Living a full life in New York means getting used to its wild traffic, nonstop motion, and the constant rush. You have to let yourself be humbled by the movement and enormity of the city, giving way to the streets' motion and hum. The second you try to dictate the way the city moves, it swallows you.

I’ve lived here for quite a while, but my days still feel rushed. Between speeding pedestrians, freewheeling bikers, and the hum of storefronts and schoolhouses waking up, I have no choice but to float in the tide of the city. It’s a very similar feeling to finding yourself in the middle of the ocean.


Since I grew up in Hawaii, the ocean is a marker of nostalgia and a piece of my childhood. It’s where I find the most peace.

When I need a break from New York life, I can head out there to clear my mind and come back to life. The Atlantic roars and swells just 45 minutes away from my home. It’s either a quick train ride to the beach or a short car ride with my friends, our boards packed, and before long, I’m right back in my natural habitat. The ocean is a real comfort. It’s always there, always nostalgic, and calling me back whenever I need it.


I build surfboards for a living. It’s a bit ironic: shaping boards, a craft rooted in nature itself, while working in the depths of a concrete jungle. But somehow, in the midst of the honking cars and typical chaos, the ocean comes into sharper focus. I can feel it when I’m working on a board, imagining how its clean lines will cut through the water and drive down the line. When I’ve had enough of the suffocating smells and dust of the shop, I shut the power off, sweep up the mess, and run out the door to get back into motion.


Depending on the waves, I might go to the Rockaways or out to Long Island, where the city noise fades away. On the way, I stop at a bodega for a Yerba Madre, hand my deli guy some cash, chat for a moment, and head out. When I get to the beach, the city’s pressure disappears and only the ocean is there. Walking on the sand calms me right away, and after a few sips of Yerba, I’m ready to surf and make the session memorable.

When I’m working hard in my shop, covered in dust and surrounded by the smell of chemicals and the noise of traffic, I often think about a calm, quiet sea. The city and my work are always there for me—they’re part of my routine, and I need that balance. Life isn’t just about chasing the next big thing or job; it’s about finding balance so I can move with the city instead of fighting it. Living near the ocean lets me do that while still following my dreams here. New York and the ocean won’t slow down, but you can learn to move with them and find your own rhythm.