After my first three weeks in New York City, I've compiled a list of reasons why you should never move here. All of these things are real things I've faced.
1. You start to blend in and feel unoriginal.
All the times I felt like I was unique and different from everyone? Out the window. There's always someone here to match your weird and make you feel as if you're normal with no special talents. Being humble is really not up my alley, but ugh, I guess it's something that's happening as I live here more. Understanding that you're not the best there ever was and wanting to work harder just kills my ego.
2. You start to not smile.
I came from a very smiley place where everyone was always saying hello to each other and smiling. Here, smiling is something that only happens once in a blue moon. It only happens when you really care about someone or something, which is the worst, I know. Showing someone that you have feelings? Uh, no thanks.
3. You get dirty.
This city is just plain dirty and gross. So many people doing what they love just gets real germy real fast.
4. You start to gain weight.
I used to be so golden with food that was only open until 8 p.m. each night and with a routine dinner schedule, and now all of this delicious food that's open all night?! It's killing me.
5. You get the worst blisters.
I have absolutely the worst blisters from walking everywhere because - shocker - everything you could need is within walking distance. I can't stand having able legs and everything I could need within just a few blocks.
6. You start to move quicker.
I wish I could slip back into my inefficient life of walking slowly and not knowing the fastest way to do something. It's such a pain to realize that people are becoming more productive with their time and learn from their experience.
7. You start to be able to do things on your own more.
I really miss being dependent on someone else to walk me through each step of my life. Figuring out where I'm going on my own? Ugh. I hate the feeling of independence that comes from living here.
8. You learn how to not spend tons of money.
But I MISS spending $5 on a slice of pizza when really I could be buying it for $1! It's the glamorous life of not being frugal!
9. You become more accepting of different lifestyles and ideas.
I wish I could go back to outside of this city where I'm in my comfort zone and so is everyone else, completely intolerant of any idea outside of theirs. I wish no one would ever challenge my thoughts or ideas like they do here-- being tolerant can be such a hassle.
10. You start to have more opportunities.
I wish I could go back to where I would struggle to find vegetarian food or similar inconvenient things. Having everything I could ever need in the biggest city in the country in the world is the worst.
Obviously, this city is the absolute worst. Never move here. You'll fall in love with it and never want to go home.