Yes...its true, NYC is a fun, amazing, energetic and vibrant city. In many ways, it is the cultural and artistic epicenter of the world. You would think that with all the opportunities that the city has to offer, dancers would always have something on their plates to keep them occupied and busy. But here's the reality...unless you are being pro-active, seeking out these opportunities and experiences, getting your face out there at auditions, going to class, "the city" doesn't care whether you leave your apartment, get out of bed, or quit and move back home. NYC isn't going to come to your door and ask you if everything is going OK, how it can help you acheive your dancer dreams, or how it can make things easier for you. Lets just say that when it comes to dancers, NYC doesn't have the best customer service reputation. But it's the biggest love-hate relationship you will ever face. I can't tell you how many times I have dragged my tired feet/body/mind home and felt like NYC just chewed me up and spit me out...and then you get up and do it all over again the next day. Under these circumstances, it is easy to see why lots of dancers would rather just curl up under the covers and stay in bed all day. Donald Trump said, "Going through tough times is a wonderful thing, and everyone should try it. Once." What's interesting about this, is that he doesn't specify how long these "tough times" may be. In other words, you may be struggling in NYC for a year and a half before you book something and things turn out OK. In the meantime, trust me when I say you will have learned such valuable lessons about yourself, others, and life in general. These are lessons that money CANNOT BUY. And as hard as it is to see the "value" in being broke and having nothing but hope and dreams keeping you afloat, in the end, all the deposits you have made into the investment of your life will pay off. And don't worry, these are the rules of life, which apply to everyone, no one is exempt. The most you can do, is try to minimize the amount of hardship that you subject yourself to by preparing, making smart decisions before you get to the city, hit the ground running, having realistic expectations as far as the possible timeframe, being very objective about your skill level, staying positive in the thick of it, and refusing to ever throw in the towel and give up. The things I just mentioned are the only areas you have any control over. Anything outside of that is beyond your realm of influence and it makes no sense to stress about it. Keep your head up, cuz no one else is gonna do it for you!!
"This is the blessing of humankind, what separates us from the animals: to dream."
Hugh Hefner
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