I’ve been to New York City once, when I was 15. I went to train at a dance studio in midtown, so it is safe to say that advertising (or any career outside of dance) was not on mind at the time. But, I learned some New York lessons during my stay. Here are 3 of them:

1. Walk with intention. I know, you hear this all the time. New Yorkers are going from point A to point B and they look like they needed to be at point B YESTERDAY so get out the way. But, the lesson I learned from walking in New York is this: en route to point B is the perfect time and place to set intentions for point B. Whether it’s telling yourself that you will work to stand in the front of the ballet class for petit allegro, or that you will chat with x-many people at the agency you’re about to walk into, intention setting is the perfect commute activity.
2. Think back to the best meal you’ve ever had. I don’t care what it is, the point is that we can all remember the best meal we’ve ever had. Sure, sometimes the best meals are expensive. But, for me at least, that isn’t always the case. The best way to get to know a place is to eat your way through it. This will nourish your body and your soul. I’m not saying blow all your money on food, or don’t eat that granola bar for breakfast. But, nourish yourself. Create memories that center around a meal or a snack with friends. Eat that meal, and it might just be the best meal you’ve ever had.
3. You are most definitely going to get lost. It’s the best. Stressful, but the best. You might think that you will make it your 10:30 am ballet class with 20 minutes to spare. You might even map it, leave extra early, be the most prepared person on the island. But somehow, someday, you will get lost. Silver lining? You will probably find the best little coffee shop, or see a sight you didn’t even know existed. And the ballet class will still be there tomorrow.

Katherine Dean | 5.02.2019