People love to watch shows and movies that romanticize big cities and what life is like living there. I can say firsthand, as a woman living in a big city, that there are some aspects to those shows that are true, and some that are not. Being born and raised in such an environment, I’ve learned a few important life lessons that helped me navigate this busy life while also enjoying where I live to the fullest. There are some lessons that I feel are the most important when it comes to being a city girl, and I wanted to share three of these important lessons with you all.
1. Don’t be a homebody, go out and explore!
Growing up in a city means being in the middle of the hustle and bustle with so many things to do, see, and essentially be a part of. As I was getting older, my friends and I would love to hang out downtown and see what was going on that we would be interested in! We would go out to eat at restaurants we hadn’t tried before, check out events that were happening on a random day, and even spontaneously watch a performance at a theater nearby. If we didn’t want to spend money, we’d hang out at one of the many parks in the area or go down to the beach to build sandcastles or admire the scenery. Whether you can spend money or not, just being outside and having fun with friends or family, in my opinion, is much more fun than staying home. Don’t get me wrong, sitting in the comfort of your home and doing your own thing is so much fun, but going out and trying new things makes life more interesting and introduces you to experiences you might not have known you’d like until you tried them. That’s what makes going out and exploring so exciting! Living in a city gives you so many opportunities to find something that you’re passionate about and experiencing that firsthand is why it became such an important life lesson to me.Â
2. Public transportation is your best friend!
Traffic can be a nightmare, especially if you’re living in a big, business-heavy city like mine. In cases like these, I learned it’s best to opt out of driving around yourself and take the bus or train instead. Using public transportation, specifically the train, is so much easier and more efficient to get from one place to another! I love to drive, but traffic is so frustrating, especially if I’m on a time crunch and have to get somewhere quickly. I love taking the bus if I’m in no rush so that I can people-watch and save my own gas since I’m not driving. Walking is also a good way to get around. I love to walk with my headphones on and admire the scenery while on my way to my destination if it’s close enough. Public transportation in general runs early and typically ends late, so there’s no way you can be stranded somewhere without a train station or a bus stop nearby. That’s one of the nice things about living in a city, there’s always a way around!
3. No need for groups — be your own friend!
Sometimes when you want to go out and no one is available to hang out, you might not want to go out and do things anymore, right? Well, that would be a perfect opportunity to go out by yourself and do things solo! Being in a city offers lots of things to do, even if you are alone. It might sound depressing and lonely for some, but if you don’t mind being in your own company, whether the activity is sightseeing, eating, or anything else for that matter, I think you’d have so much fun. When I walk around my hometown by myself, I love pretending I’m the main character — looking up at the skyscrapers, drinking a chai in a cafe, going to the library and sitting in a corner with a good book, and many other activities. Growing up, I learned that waiting to do things with people might not work out due to scheduling conflicts, last-minute cancellations, or even that they don’t want to go as much as you, and it’s not worth it. You might as well go yourself when you want, have a good time, and go again with your friends if they’re up for it. I always think a “me day” is relaxing and gives you time to reflect on all the good things in your life. What better way to do all that than out on the town?
Growing up surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life has taught me many things like independence, staying curious, and embracing the life that I have. Whether it’s hanging around the shops with my friends, navigating my life using trains and buses, or even just enjoying my own company surrounded by tall buildings, living here has shaped me into who I am and who I will be for the future. You don’t have to be from a city to learn these life lessons! Just taking yourself outside and enjoying life already puts you one step ahead. One more lesson I learned is you don’t need to be from a city to be a “city girl.” You just need to put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone. It’s also about how you grow and the hope you discover for yourself along the way. I hope at least one of these life lessons stuck with you, and I hope you utilize them to enjoy life a little more than you had before.