Important Self-Discoveries & The Best NYC Day {Week in Review}

Happy Monday! Super quick intro today because I honestly want to dive back into my book and then go to sleep relatively early (it’s Sunday night as I type this). This Week in Review was a particularly satisfying one to recount, mostly because it involves so much tangible joy that I was smiling as I wrote each item. I hope you all had a blissful week, or at least some moments that made you smile. Let’s dive in.

Last week I…

Started (and fell in love with) Elizabeth Gilbert’s masterpiece Eat Pray Love

I am only one-third of the way through it, but I already know this book is going to become one of my all-time favorites. My goodness, what an incredible story. Perhaps you won’t agree with me, which is why I’m not really going to recommend it. I know for sure that had I read it when I’d planned to back in December, I wouldn’t’ve gotten nearly as much out of it. I strongly believe that the books, movies, people, etc. that come into our lives always come at a very specific time for very specific reasons, and this little book is no exception.

Saw a delightful Broadway show, followed by Junior’s cheesecake at 12am

My mom, her boyfriend, and I went to go see Hello Dolly on Broadway. I’m always a sucker for Broadway, so despite having no idea what this show was about, I eagerly agreed to go. I ended up absolutely loving it. It was quite different from the shows I have seen in the past, but it was beautiful and bright and uplifting and just a perfect way to spend an evening.

The theater was right across from Junior’s (which in my humble opinion serves the best cheesecake in NYC, though I’m sure many will disagree). Naturally, we had to go. By the time we were seated it was 12am, but none of us cared as we happily dug into the creamy goodness. I was feeling giddy, the kind of happy where I’m acting slightly crazy, and I realized how long it’s been since I really truly relaxed like this.

Had the most blissful day in Soho with my mom and by my lonesome

This was such a great day. Mom and I started off with a brunch at Two Hands and then meandered through Soho, popping into various shops. Eventually my mom went to do some shopping, and I spent a solid hour and a half in Paper Source, just ogling all the adorableness. Then I grabbed a delicious coffee that shall be mentioned below and went to the nearby Elizabeth Street Garden (one of NYC’s little secret gems) and curled up with my coffee and Liz Gilbert for company, surrounded by greenery, stone statues, and a whole bunch of New Yorkers enjoying the sun. It was pure bliss. And then Mom and I reconvened and got…

Had the best ice cream cone of the summer

So I already knew Van Leeuwen was one of my all-time faves here in the city, but first of all, I had never had the life-changing flavor that was Peanut Butter Marshmallow Crunch (seriously this ice cream should be a food group in itself), and second of all, the experience of furiously licking the drippy cone while perched on a tiny wooden bench in the middle of Soho was truly an unforgettable one. A moment of magic in the simplest way.

Discovered a new favorite coffee shop

This is the what I contentedly sipped in Elizabeth Street Garden, thanking my lucky stars that I live in this city of incredible coffee. I’d heard about Gimme! Coffee for a long time but weirdly hadn’t tried it until now. My iced oat milk latte was pure perfection, and I’m currently drooling thinking about it. I will most definitely be back.

Made a few important self-discoveries

Namely…
1. I need adventure. Every day.

2. Staying home all day makes me a sadder, more irritable version of myself. Even staying in my neighborhood can do that. Therefore, I should make a point to go into the city to get work done most days of the week (and if not work, then pursuing #1 on the list).

2. I can’t be on my phone all the time. It’s really not good for me, and as dramatic as it may sound, it sucks the soul and the life out of me when I use it in excess.

3. Movies and music often evoke emotion in me like nothing else can; I often don’t know I’m feeling something until it is pulled out of me like taffy by a seemingly innocuous song or film. Therefore, I should listen to more music and watch more movies.

4. Pursuing wonder and adventure in this summer (and in my life in general) is the way to really truly feel happy and fulfilled, not getting through as much of my to-do list as possible in a day. It will all get done, and I suspect if I focus on joy and wonder instead of achievement and busyness in my day, I’ll be even more creative and will therefore, paradoxically, get much more done.

 

On that note, I wish you a week of wonder, joy, and magic. Love you always.

Linking up with Meg for Week in Review

 

Tell me about something that made you smile last week.

Ever read Eat Pray Love?