I just started my internship in the Big Apple! Ok, I’m from Jersey, no one around here actually calls it that, but the opportunity to have NYC so close to home is something I have definitely taken for granted. Millions of people only dream of NYC and get their ideas of it from movies and the Internet.
I’ve been to Broadway and climbed the Empire State Building and been to Central Park, Times Square and all that but never have I consistently been immersed in the NYC life-scratch that-the commuter life than this past week.
Here I am, on the 6:01pm train on my 90minute trek back home on the NJT to look forward to a 25 minute drive home. I’ll manage to squeeze in the gym, dinner, a quick hello/goodnight to my family then go to bed to get up at 5:30 to then take the 6:44 out, followed by 15 mins on a diff train to get to work by 8:45. LOVELY
I also calculated that I’ll be spending approximately 1/3 of my pay check just on getting to and from work (worth it???)
However, although the commute is long, I sleep WAY less than I want, I workout less and I’m still broke, I like it. I like feeling like I’m important and have places to be. I like watching the other commuters and like to make up stories for them-where they’re from, what hobbies they have, what they do for a living and whether they actually like it. I always wonder what they think when they see me-this short girl wearing Vans on the rush hour trains with headphones in and music playing loud enough for them to definitely hear.
It’ll be an experience and opportunity to finally do all the things I said I’d do like eat my way around the city and frolick soho and visit Central Park and read a book on a bench and hit every art museum.
But let’s make this clear-I never want to commute again.
Here’s a quick 5 tips on how to survive the commute as a twenty-something who loves sleeping and having a life:
1) Pack your lunch/bag with everything you need /pick out your clothes the night before all the way down to your socks. (You get hella more time to sleep doing this)
2) Buy your train/bus/subway tickets in bulk (I.e 10trips/weekly/monthly) lets you leave later and not rush everyday to get on. (Again more sleep and less stress)
3) ALWAYS REMEMBER HEADPHONES
4) Wear comfortable shoes because crowded and people will step on your toes also who wants dirty feet ?!
5) Always make sure your phone is charged (pack an extra charger and a battery pack if you want) Nothing sucks more than your phone dying mid ride when you have 73 more minutes
COURTSNEXTSTOP 