What's My Motivation: Learning to Navigate the City

Picture this: you arrive in the big city, you breathe in that "fresh" air, and you're ready to tackle whatever it has to throw at you! So you start thinking logistically and ask yourself, Okay, so how will I get around? By car? Ha, no way, have you seen this traffic, not to mention the costs for parking? How about by bicycle or scooter? Possible, but where do you store it? How do you ensure it won't get snatched? Then maybe by foot? Reliable for some distances, depending on the day and/or weather, but maybe not the most convenient use of your time during every occasion in the city. Looks like public transit it is. Gulp.

If this thought fills you with dread, know that you are not alone! Moving here from AZ, where the extent of public transportation virtually begins and ends with a single-track light rail that just goes up and down, and learning to RELY on it to get in and out of (as well as around) the city? I was scurred. No, I don't have a good reason for why the prospect was so terrifying, but I will simply say that before moving here, I had been on the subway ONCE in my many visits to NY, and that one time? It was with my high school choir, so the directors and chaperones were in charge: I just had to follow. Suddenly having to take the reins and learn what I always imagined was a convoluted and confusing system was an intimidating thought!

But hey, I'm living proof that it's possible: if I can do it, I guarantee you can.

Don't get me wrong, I don't KNOW every subway line inside and out, nor have I even ridden every line at this point in my living here. But the mere thought of taking a new line or going to a new place no longer causes me paralyzing anxiety. So here are some tips, tricks, and bits of advice to help make the subway system your friend.

It's Not Just You

Do NOT fool yourself into thinking that you are the only one not sure where you're going. Here's a secret: people that have lived in the city for years still have to rely on Google Maps to get to new places (I know, crazy). I promise, with time and with experience, you will learn the general routes of the various lines. So until you're comfy -- even if it means your eyes are glued to the virtual path laid out on your phone going to a location you've already been to countless times before -- don't apologize for it! Flaunt your navigation prowess!

Accept the Need for a Backup Plan

No, I know, this one sucks for all my fellow planners and must-stick-to-the-routine friends. This one I still struggle with, but you have to know that it's an inevitable part of using public transit. So maybe you don't take an alternative route all the time (or ever, I'm with you), but always do what you can to have a backup plan in your back pocket on the off (but very real) chance that a line is down or your usual method is simply not an option.

Download Transit Apps

I cannot stress enough how crucial it is that you download and utilize the apps for any and all forms of transportation you use. They will be SO invaluable when planning your day as they give you (mostly, cough cough) minute-by-minute updates about the lines that are down, that are delayed, that are not making their usual stops, etc. You have noooooo idea how many times I've been saved from sitting in the freezing cold, knowing that my train would be arriving at my station late before leaving the house.

Ask for Help

All else fails and you're just not sure what to do, there is no shame in asking for help. Read that again. Transit workers are more than willing to help, and there are also kind strangers out there! I can feel your panic from here (trust me, I understand), but it beats getting hopelessly lost or stressing about finding your way when you have a time limit.

Plan Ahead to the Best of Your Ability

Speaking of having a time limit -- while you DON'T have somewhere to be, that's the time to plan your path and virtually walk through every step and every transfer. Do not wait until the morning of! Come back to revisit the plan multiple times, even! The more often you read through the steps, the more confident you will feel, really truly.

Just Do It

Thank you, Shia LeBeouf. Last but certainly not least, know that the very first time you're taking a new line -- or even stepping onto the subway, period -- is going to cause a little (or a lottle) anxiety, regardless of how much planning you do. But you will survive and you will come out the other side, for better or for worse. The more times you ride a line and/or expand your comfort zone, the more mundane it will become. That's when you know you've officially joined the ranks of the New Yorkers, when you can call the subway mundane!

Have any other tips or tricks to surviving NY public transit? Leave them in the comments (goodness knows I will always take advice on the topic)!

Thanks for reading, #DreamTeamHLJ, and don't miss your train!