Staying Positive in New York City

by chelsea
-
August 26, 2009

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I'm not going to lie to you, sometimes it can get difficult staying positive in a city that makes you feel like the size of a pea, where people bump up against you everywhere you go and honking is never ending background music. The madness CAN MAKE A PERSON A LITTLE SNARKY. Usually the week before rent is due I'm a total beast, the end of the month is a particularly negative state for me. Then there's the whole idea that being one of those "shiny happy people" can grate on people's nerves a bit, so you downplay positivity to be a "cool kid." There's nothing more irritating than when you're poor, heartbroken and fat and someone says, "Welp! When life gives you lemons, made lemonade!" So here's some lemonade.

When life gives you lemons:

We’re all thrown out fair share of lemons, sometimes figuratively speaking and sometimes we are literally pelted with lemons. Oh? You haven’t? Weird. There are various things that can send a person into “the dark place” let me warn you of a few common ones:

Your car breaks down
You’re running late
You get fired
Your boyfriend/girlfriend cheats on you
You get dumped. In public.
You’re overdrawn
DEBT
Your best friend is an asshole.
You need to get your wisdom teeth pulled, and you don’t have health insurance.
A red sock got in with the whites and now you look like cotton candy.
You’re out of coffee in the morning and you have a huge zit in the middle of your forehead
Your boss has halitosis
You’re wearing your fat pants, again.
It’s raining out. (I’ve never understood this one. I love rain.)
You just found out you’ve got The Herp.

Ok, the list could go on and on we all have our own version “what sucks” but I think the above list is universal…….

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Ed's Lobster Bar

222 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

Muddled Lemonade is the shizzzz….homemade, sugary and delicious.

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Sephora

119 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

You’re going to need some lip gloss to add to that scrumptious smile. My favorites: Lip Venom, for extra plumpness….the burn means it’s working. Laura Mercer, and Stila Lip Glaze.

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LIFE COACH TIME!

I think everyone should have a life coach. They’re like that really positive, encouraging parent you may have never had. They make you face your issues and take care of them. They give a diagnosis to your unhappiness much better than a therapist can. They’re the captain of your cheerleading team, rooting for you to pick yourself up, stop playing the “poor me”, victim game and WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES!

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Starbright Floral Design

149 West 28th Street, New York, NY 10001

There’s nothing better than adding light and color into your home if you need to brighten up. Giving flowers, receiving flowers, are both good ways of making someone smile.

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Throw out some of these quotes:

Next time Negative Nancy comes to town try slapping one of these quotes on her:

“Your altitude is determined by your attitude”
Anon.

“Trouble is only opportunity in
work clothes.”
Henry J. Kaiser

“If you’re already walking on
thin ice, you might as well dance.”
Gill Atkinson

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LEMONADE.

So you’ve got a few options on how to react in those types of situations, and since this is a guide on STAYING POSITIVE sometimes we can’t “sweat the small stuff” even if it doesn’t seem small….

Skip. Or take a cab, what’s the point in a car in NYC anyway? Fool.

Stop stressing, you’re already going to be late- stop and grab a bagel.

YIPPEE!! FREE DAY!

Thank God, your Mom thought your girlfriend looked like a stripper anyway.
Throw water in their face, you’ve already caused a scene plus you know you’ve always wanted to try that.
Oops?
Find new friends.
Did I give myself an open window to voice my political views?! Sure did! OBAMA! You may have Healthcare soon, if you vote right.
Pink is actually a GREAT color on you.
Try concealer and some crack instead.
Play a game and see how long you can go without breathing in his presence. Break a Guinness World record!
If you’re already fat have three cookies instead of one, live it up.
Stop being such a hater. Go skip in some puddles.
Now you can be in Valtrex commercial!

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Eight Mile Creek

240 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Ok, the drink I’m going to suggest is actually NOT a Lemon Drop but a KIWI MARTINI…..with lemon in it. Then when you’re all toasted and need to cool off, you can go the beer garden outside and COOL OFF, with more liquor. You’ll be all smiles.

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Lava Gina

116 Avenue Centre, New York, NY 10009

LEMON DROP SHOTS AND TAPASSSSSSS. I’ve had a hangover from the drinks at this place, it’s dark and there’s music so you feel all…..Sultry and invincible, until you cannot walk the next day because you were so schnokered.

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SMILE!

One of the main ingredients to positivity is, A SMILE. Whether you just need to lighten yourself, or you see someone who looks like they’re in their funk, “going through it” the best thing you can do is….give them a grin.
A lot of people are afraid of smiling, cause not everyone has the best grill. Sometimes its easier when someone looks at you to just glance away, instead of flashing them your pearly whites. So this week your mission (if you find yourself feeling funky) just, SAY CHEESE!!!!

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Madison Ave Tooth Whitening

654 Madison Ave #904 New York, Ny 10021

BRIGHT WHITE TEETH make any smile look better. Your teeth will look healthier and you’ll want to smile more often. Plus, if you lose power-you can be a human night light.

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Beach Bum Tanning

25 West 14, New York, NY 10011

Having a tan will really maximize you SHINY HAPPY LOOK. Your new white teeth will look even more shocking. Plus, Manhattan tends to make people really, really, pasty. If you’re pissed and pasty you look even more creepy and negative.

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Gluck Meditation Services

420 Lexington Ave #1653 New York, NY 11221

Try harnessing your chi. Release the dark energy and “breathe in the light.” Surrrrroooouuuung yourself with positive white, vibrations and good energy.

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The little things

Dont take them for granted. It’s hard not to, I know. I’m no sage. But taking the time to really be HAPPY about where you’re at in your life, who you are, what you HAVE is imperative if you want to lead a happy and fulfilled life. Don’t get too caught up, because after all life is transient, your situations are always changing, FLUID and fragile, so embrace it!!!

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Brooklyn Botanic Garden

1000 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a beautiful 52-acre area that has been in existence since 1910. Visitors to the garden will be awed by the 40 species 200 cherry tree esplanade, the 1,200 varying roses in the Cranford Rose Garden, and the ever-changing smells of the Fragrance Garden. This scenic escape... more »

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Child-like enthusiasm is yet another ingredient to the POSITIVE attitude. It’s easy to become surly, jaded and Debbie Downer, when you’ve lived life and had some hard knocks, children are still smiling and though it may be difficult, seeing things again with a sense of wonder and hope, like children- will help YOU stay positive.

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Discussions

: by karey_ann 08/26/2009 Reply

I think I’m just going to get a ton of Botox so no one can tell I’m unhappy until I suddenly scream at them, “Yeah, and what the f**k is it to you?”. No really, I just try to do a lot of yoga :).

: by michaeljon 06/14/2008 Reply

Loved it! Great guide!

: by jessica_h 06/13/2008 Reply

this icon is the best. I scary of her. (that is what my 4 yr old buddy says..I scary)

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About The Author

chelsea

Manhattan, New York

Writer. Coast Hopper. Perpetual Dreamer and Achiever. Student of life and Manhattan adventuress... And just in case you're wondering, gangsta rap made me do it.