When my number one support for mental and emotional health turned out to be nature, but I lived in New York City, I found solace in parks and gardens.
While I lived in New York City my favorite thing to do was to spend my time walking around outside. Parks were a slice of heaven amongst the bustle of a city.
I was blessed after 2020 to have stretches of time where I was out of work, and available to spend weekdays walking through my favorite and iconic neighborhoods. All in all, I have spent countless hours meandering through Manhattan, pausing at park benches, and soaking up the beauty of it all.
Most of my strolls went through Central Park. I could easily find myself there for hours and it felt like only 30 minutes had passed. There is so much joy in Central Park. It is guaranteed. The birds are chirping, the squirrels are chasing, the people are dancing. Take a bike and loop around, you’ll see for yourself all of the ways this park is a backdrop and cultivator of joy for everyone.
In today’s blog post while reminiscing on fond memories, I’ll also share recommendations for visiting Central Park. A full list of my recommendations are pinned and saved in a google maps link at the bottom of this post. You can save this list to reference the next time you visit.
For a quiet moment I recommend the Ramble and Shakespeare’s Garden. I also recommend the pond on the most Northern side of Central Park called the Harlem Meer. From there, you are next to the most beautiful part of the park, the Conservatory Garden.
It is located on East 105th Street. The Conservatory Garden is a landscaped and beautifully maintained slice of something out of Versailles. The building across the street on 5th ave is home to a couple of Red Tailed Hawk nests. On the Southern side of the Conservatory Garden you’ll find the most peaceful spot in all of Manhattan. It’s this gorgeous koi pond with a fountain and a statue of a lady. She holds a birth bath. All around her birds flutter and chatter enjoying the splish splash.
For a connection to water while staying in Central Park, the reservoir is the best. Approaching from the East side you get the most magical sunsets. As the sun sets the buildings shift color and transform from grey, to orange, pink, to purple and blue, until all you see are the little dots of light where people are living or working. Specks of reminders of how many people you are surrounded by in that moment. Then your eyes move from the Upper West Side skyline to the reflection on the calm water. Somehow, concrete buildings look so beautiful and serene when blended with elements of Earth.
The key to maintaining a connection with Earth while living in New York City is to slow down and see with rose colored glasses.
It can be experienced with the little birds that chirp beneath your table where you eat a treat. Or the gust of wind that blows pink cherry blossom petals from a tree. It gathers on the street like confetti after a parade and dances across the concrete as cars pass. (True story, I have a video). The snow that covers the street and invites you to step outside and stick out your tongue to catch a flake. The trees that line Park Ave. Flower pots in midtown. Vines that hug brick apartment buildings on Irving Place. The list could go on.
I loved my days strolling through Manhattan. Countless moments of quiet awe. I lived my childhood dream. It felt like I was in a movie every day. However, my body slowly pushed me to leave. My head would get constant head fog, and the sounds and activity felt more overstimulating than the years prior. The side jobs I had acquired, while pursuing various iterations of a business in wellness, had become harder to maintain. I found myself getting burnt out of the toxic work environment after three or four months.
I’m grateful I got to experience this magical, chaotic, toxic, wild and beautiful place. I’m grateful I had the honor of experiencing it with fresh eyes, straight out of college. I’m grateful I had family to support me while I found my way the first few months of moving there in 2018.
I believe New York City is beautiful because of the way nature meets human creation. As simple as puffy clouds that float above skyscrapers. Even the rain adds a magical touch. It all adds a sparkle to the already magnificent and iconic architecture and design.
Eventually the shine fades. After 2020 I began to feel everything more intensely and I eventually left for good in 2023. It can be heartbreaking to say goodbye to something that once brought me so much joy and left my heart radiating. But our soul’s are on their own journey. Maybe I’ll be gifted a miracle be able to walk through Manhattan and enjoy it with fresh eyes again. I would love to be able to move amongst the car honks, sirens, and variety of people without losing sense of myself. To enjoy the excitement and have it fulfill me like it used to.
I know there is a whole lot of world to explore. I am ready to open the door and walk through into my next chapter.
xoxo
Erika
….
To save my google maps recommendations, click the links below and hit the +save button. When you are logged into your google account and open the maps app or website, there is an option to view your “saved” list and you will find it there.
Central Park Walking Guide for the flower lovers
Cherry Blossom Hotspots – Central Park
Thank you for reading and your support! If you feel inspired by what you read and want to help the blog grow, there are a few ways you can do so.
- Join the email list and receive monthly newsletters
- Share the publication with a friend, colleague, or your social platform (tag @erikajuliatorres on Instagram)
- Become a patron of the blog through a monthly donation
