Humans of New Ro

“I think the theme for me has always been curiosity.

It’s what’s kept me going through life. When I was younger, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. There were a lot of uncertainties, but I always had an interest in different things and was willing to explore them, even if I had to do it on my own. That’s something I’ve learned over time: if you have to do something by yourself, that shouldn’t stop you. It’s about being independent and not creating unnecessary limits for yourself.

I grew up in a time when kids were outside all day. We didn’t have phones or endless distractions, so we found entertainment with each other. We’d knock on doors, explore the neighborhood, and stay out until it got dark.

Now that I’m older, I still explore my interests, I go to events, see live music, and talk to people wherever I go. I think a lot of people struggle with that now, just starting conversations or engaging with others who think differently.

I’m currently reading Who Moved My Cheese?, a popular business book. Another book I really like is The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt. It talks about how people have grown too afraid of ideas or topics that make them uncomfortable. I think that’s dangerous. We have to engage with people who don’t think like us.

What worries me is that many young people, especially when it comes to socializing or dating, avoid in-person connections. They’d rather meet someone online than talk face-to-face. Some even meet in person first and then try to find each other on an app afterward. It shows how afraid people have become of simple rejection.

But rejection isn’t the end of the world. People can say yes or no--it’s fine. What matters is being willing to try, to talk, to experience. I think we all need to push our own boundaries a little more, stop holding ourselves back, and actually live the experiences we want to have.”

--New Rochelle Resident