There’s something about this city that matures you fast. You don’t even notice it—until one day you look around and realize you’re not the same person who first stepped off that plane, wide-eyed and hopeful. If I could whisper something to you before it all begins, it would be this: some mistakes aren’t harmless. Some patterns will quietly cost you the next version of your life. So here are 5 mistakes I made—or barely dodged—that your 30s will definitely remember: [ 1 ] Waiting for the “right time.” New York teaches you fast: no one is going to hand it to you. Opportunities don’t wait for your confidence to catch up. If you don’t move now, someone else will. And when the moment passes, it won’t come back the same way. [ 2 ] Shrinking yourself to be liked. You don’t need to dim your ideas, your ambition, or your style to make people comfortable. The right ones will meet you where you burn the brightest. The rest were just passing by. [ 3 ] Overcommitting to things that don’t align. This city will offer you everything—and you’ll feel like you should say yes to it all. Don’t. Energy is limited. And if you give it to the wrong places, you won’t have any left for what really matters. [ 4 ] Letting rejection define you. You will hear “no” more times than you can count. It’ll sting. But most of the time, it’s not personal—it’s redirection. Keep moving. Keep creating. You’re not meant for every room, but you’re meant for some. [ 5 ] Trying to blend in. The ones who thrive here aren’t always the loudest—but they are the most themselves. You don’t need to be someone else to belong. You need to own who you are, fully. Read this again when you need to remember why you started. And maybe save it for when you’re about to choose comfort over growth again. Because the truth is, your 30s will thank you for being brave right now. And if you’re doing it in New York—well… you’re already ahead.