Love Letter to New York City

City of Dreams

Dear New York,

I’m writing this as a thanks for all you’ve given, asking only absurd rent, my gains, and GI distress as payment. Thank you for showing me in this short month what the city of dreams could be, and reminding me who I am. As the last official stop in my US-by-the-months tour (SF, LA, Denver, (Peru), NYC), it’s been a whirlwind of emotion, but also a reinforcement of my values and desires.

You’ve brought me reconnection. Given me the opportunity to spend quality time with many loved ones - something you know I relish. Whether it be over chai, coffee, beer, a cocktail, or tap water, I’ve gotten to feel the warmth of so many hugs and the fuel of so many smiles.

You’ve brought me confidence. Handling parallel streams including socializing, work, and interviews has been tough, but you ensured I had support and things to look forward to through it all, as well as an outcome befitting my effort.

You’ve brought me direction. I started with a rough understanding of what path was next, but you helped carve it out for me. Socially, you helped reinvigorate my love for third spaces. Emotionally, you helped me realize I can stand on my own two feet. Creatively, you reminded me those bones do exist in my body.

While this certainly is not goodbye, it is an au revoir. I’m sure just like before, when our paths cross next will be momentous. In the meantime, I hope that you’re treating my loved ones with the same care you’ve given me, propelling them not in the directions that they choose, but instead the ones they need - just like you have for me.

Brass Tacks: New York City by the numbers

3x Coffee tasting
3x Writing club attendance
3x Interview loop (2x Job offer!!)
3x Night out (each one with more stories to tell than the last)
3x Jay performance (2 band performances and one absolutely insan##e DJ set)
4x First date with beautiful woman
2x Comedy show (\infty if you include my friends’ comedies)
1x Michelin meal (+1 guide)
1x Art Museum
3-day San Francisco trip
4-day Boston trip + 4-days in NYC with work colleagues
6: maximum concurrent people staying at the 3-bed-1-bath apartment
- Ronan, David, Julia - you are troopers for this
1: Matt’s average slices per day in NYC (I probably come in at a disappointing 1/3)

Introspecting

In a less poetic and more stream of consciousness form, New York reminded me that variety is the spice of life. While I pride myself on consistency, letting go of that pattern and instead focusing on what I felt like doing that day enabled me to do so much more than I might have otherwise (see: above).

While NYC may not be the best long-term option for me, I loved the energy of the city - I got to do so much. I aspire to spend a month here annually, finding a similar gritty Chinatown apartment where I can be in close quarters with my friends, encouraging more to fly in and join the party during my tenure.

It’d be unfortunate to have spent all this time learning and not uphold the lessons in the rest of my life, so here’s what I intend to keep rolling:

Prioritize third spaces that resonate with you - they keep life feeling consistent but also introduce so many new people and opportunities
On occasion, choose chaos over structure - balance is key for a diverse and exciting life
Don’t be afraid to say hi - I think Seattle has pulled this out of me but it’s important to reintroduce this low friction activity. When you smile at the world, the world smiles back :)

The world’s got a whole lot in store for me the next few months, but for right now I’m taking advantage of every minute.

I always let the days slip away
I should have been making up my mind
I never opened up
Took it all in and now I'm running out of time

stamped. you finished it.READ

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April 26, 2026Meandering