For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of living in New York City. In my head, I had the whole thing figured out. A successful business, a great podcast, wonderful friends, and a glamorous life in the city. It was a dream so vivid that I could practically see myself living it. But life doesn't always work out the way we imagine. Twice, I came close to moving to New York City for a job. Twice, I was rejected. And both times, I wondered if the dream was slipping further away. Then something unexpected happened. I started building a life I really loved.
A Different Kind of Adventure
A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a Seattle coffee shop with a friend when she mentioned an upcoming trip to New York City. Four days later, I was on a plane. We wandered the streets, took the subway, drank our little Blank Street coffees, and laughed until three in the morning. We admired the stoops, visited Tiffany's (where I couldn't afford anything), and soaked up the energy of a city I'd imagined calling home for years. I loved every minute of it. But something felt different this time. I wasn't visiting New York City because I desperately wanted to escape my life somewhere else. I was visiting because I wanted to be there.
When Rejection Makes Room for Something Else
Looking back, those job rejections hurt. I questioned myself, my abilities, and whether I would ever get the opportunity to live the life I'd imagined. But had I taken either job, I might not have started building MadlyCreative in the same way. I might not have created She Says It, met so many incredible women, or discovered the freedom that comes with building a business I can take with me. I'm grateful for those experiences, even the difficult ones. And I've realized something important: You can be happy with what you have while still keeping a dream alive.
It's Not About New York City Anymore
I still want to live in New York City someday. Maybe for a few months, maybe for a couple of years. Maybe I'll simply visit more often. But I no longer feel like I need to move somewhere else to become the person I want to be. As I reflected during my latest episode of She Says It:
"It doesn't have to be some outlandish, crazy adventure to grow. We as humans can grow wherever we are. It's up to us."
I think that's the biggest difference between who I am now and the woman who dreamed of moving there a few years ago. Back then, part of me wanted to escape. Today, I'm building a life I don't feel the need to escape from. And that's a pretty wonderful feeling.
So, what's your dream? Is there something you've wanted for years? And has your relationship with that dream changed as you've grown? I'd love to know.
Listen to the full episode of She Says It for more reflections on New York City, rejection, and learning to appreciate the life you're building.
