As I sit here typing these words, I’m gazing out at rain and rolling green fields.
After living and working in New York for a year, I’ve already adjusted to the normalcy of home. Only a few weeks returned, and it’s like I never left.
Having also lived in Alicante and Cape Cod in the last few years, I’m quite used to the idea of not getting too used to a place, too attached. However, New York is different.
Now, I’m not going to take the path oft-trodden by bloggers and writers, addressing all the reasons why I loved and left New York.
I didn’t leave because the hectic pace had become too much – I was well used to that.
Or because it had become too emotional – you learn to check any emotions at the door in New York.
I left because my graduate visa expired. If you gave me the choice tomorrow, I’d happily live and work in New York for another year or two.
9/11 Memorial, World Trade Center
Freedom Tower viewed from Washington Square Park
New York is just as addictive as you would imagine. Something about it resonates with people the world over. Its got an electricity, a presence, a special ingredient that acts as differentiator.
It’s a city of extremes – the ambition, the wealth, the poverty, the portion sizes, the options, the temptation, the walking pace, the weather, the tipping. You either embrace the extremes, or you tap out.
Moving there solo made it slightly lonely initially, but the city became a reliable companion. It swept me up in its goings on, and I rode the wave.
I could go on for hours about its goings on, but here are just two such examples.
New England Patriots @ New York Jets, November 2016
New York Harbor Jet Ski, May 2017
I also talk all things New York in the following pieces:
- Irish views on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and the USA
- An Irish Lad Taking a Bite of The Big Apple #1. My First Month in New York
- An Irish Lad Taking a Bite of The Big Apple #2. Settling into Life in New York
- Dress for Success (hopefully) – Interviews in New York
- Working in New York City: Know Before You Go
- Working Life in New York and West Cork: What’s Different?
- How New York Has Changed Me in the Most Unexpected Ways
- The Ultimate Survival Guide to New York City
- It’s All About Who You Know: The Importance of Networking in New York
Core Values @ Sprinklr
I’d like to finish on notes of hope and optimism. You may wonder, how does it feel to be back in Ireland after living in New York for a year?
Actually, it feels pretty good. I knew since early summer that I would definitely be coming back to Ireland before Christmas.
It’s entirely up to me to build a body of work and earn my way back to New York in the future. Although leaving wasn’t the sweetest feeling, there’s more than enough motivation to get back. I’ve cultivated a network of great people and made a number of very good friends, all of whom made the year special.
What does the road ahead look like? It looks pretty bright at the moment, much like the photo below which was taken en route to the airport in Providence, RI.
If I could have picked anytime to get home, this would have been it. Festive excitement is setting in, all the family and friends will be around, and lots of catching up will be done.
I’m going to be doing more reading, writing, music enjoying, podcast listening, and sports watching. After all, two of the favourite mantras of my manager at Sprinklr were, “always be curious” and “never stop learning”.
I’ve seen where hard work can take you, if only for a year. Unless something unexpected arises, I’m going to be staying on the Emerald Isle for the next while.
I will miss the concrete jungle where hopes and dreams can be very much realised, but the green fields of home only get better with age.
It’s good to be back.
Written on 22 November
