Since the end of the pandemic (in 2024), I’ve been lucky enough to behold many beautiful, dramatic landscapes that exist outside of New York City.
And sometimes, while distracted by daily life, I forget that I’m living near one that’s no less beautiful and no less dramatic.
Unlike so many of the unformed or unrealistic expectations that I associate with my past, I feel like living near a beautiful park is a goal that’s tangible and satisfying and not too ambitious. If I could advise a younger version of myself, I would say ‘being a writer or a musician is okay, but living near a beautiful park is something you should prioritize above these other pursuits.’
The park is not the only oasis in my life, but it’s perhaps the most literal one, which is useful to think about as I consider the metaphorical ones.
Wherever I am or whatever I’m doing (and whoever I’m with), I can think about how I feel in that situation and compare it to how I feel in the park. It offers me a kind of ‘yardstick’ or ‘vibe check.’
I’m also beginning to understand that much of my ‘non-park life’ — when I feel agitated or threatened — is the result of choices I’ve made that I no longer want or need to keep making.
Do I need to be outside of the park? Or is it there waiting, just a few steps away?
