where is it? All I know is that I was made to be by the ocean. I grew up never seeing the ocean or visiting the beach—crazy, I know. But I can still vividly remember the first time I saw the waves crashing against the shore. In that moment, I felt a sense of belonging I had never known before. It was as if I had finally come home. I’ve never been happier than when I’m by the water. There’s a freedom from worries and anxieties, a peace that the city could never provide. That’s the life I want to live: calm, not chaos.
So, with that being said, I made a decision: I was going to graduate early, pack my life into a suitcase, say my goodbyes, and head west to Southern California. This place, even though I’ve yet to settle in, already feels like home. Like a place I’m truly meant to be.
Now, let me tell you a story. I’m not someone who’s big on astrology, but I have a coworker who reads people’s astrological charts. One day, I decided to let her read mine, and as she kept spewing out details, the things she said started to feel more and more accurate. I was amazed. Then, things got a little crazier. She pulled up a map on my phone, marked with lines that ran across the globe. Each line was linked to a place that, in some way, would be life-changing or where you were meant to be. Want to take a guess where my line ran through? San Diego.
I was stunned—surely, she had to be lying, right? Nope. And at that moment, everything clicked. The overwhelming sense of home and that magnetic pull toward this beach town finally made sense. I was meant to be there, and I was meant to make it my place.
I’m trading in the busy streets for ocean walks, the nightclubs for outdoor restaurants, and the taxis for bicycles. A slower, sunnier, more peaceful life—exactly what I’ve been craving.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. I’m moving across the country. Alone. No home lined up. No job waiting for me. I don’t know a single person there. So yeah, I’m scared. But will fear stop me from making this move? Not a chance.
People look at me like I’m crazy, but whatever happened to being bold?
I truly believe our generation has grown too comfortable. We cling to safety, avoid uncertainty, and shy away from risks. But that’s not how I want to live. So I’m getting on that plane and making San Diego my city—because I never want to look back and wonder, What if? I never want to say I chose comfort over chasing the life I truly want.