Trying something new – Every week I’ll post a weekly re-cap of what I found interesting, from social, technology, events, creativity, inspiration, and NYC. Enjoy!
Wildcard (My life and interesting things I find along the way) :
This new Tropicana Subway Ad
Blue Apron Meals– This is a life changer. They send you 3 healthy meals per week to cook. I’m learning to cook and don’t need to do as much grocery shopping!
Snowpocalypse (Nemo) and the Smallest Snowman to Hail a Cab:
This week I had the honor of holding the NYCbaton. For those that aren’t familiar with NYCbaton, it’s a collaboration from the NYC instagram community. The idea is that a different New Yorker gets passed the baton (Instagram account) and has a day to shoot through the eyes of a New Yorker’s day. Recently I had the opportunity to hold it this past Wednesday.
After my first shot of the day got over 200 likes, I felt the power trip start to form.
I had the attention of 2,892 people. This was the largest audience I’ve ever been faced with one-on-one. It was terrifying and overwhelming all at once. With the limit of 7 photos for the entire day, the pressure was on. This is New York, I thought, realistically there’s far too many things to take pictures of.
Instagram comes naturally to me especially when it’s on your own terms. You have complete control of your own social presence. You have no one to blame but yourself. The only question you have to ask is, do you want a huge fan base or want to be an authority of awesome. I’d chose the latter. Followers will come when you’re original, interesting, and true to yourself. However in this moment I felt like this was my one shot. It wasn’t until the first few photos that it clicked. I had to ask myself, who really cares and what exactly do they care about? The answer’s simple. They care about your day. They care about a New Yorker’s perspective. As much as I struggled to take those scenic Empire State Building shots, I knew deep down inside people could see that anywhere and at WAY better quality than from my iPhone5. What they really wanted was to see our surroundings, how we live, what it’s like to be a New Yorker. We’re like one of those rare species of tree frogs in the wildness that scientists can’t help but study. And to my surprise a lot of people commenting weren’t even from here. All that was left was to give the people what they want. At the end of the day, my personal Instagram will still be there as my own creative outlet.
Today marks my 2nd year in NY. It feels only like yesterday my cat shoved himself into my luggage bag.
Before I knew it I was face to face with snow for the first time in my life.
“New York forces you to grow up fast,” a friend said to me this weekend. He couldn’t have been more right. Every single day you’re given a new challenge that makes you think faster and learn quicker than you ever thought possible. Changes are made daily; you need to learn how to adapt.
I’ve learned quite a bit over the past 2 years. Here are a few secrets I’ll let you in on:
1.) It will never get any easier. Ever. There will always be snow, rent, tourists, homesick-ness, and everything comes at a cost because lets face it, it still annoys me that you have to pay for the beaches here.
2.) Ignore the haters. Inevitably someone will cut you in line (and never apologize), no one will ever give up their seat for you, and you may face a time when someone will throw you under the bus. Hear me out. The truth is there’s far too much competition here. Everything needs to be fresh and fast, simply because there are too many talented people here. Everyone wants to be seen. My advice, ignore the haters. Master getting people’s attention without excuses, without sacrificing someone at the cost of your benefit. They may think they’ve accomplished something, but in the end they are still the same — mediocre at best.
3.) Stop questioning the city. At some point you will eventually learn to accept it for who it is – Like a pain in the ass family member, who in the end you love regardless of all their faults. Because the reality is this place changes you. I would never have had the opportunity to do 2% of the things I’ve done here back at home. Looking back I’ve been a part of some amazing companies, made some good friends, and with all the things I’ve been able to experience I feel truly blessed and lucky.
There is really nothing like taking that leap into the unknown and knowing you will probably fail. The key is to fail harder again and again. Because those who have it easy, those that are so naturally successful aren’t nearly as interesting as those that fail, learn, get up, and tries it all over again…. (Look at Kim Kardashian, she’s got to be the most boring celebrity ever. As Grumpy Cat said it best, “I wish I had her talent of having no talent, and getting paid for it.)
This journey has been both exciting and terrifying. But there is nothing quite like that feeling of figuring it all out – The Uncomfortable Zone. I’m not sure what’s in store next but I do know that I’m excited about the adventure. And I do know I want to continue to write it all down, whatever it might be so I’ll never forgot.
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It wouldn’t be a true Nicole post without lots of photos so here is a #2yrRecap:
Working at the Guggenheim Museum #2yrRecapMeeting this guy #2yrRecapChristmas in NY, always a good time #2yrRecapAny Webster Girl Adventures #2yrRecapLomography Trips & Work #2yrRecapImprov Everywhere 2012 MP3 Experiment #2yrRecapAny time this happened #2yrRecapOr this. #2yrRecapAny time Dad came to visit. #2yrRecapFinally seeing Regis #2yrRecapNY Creative Interns Team #2yrRecapJazz-Age Lawn Party with Friends #2yrRecapFlavorpill Events and Worklife #2yrRecapExploring Central Park #2yrRecapMeeting my Irish Family for the first time #2yrRecap
Just before take off I hear “you can always come back home” on the radio station. Right before the Jetblue TV’s cut off to the flight attendants giving their instructions. I’m grateful for these signs, leaving Florida and my dad is always the hardest part of any trip. On the one hand Florida is safe and familiar – it’s what I’ve always known. And then there’s New York – stressful, difficult, uncomfortable.
Reflecting on the future, as many do this time of year. I remembered when I first moved here. I remember being picked up by the Guggenheim because of my laid back attitude, my confidence. I need to get back to that place. I need to stop worrying and start thinking positive, and more importantly not let my surroundings beat out the person I am. Realistically, NY is always going to be a pain in the ass. It’s never going to change, so I shouldn’t let it change me.
Of my many resolutions for the new year. It is clear to those that know me that I want to find my dream job. To come to work everyday and know I’m doing work that matters. I had an interesting conversation with my dad before I left, about how we’ve started to hire few and hire those that will do more for less. In turn quality ultimately gets compromised.
As another resolution of mine (to read more, at least a half hour a day and/or on my commute) I’m currently reading Seth Godin’s new book The Icarus Deception. Just recently reading this:
Our cultural instinct is to wait to get picked. To seek out the permission, authority, and safety that comes from a publisher or talk-show host or even a blogger who says, “I pick you.”
Once you reject the impulse and realized that no one is going to select you – then you can actually get to work.
Once you understand that there are problems waiting to be solved, once you realize that you have all the tools and all the permission you need, then opportunities to contribute abound. The opportunity is not to have your resume picked from a pile but to lead.
When we take responsibility and eagerly give credit, doors open. When we grab a microphone and speak up, we’re a speak closer to doing the work we’re able to do.
No one is going to pick you. Pick yourself.
Last year I was waiting to get picked. This year I’m picking myself.
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Nicole Monahan 