Lately: New York edition

Wandering, wondering, pizza, and poetry.

It’s hardly 1 pm on a Thursday, and I’m writing to you from one of my favorite quintessential New York coffee shops, Devoción. Sunlight is streaming in, vibrant Colombian music playing in the background, and I’m sipping a mango, blackberry, peach, and lemongrass herbal tea. Around me: people on work calls, chatting with friends, tapping away on laptops, digging into pastries.

For the first time in a while, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

I’ve spent the past week trying to stay as present as possible. Sure, my mind drifts to the future—where will I be? What will I be doing?—but mostly, it’s been a soul-nourishing week (with another week to go). Long walks through Manhattan and Brooklyn. Cherry blossoms blooming on nearly every corner. Yoga on grey days, dinners that stretch late into the night, and ample time to myself, while feeling far from lonely.

I’m just really grateful to be here. It was a goal and hope of mine to get back to New York this spring, and I’m doing it. I don’t even care that it’s still a little cold (okay, a lot cold) at times. It’s slowing me down in a much-needed way.

What I’m craving:

• The cardamom buns from La Cabra Bakery—rich, chewy, perfectly spiced.

• Anything from Matchaful—their lattes with housemade milk are actually perfect.

• The pizza from L’Industrie in Williamsburg—after years of hearing about this place, I finally went. I enjoyed (okay, inhaled) each slice—see below—standing up, watching the world go by. This spot and Joe’s are officially my two NYC favorites.

What I’m reading:

• I’ve been on a bit of a book-bender this trip—falling back into that delicious rhythm of browsing, buying, reading, repeating. It started with a stop at The Strand on my first day here, where I spent over an hour flipping through poetry collections—Rupi Kaur, Cleo Wade, and others whose names I didn’t even recognize but whose words pulled me in immediately. Am I becoming a poetry girlie?

• I just started Talking at Night by Claire Daverley—it’s one of those tender, heartbreaking, beautifully written books that’s hard to put down. About life, young love, grief, and more.

• I’m also re-reading City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert, which felt appropriate given that I’m in New York and loving. every. second.

What I’m loving:

Small, everyday rituals that help me feel most like myself.

Journaling—either right after I wake up or just before bed—here are some prompts I’ve been working with, too, in case helpful:

• What feels aligned right now?

• If I let go of fear for just five minutes…

• What’s one tiny detail from today I never want to forget?

• If I trusted myself completely, what decision would I make today?

Some days, the answers come easily. On other days, it’s enough just to ask.

I’ve also been loving the quiet softness of this city in early spring: the sun peeking through the clouds in a warm yellow haze, and the contrast of walking through it all in the rain with this soundtrack playing through my headphones:

Mornings have looked like homemade breakfasts in bed (I’m staying in a studio, after all)—scrambled eggs, organic strawberries, granola, and an iced cold brew latte on the side. Afternoons, hot yoga at Modo. Evenings, long dinners with friends—some familiar, some new—where conversation flows easily between life, love, work, everything, and nothing.

Also, a little sweet treat to end the meal. Like a warmed chocolate chip cookie from Maman. And Tiramisu to top off an incredible dinner at Don Angie, shared with a good friend. Just because.

Mostly, I’ve just been feeling really grateful. To be here. To not be working. To give myself the space to slow down, to dream a little bigger, to consider what might come next. It feels like a true gift. And the best part? I’m feeling energized in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. This spaciousness—it’s working.

I’ll be back soon with more, but for now, I’m off to wander a little more, eat something delicious, and maybe pick up one more book I don’t technically need.

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Ciao for now,

Jess