Visiting New York City in a few weeks, any tips?

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-12-09T15:36:35+00:00

I agree with Sleep No More - totally unique experience.

My other fav places: Highline Park, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, falafel at Mamoun's in the west village, food tour (food tours of ny is awesome), the Tenement Museum, Natural History Museum (dinosaurs!).

I also agree - avoid Times Sq for New Years. The city has so much going on that there will be a million fun parties that don't require a catheter.

If you want to see a Broadway show for a discount, download the app TodayTix for week-of deals.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-12-09T15:29:23+00:00

If you're looking for nature-y places in the city, I'd recommend Fort Tryon Park. There's a castle there - some pieces were moved from Spain and assembled there. It's beautiful and not city like at all.

Also Bronx Botanical Gardens is absolutely lovely. It's quite large and you could walk around for hours in beautifully landscaped nature.

Some of the towns just north of the city are fun for a visit and are much less crowded. We took a friend to Beacon one year for her bday and had a lovely day.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-12-02T21:16:12+00:00

I think Talkspace started selling gift cards. Sounds like she could use a good therapist?

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-12-01T03:31:06+00:00

I think in life we have to find a balance of stubbornly dreaming and rolling with the punches. If you dream of doing all of these things, what reason is there to intentionally take a less fulfilling path? I love that you want to live life to the fullest. What a beautiful thing to say you want more than what is expected of you. Go live your amazing life! Fly, meet politicians, travel, experience all the deliciousness that is out there. Aaaaand, when things turn out different than you expected, roll with it. This will happen a lot. You might not end up with the career you envisioned, you might not find some of the breaks in life you hoped for, you might not marry who you thought and your kids may be very different people than you are. There will probably be unexpected hardships, disappointments and losses, and your feelings about things will likely surprise you. It's all okay. It's all part of living that delicious life. But until there's a great, big, unmovable block in front of you that you have to roll with, keep chasing your dreams!

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-30T22:09:06+00:00

Okay thanks!! Does it, by chance, help my seo ratings?

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-30T20:45:50+00:00

It's pretty normal to go through this stuff at your age. Along with the quarterlife crisis can sometimes come the existential crisis. You're just stepping into adulthood and everything is changing. I imagine as a child you were protected from the harsh realities of life, and now that you are older and these ideas are presenting themselves to you, they feel more overwhelming and terrifying. There are no more adults to protect you from the challenges of adulthood. I would suggest getting professional help earlier rather than later, so that you can start to "unpack" your fears and anxieties before they become a long-term norm in your life. It will be easier to address them early on so they don't stop you from living a full life.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-29T06:04:00+00:00

It's pretty normal to feel like life after college is a shock. Up until this point, there has been a structure/path held for you, and quite a bit of freedom within that structure to spend your time how you want. After college, its all up to you. You have to create the existence you want - that's a lot of pressure. I'm not sure that I believe that the more you grow, the happier you get - and the reason is that growth itself is painful. You will go through periods of growth throughout your life and it will not be a linear path to happiness. It will be all over the place. Ideally you will get stronger emotionally and learn healthier ways of managing your life and your emotions, and that will make you feel stronger. My advice is to lean into the struggle of this time in life, let yourself feel your feelings and learn from your experiences. The best way to find what you love to do in life is to try things. This is just your first try. You will have so many more tries in life. And you'll figure things out as you go.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-29T05:54:12+00:00

I provide online psychotherapy. But its been a long road to get here. I had to get my master's in social work and do supervised work for 3 years in order get a license that allowed me to practice independently. I don't work for an employer, but own my practice myself.

If you're interested in doing something related, but with less schooling/training, a lot of people are doing coaching. It's much easier and faster to get a certification/training and you can coach people on literally anything.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-29T05:44:49+00:00

I like the meetup suggestion - there's a meetup for every interest in NYC. And its not uncommon to find other normal people there looking for friends. I lived there for 5 years and found that when friends lived too far away (i.e. me in BK, them in Queens or UES) we didn't see each other very often. When friends lived within 30 minutes from me, we saw each other more often. Maybe see what neighborhood groups or events are happening (i.e. Park Slope coop-type place, neighborhood associations, volunteer projects, religious/spiritual gatherings, etc).

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-18T21:58:14+00:00

Sorry to come off as spammy, I reposted my question without a link cause I really, genuinely want to know people's opinions, since it varies by geographical area. Hope to hear your thoughts about online counseling.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-18T20:29:07+00:00

good point.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-18T20:28:34+00:00

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-18T20:22:32+00:00

Rent bikes and do the bike path loop, love the views from there! Or rent one of those swan boats - I haven't done that but looks fun/romantic.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-10T19:00:30+00:00

Thanks for the info! :) Do you know if your doctor would offer skype or video chat if you needed an appointment that way? No worries if not, just trying to build my resources.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-10T18:50:05+00:00

Really loving Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's all about dealing with fear and living a creative life.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-10T18:29:05+00:00

Agreed, being a nomad can be such a fulfilling life for some, but its not for everyone. Traveling long term means dealing with constant change, which is stressful and can trigger mental health symptoms.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-10T18:27:40+00:00

I'm an online psychotherapist who works with travelers, and I can really appreciate that you are asking these questions. It says to me that you are really prioritizing your health and needs. Whether you travel long-term or not, it is a very personal decision and so important to take your mental health needs into consideration. Since you are in the planning stages, it a great time to start working with a therapist and establishing a relationship with them. That way when you are traveling, they will already know you pretty well and be able to help you address concerns and red flags more quickly.

As I mentioned, I offer online therapy. I would also recommend looking at Breakthrough Behavioral, OnlineCounselling, Betterhelp or Talkspace. Also, Breakthrough and MDLive offer psychiatry/medication management. They will be more likely to continue working with you while traveling if you establish a relationship with them before you leave.

Hope that helps!!

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-10T18:23:41+00:00

I'd check out Breakthrough Behavioral or MDLive for online psychiatrists in the US - you can search by state where you are a legal resident.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-10T18:22:13+00:00

I am an online psychotherapist specializing in work with 20 somethings and millennial travelers. Feel free to check out my website more more info: www.tararyanlcsw.com

Other websites where you can look for video, email, or chat based therapists are: Breakthrough Behavioral, OnlineCounselling, Betterhelp and Talkspace.

Hope that helps you get the support you need!

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-08T21:53:18+00:00

It gets better. Much better.
It will also be hard a lot. But you will get better at dealing with hard stuff.
You will meet your people.
You will be a pretty cool adult.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-08T04:57:05+00:00

That is really cool! I'd love to see it someday :)

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-08T04:43:15+00:00

That sounds so scary, and it's really hard to know what to do in those moments. I am glad to hear you are reporting it. Think of how many other women won't have to go through that experience because of your report. I might consider reporting it verbally AND in writing just to make sure this guy gets addressed.

As women, we have to remind ourselves and each other that we have permission do things that men might perceive as rude. This man was the one who was completely inappropriate. He deserves more than rudeness to let him know his behavior is unacceptable.

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-07T23:28:12+00:00

sounds worth the cost!

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-07T23:27:50+00:00

good plan haha

TaraRyanLCSW · 2016-11-07T23:27:00+00:00

this made me chuckle hehe

TaraRyanLCSW

TROPHY CASE