NYC Apartment Hunt

I’m in New York City as I write this on an apartment search for my daughter’s second year of college in the city. 

We are walking that fine line between faith that we will find something and a ticking clock of needing to find it by Thursday. Over 20,000 steps yesterday searching and no wins yet. Apartments get gobbled up as soon as they are listed, so competition is high and endurance is key. 

We have learned that listing photos now utilize AI to make rooms look amazing and then you see it in person and realize quickly with deep disappointment that the smallest of beds would not fit into a room. The age of ethical photography appears to be long gone in this market. As my daughter said, “I feel so lied to.” 

With this learning experience, we have tempered our excitement and are approaching things more pragmatically.  

They say in NYC you get two of three things: space, location, price. It is clear to us now that it is true, you can only have two of the three, choose your two. Something has got to give. 

This process has reminded me that some of the hardest parts about being human are managing expectations, accepting what is, and trusting the right thing will align as it is meant to be. 

I don’t have advice for you this week as much as I offer solidarity to you as we all navigate the challenges of being human. 

I’m swimming in uncertainty and reminded that we truly always are. Sometimes these doses of extra uncertainty help remind us that this is the story of life. We take one faithful step at a time toward trusting that it’s all going to work out and it’s all going to be okay. And, the irony of me taking a long walk in Spain one step at a time isn’t lost on me here. I’m really in a masterclass of faith leaping right now!  

So here is my suggestion for your pondering this week:

When was the last time you felt very unsure of how things would unfold or work out? What did that feel like for you?

When did you last take a leap of faith? Is it maybe time for another one?

When could you not imagine the future because there were so many different ways it could go? And which way did it go?

Can you remember how unsure you were at that time? What would you tell that younger version of yourself knowing what you know now? 

It’s all going to be okay.

It always is,