Wandering Through: Signs of New York City

How cool is that adoption event poster? I would easily become the crazy cat lady from The Simpsons in that event.

I was recently in New York City for the first time, and it surprised me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The streets and the subway were way cleaner than expected, more than in some European capitals, New Yorkers were super nice and open, and it was not all burgers and dollar pizza slices! It probably sounds cliche, but I think most people have that image of the Big Apple.

The only thing that shocked me at first, was when I got out of the airport transfer a couple of streets next to Times Square, and a wave of smells hit my face. It didn’t smell bad, or good. It was a strange mix of smells coming from all the fast food stands in that area: pretzels, hot dogs, donuts, burgers, falafel, gyros, kebab, and so on, mixed with smells from the cars, the heat and water vapor coming from the underground. You just get used to it in a couple of minutes really.

One of the things that really stood out for me were the signs I’d find all over the city. Let’s check them out.

GET. MORE. REST.

Straightforward and clear. What else could you ask for. May this serve as a reminder to all of us to prioritize self-care in all areas of our fast-paced life.

Work and learn how to take a break from work. Exercise and learn how to treat your body with quality rest and recovery. Socialize and spend time with friends, but don’t forget to book some me-time during the week to read, reflect on events or whatever activity that makes you reconnect with your inner self.

Going Home To Your Family

I was impressed to see this. At a construction site. Totally unexpected.

I wish all workplaces had this level of self-awareness. You can love your work, get obsessed over it, but it should never come in the way of those people cheering and caring for you back home. Even the most office-based corporate jobs can create this fake illusion that you are irreplaceable at it, but where you really are irreplaceable is at home.

I might expand on this in future posts.

Be Yourself

Remember to always be yourself. Because as Timothée Chalamet once said in an interview, “you need to realize that life comes from you and not at you”.

Read it again and give it a second thought.

Bonus track

To end, I would like to highlight these two posters. One from a cat adoption event and another from the 5th Avenue Lego Store.

Just enjoy.