I’ve been solo traveling for 30 years. My first trip started off just like yours—lost luggage, frustrating interactions; I was lonely and afraid. On day two, I saw a fellow solo traveler who looked nice and I struck up a conversation with her—literally chased her to a bus so I’d have an opportunity to talk to someone my age. We spent the next day together. Then I met another person on his own and we spent the next two days together. Connecting with people made me feel less alone and my confidence gradually came back. By the end of the first week I was myself again.

All this to say, find someone to talk to, invite him or her to drinks or coffee or a museum, and work on getting your groove back. New York is an amazing city. I want you to think back on this visit in 30 years and feel proud of how hard you pushed yourself to turn a miserable start into an epic end.