The Weekender - 002
New York City. Old Ghosts. Moving Forward.
I am back on the East Coast, having received good and reassuring news about my family member’s health, so I opted out of the plan to go straight back to LA, and instead head down to NYC for a few days to get a much needed energy boost.
I was an enthusiastic drinker for eighteen of the twenty years that I lived in NYC, and the other two I spent mastering how to be a non-drinker in the ultimate party town. Now, whenever I visit, there is nothing that brings me more joy than simply walking around, revisiting old stomping grounds with all the memories, catching up with girlfriends in real life, and genuinely experiencing the energy that vibrates the city—Sans alcohol.
Yes, it can be done, and done well.
Please don’t ever hold yourself back or think life is limiting because you no longer ingest alcohol for whatever reason. Life is so much bigger than alcohol.
My husband and I have had an ongoing conversation about moving back, but neither of us is sure if we miss living in the city or if we really just miss who we were when we lived there. Young, energetic, irresponsible, and with a million friends around. So I intend to spend the next four days being young at heart, energetic, and pretending I don’t have a care in the world. Because, why the hell not!?
One can't paint New York as it is, but rather as it is felt. - Georgia O'Keeffe
I am going to feel New York this weekend, and therefore myself, because a piece of me was left behind when I left in 2017. And even if I don’t want to be the person I was when I was drinking and partying and making all kinds of fun yet foolish choices, I am still her, and I love her, and she will always and forever be a part of me.
I think there is a lot to learn from visiting old ghosts, and looking back can be just the medicine one needs to keep moving forward.
If you have ever lived in NYC or wished to, I have two books for you to read.
Goodbye To All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York by Sari Botton
Never Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York by Sari Botton
“My life in NYC was a full rinse and repeat of health, sabotage, health, sabotage. So when revisiting, I wanted to pay extra attention to how I can be here for 12 days and not run myself ragged. Well, the fact that I no longer drink is a great start to all this!” - From the newsletter, Feel Good Trip to NYC three years ago.
Cheers to celebrating life wherever you are.
Warmly, an older New York City broad.
