things i wish someone told me before i moved to new york in my 20s: [1.] you don’t have to sign a lease immediately. subletting first is honestly smarter. it gives you time to understand neighborhoods, routines, and what you actually need before committing. [2.] you will figure things out faster once you’re here. half the things you’re stressing about now won’t even matter once you’re in the city. [3.] opportunities don’t come to you — you place yourself near them. events, shoots, random conversations, just showing up… that’s how things start. [4.] you don’t need to “network,” just be real. people remember how you made them feel, not how perfectly you introduced yourself. [5.] no one is as put together as they look. everyone is figuring something out — they’re just moving anyway. [6.] your first version of life here won’t be your final one. apartment, routine, circle — it all changes, and that’s normal. [7.] the city rewards consistency more than talent. showing up again matters more than doing something impressive once. [8.] some days will feel very ordinary. and that’s actually when you know you’re building something real. [9.] you don’t need to rush to “make it.” you just need to stay long enough to understand how things work. [10.] if you feel called to be here, take that seriously. that feeling usually means something. I’m still building my path in New York in the creative world, but if there’s one thing I wish someone told me earlier, it’s this: take the risk and own your desire to pursue your dreams. You won’t be happier from staying safe where you are right now. Follow for more honesty and inspiration @alice_odessa 🤍