People vs. Places: My Experience with Urban Living

by AmyDolores

Satisfaction isn’t where you are. It took me thousands of dollars worth of rent and several years to realize that joy isn’t sourced through living in a beautiful location with infinite ability to explore and spend lots more money and say you did this or that. I know that (to a lot of people) this is a really satiating experience. I won’t glide past the glorious aspects of living in an urban setting just because of my overall disappointment in it.There are many moments where I look at my life through a rose colored lens and I can’t believe I live somewhere so magnificent, rich and vivacious. But those are moments. Daily life is still daily life. The sun climbing the sky and splinters of light slipping through the skyscrapers on my walk into work – that is breathtaking – but I’m still walking to work…

The city makes me feel smaller and lonelier and so extrinsic in value that almost nothing feels sacred. Being with people, sharing real conversations- peppered with humor but steeped in truth – those are the moments that bring me peace and happiness. Thinking back to travelling abroad – my favorite locations were the ones where I had great company. It is never where you are as much as who you are with.