Life Update: My Move to New York, Failed Jobs, and What I Learned from Watching Her Lala’s YouTube Channel

Life Update: My Move to New York, Failed Jobs, and What I Learned from Watching Her Lala’s YouTube Channel

So, let’s talk about my move to New York. Yes, the big city, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of—and where apparently, wallets get crushed. Now, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but honestly, I had no idea how much I’d be biting off more than I could chew. Let me just say it: **I failed at like three jobs.** THREE! I wasn’t prepared for this city’s hustle and bustle, but then I discovered something that changed my perspective—**Her Lala on YouTube.**

Now, let me tell you about Lala. She’s *adorable*. Like, literally, I want her as my best friend. She’s got this way of blending humor with real-life advice, and let’s just say she’s got New York City figured out better than I ever could. Her videos are not only funny but super educational. And when I say educational, I mean, “pull out your notepad because she’s about to drop gems” type of educational. 

**Lala’s Life Lesson #1: You need to make $100,000 to live comfortably in New York.**   

Pause. **$100,000?!** Girl, I was barely pulling $50K when I moved here, and she’s telling me I need to be hitting six figures to survive? Sis had me questioning my entire life. I mean, was I destined to struggle forever, eating dollar pizza slices and pretending my $3.99 bagel was gourmet? Lala’s got it all figured out, though. She lives in a $3,000-a-month studio apartment in the heart of NYC and makes it look so effortless.

She talks about how if you don’t hit that six-figure mark, **New York will chew you up and spit you out faster than you can say “Times Square.”** And honey, she was NOT lying. Between my rent (which honestly could finance a small island) and the cost of groceries (I mean, why does an avocado cost $6?!), I was feeling the pressure. 

Here’s where I failed my first job. You see, I thought I could just "make it work." You know, *hustle hard* and all that jazz. But no, New York doesn’t care about your dreams if your paycheck is looking funny. My first gig? Gone in three months. Second one? Let’s just say it was a mutual “we’re parting ways.” The third job? Well, when your rent is due and you’re left with $5 for the week, it becomes clear real quick that Lala wasn’t kidding about needing that $100K cushion.

**But let’s talk about Lala’s advice for thriving in New York:**  

She dropped some serious knowledge that I wish I’d known before I moved. **First, budget like you’re broke, even if you aren’t** (clearly, I needed this one). She said that the key to making it in NYC isn’t just about making more money—it’s about keeping the money you do have. That means cooking at home, using public transportation (yep, those Ubers are killing your budget), and shopping sales like your life depends on it.

Her second piece of advice? **Networking is EVERYTHING.** I didn’t realize that in New York, who you know can be more important than what you know. Lala has a way of explaining how networking opens doors that you didn’t even know existed. She makes it sound easy, like, “Just go to that gallery event, chat it up with a stranger, and bam! You’re in!” But let me tell you—my awkward self at a social event? Yeah, not so smooth. But hey, I’m learning.

**Life in NYC is not for the faint of heart**, and Lala knows this all too well. She’s upfront about the challenges, but what I love is that she never makes you feel bad for not having it all together. Instead, she gives practical tips that feel like they’re coming from your best friend. And I have to admit, after binge-watching her videos, I’ve been more motivated to make this New York life work. I mean, if she can do it, why can’t I?

So, here’s my takeaway: **New York isn’t for everyone, but with the right mindset (and apparently, the right income), you can make it.** Am I there yet? Heck no. But thanks to Lala, I’ve got some hope and a game plan. 

And if you’re considering a move to the Big Apple? **Take Lala’s advice seriously.** Budget like a boss, build that network, and for the love of everything, aim for that six-figure salary. Because if you don’t, well, let’s just say New York will have you living out of a cardboard box before you know it.

Stay tuned for my next life update—hopefully, I’ll be telling you how I finally nailed job number four and I’m on my way to that $100K life. Until then, I’ll be watching more of Her Lala, laughing at her stories, and taking her advice like it’s gospel. Trust me, if you haven’t watched her yet, you’re missing out!

#NYCStruggles #HerLalaWisdom #LivingTheDreamInNYC