City tips for introverts: 1) blackout curtains. Both because the constant light can be a bit much and because sometimes you just need to feel like you’re more alone 2) find your comfort spots. Whether it’s a bookstore, coffee shop, specific park, or public building, look for the places you vibe with and feel recharged by. Try and find some that are close by, and some that require a bit of a trip so that you have options depending on what you need 3) in the absence of a comfort spot find places where you can just be anonymous. Places where nobody cares or bothers you when you go about your business 4) figure out what your city tolerance and plan day trips/weekends out of the city based on how much you can handle. 5) look for the little oddities and curiosities that only happen in cities. It can help you find the beauty in a place

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

thank you SO MUCH for this, would never have thought about a few of these - very excited for some cool day trips in the future!

@BooksandSympathy

2 жыл бұрын

@@emmiereads I’m so glad this is helpful! For day trips you might want to look at Hamilton. There are lots of walking trails, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and tons of waterfalls. There’s even a place called Donut Monster that does amazing vegan donuts. I hope your move goes smoothly!

@shambhav9534

2 жыл бұрын

That's kinda overkill.

@yezzuur

2 жыл бұрын

@@shambhav9534 let people enjoy things lol

I’m an introvert and I live in NYC. The larger the city, the easier it is to escape into yourself and your own inner life. I’ve lived in NYC 13 years (I’m from a small town) and would never live anywhere else. You would be surprised how many introverts are in large cities. You may also find a lot of love for and interest in The Odd Woman and the City by Vivian Gornick. I recommend this book to anyone moving to a city for the first time. Best to you, Emma.

@eliezeraltshul8550

2 жыл бұрын

A book I would recommend for falling in with the idea of a city is Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino.

@jmsl910

2 жыл бұрын

i couldn't agree more!!! when i moved from NYC to chicago, i was like "where are all the people?!!" i'm very introverted & i love me the anonymity of big cities. click-my-heels- twice 💕

@duyguacar2504

2 жыл бұрын

​@@eliezeraltshul8550 i read if a traveller on a winter night a few months ago. it was awesome. i bought invisible cities too and i hope to read it soon.

@cchelsea.y1

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! This is also my favourite thing about cities. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other. In the city I can just exist with little judgement.

@AngeleSiam22

2 жыл бұрын

This is so true! I'm living in Paris (and I'm from countryside) and feeling exactly the same. I'm feeling at ' home ' because I can so easily escape and feeling very blessed for that

Omg Emmie your little carpet monster is getting so big! I love seeing him get more comfortable and confident ☺️ also I’ve never ready any of Murakamis books but I love hearing your insight on his thought process

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

he's so curious and opening up so much, it's so wonderful to watch his personality emerge:') ooh if you ever pick up any of his novels I cannot wait to see what you think!

@parul6658

2 жыл бұрын

I will be reading After Dark by Murakami this month .... It is my first book of murakami !! 💙 and I love your orange fur ball 😍😍

@moonchild3916

2 жыл бұрын

@@parul6658 oh i read after dark recently and it really had a huge impact on my life i hope u enjoy it too!!

Hi Emma! I've been living in Toronto for about 10 years now, so far. We're the same age and same level of introversion (I think ), and honestly, I don't go out as much as others in my age group. The most I do is find huge cozy parks like Edwards Gardens, High Park, etc., and visit BMV, a fantastic second-hand bookstore, and Indigo, of course. One thing you may enjoy about Toronto is Museum life. I highly recommend the Art Gallery of Ontario and Aga Khan Museum, and there are some Klimt and Van Gogh exhibitions from time to time. I recommend exploring Dundas, Queen, and Yonge street for little shops of antiques and plants. I usually go by myself with a book in hand to find a small cafe near these streets after University classes. -Who knows, maybe one day we'll run into each other at an Indigo or a BMV store :) I hope your move goes smoothly!

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

ah writing all of these down, thank you so much! I'm so excited about the museums and ah that would be so nice:')

@emana3704

2 жыл бұрын

@@emmiereads i absolutely second the bmv! i go there almost every week, and it’s always fun to just browse. there are also so many other cool bookstores in toronto! i also recommend walking trails!

@violetlilith

2 жыл бұрын

I echo all this, I'm from Montreal but I try to visit Toronto multiple times a year because I love it. I'm very much an introvert as well but I love having the option of going out and seeing all the life going on in bigger cities and like @SaraBookpedia already mentioned there are so many nice parks and public areas to chill and read. Oh and yes BMV rules!

@roxier.138

2 жыл бұрын

I also live in Toronto! I hope we bump into each other, Emma :) Personally, my favourite place in Toronto is Reyna on King right above Distillery District. It is the coziest, most wholesome and well-decorated little nook of a bar you'll ever see.

@itsa_peanut

2 жыл бұрын

The Art Gallery of Ontario also has free passes for people under 25!

Just do whatever Murakami's unnamed characters do when they live in big cities: go get ramen, go to the movies over and over, walk around the parks, go to the bars, jazz clubs, go search for weird Sheep, etc etc. lol

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

fall down a well, enter a parallel world, just casual things🤷🏻‍♀️

I'm so excited for your big move (even if you aren't)! I am an introvert living in a city, but I have grown to love it. The sounds of the city are actually quite comforting to me, knowing that there's always someone awake. You have so much more available to you in the city! At least here in the states. Which means book stores that aren't chains, small niche shops, family owned restaurants. Nature is of course pretty lackluster, but it allows me to appreciate nature even more. I hope that you grow to love Toronto!

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

that's so nice to hear, and yesss the food in Toronto when we visited was much better and very excited for all the book stores! thank you so much

@kimbarbeaureads

2 жыл бұрын

I think if you find a few happy places, like perhaps a small park, a favorite little book shop, a library, a tea shop, etc. it will make big city living more tolerable.

Speaking as an anxious introvert who LOVES cities, you can always ALWAYS find quiet places where the city doesn't feel so big. Make your apartment your safe haven and take advantage of quiet cute coffee shops and bookstores! And what I love most about cities is how many interesting people live there!! All I have to do is go outside and I could see someone and learn something new about humans.

Oh my! New apartment coming soon! 🏡 🎉 cannot wait to get into Murakami one day. Hey eevee! 🐶 Hey calcifer! 🐈

So I'm an introvert who used to live in Shanghai, I went from growing up in the countryside straight to a mega city and I loved it! I'm totally a city person. I'm so interested in people and just looking at them. I also loved that when I wanted to socialise it was easy. I loved the community of neighbours and shop workers that I had, a way closer community than in the country unexpectedly. A city is an organism and I loved learning its ways, how it moved and breathed, and being a part of it all. I felt so alive and connected there! I hope you come to love Toronto too

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

I do love people watching so that's definitely something I'm looking forward to, I'd love to write something in Toronto too, I feel like it's the perfect place for inspiration! your words are so gorgeous, thank you for this

@rachaeldiviney712

2 жыл бұрын

@@emmiereads thank you so much, that means a lot coming from you as I love the way you speak and express yourself

As an introvert who used to live in Manhattan, I say there’s a comfortable loneliness in being in a big city. It’s one of those things where there are so many people that you are protected of people paying attention to you.

As a fellow London Ont. native introvert who moved to a big city (not Toronto, but comparable), I'd say take trips to nature as much as you can!! The Toronto Islands are lovely in the summer (and winter!) and are a much needed break from the city 💜 and if you can, check out the royal botanical gardens just outside Hamilton (it's about an hour out on the GO bus but VERY much worth it!!), they're absolutely stunning, and a wonderful day trip to bring a book on!! Best of luck on your move!!

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

awe hi!!! thank you so much for the tips - I've been to the islands and they are lovely so I'm excited for them and ooh the gardens sound so lovely, thank you so much !

@VanessaButtino

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the Toronto Islands are beautiful!

What I love about living in a big city is that you can be anonymous and still surrounded by people. It can be so freeing to not have anyone know who you are and what you’re doing. I feel like I can be more individualistic this way. I have always been a nature-freedom person and not a concrete-road-freedom but I still feel free in the city. Living together with so many people makes you really feel the possibilities and vastness of human life. Sometimes I like to go to crowded areas and muse about what kind of life everyone there has. Sometimes being alone and looking at the night sky is what you need but sometimes you also need to feel that no matter when you are awake there is always gonna be someone awake with you. Also there is always gonna be a group of people you share an interest with, no matter how obscure there’s always gonna be a buddy for you in the city. Not to mention that everything is just so much more accessible shops, classes, clubs etc for everything in close proximity.

@jmsl910

2 жыл бұрын

exactly.

I moved to the U.S. from Argentina and as a fellow introvert what allowed me to not be scared to jump into the unknown was to remind myself that most people are nice. We often don’t even put ourselves out there because we are scared of rejection, but I promise that most people are kind and even fun to talk to so don’t be afraid to just talk to random strangers hahaha. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck in Toronto!🥰

That's a great playlist! Love your videos, Emma, and good luck with all you've got going on!

I’m a Toronto gal that hates living in the city, and what I’ve found really helps is finding your small corners of the city to make your own. I used to live proper downtown (spadina and queen) and found a residential street I could detour down to get home, and that moment of quiet was really special. Toronto is also a place that you can go out on your own and no one looks sideways. I also recommend the Ronscesvalles/ High Park neighbourhood; there’s more little libraries than I can even count, and so many small businesses and good people. And the park itself is a real escape from the city, with so many paths and wildlife

@francescathomas3502

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. High Park in Toronto is very much like Central Park in NYC - a large green area, great for introverts, with cities on either side!!

omg that's a big change! i can totally understand what you mean about big cities. i grew up on a small island with a total of ca. 5000 people, and then i moved to the second biggest city (bergen) in norway... the biggest change was the fact that no matter where you go, there's ALWAYS people around. but you do get used to it! and it's kinda nice to be able to walk down the street knowing that the chance of running into someone you know is minuscule. that gave me a sense of freedom i had never felt before, having grown up in such a small town. my best tip would be to find your favorite spots and go as often as you can and want to! even in big cities, there are places that feel cozy and peaceful. sometimes, it's even more special to find a serene place in the hustle and bustle of a big city. maybe see this as an opportunity to try something new and perhaps a little scary. it could end up being a very precious time in your life! sometimes the best moments happen outside of your comfort zone. also, know that you're not alone in this. i applied to universities this spring, and might end up moving to a whole new part of the country that i've never been to before (tromsø, norway), in just a month. if that's the university i get accepted to, i have no idea where i'm gonna live or how the helllll i'm gonna get myself and all my stuff there (it's VERRRRRY far away) and that's absolutely terrifying! but also a little exciting and a great opportunity to experience something new!! "be curious, not judgemental"

I’ve been checking my phone all morning for this notification, we’ve been blessed! 💕 I’m so excited to hear your take on murakamis novel, and calcifer is so adorable!!

yes! I love Murakami with all my heart he is a great writer! also your editing style is so beautiful and calming, I love watching your videos

The thing I love about living in a big city is people watching. Like sitting on your own in a café, with your own music playing and watching the people around you. Imagining their lives. Also - I'd imagine there're quite a lot of literary talks, books festivals etc in a city like Toronto!

Oh Emma, I've got you with the city thing! I am a total small town, rural Ontario girl living in downtown Ottawa, so I know exactly what you're feeling. I won't lie to you, it can be tough, especially when my mental health isn't great, but being around nature, even just small patches of it, really helps (especially the bodies of water--I find that they help to drown out the noise of the city when I'm feeling overwhelmed). Don't let this scare you though; living in the city can be absolutely wonderful. I am utterly in love with the multiculturalism and the variety of experiences that are at my fingertips. There are so many places to explore, especially with the excess of public transit, so it's hard to get bored. It'll also be so fun for you to have a whole new range of book stores and libraries and cafes to discover (city cafes are the best--they all have their own unique atmosphere and are all so beautiful in their own way). I completely understand your anxiety but I think that you'll have some truly marvelous experiences in Toronto. I'm so excited for you and your partner! I hope this helps :)

It’s strange how happy your vlogs make me. I recently moved from one state to another about 15 hours away from friends and family. And it’s definitely been a transition and I haven’t had the best time making friends. I love watching you grow up just as I am and hear you talk about books. It makes me feel like I have a friend here. I wish you the best of luck, I know it’ll be hard but growing and bettering yourself makes it all worth it.

I love your kitty! Big cities!!! I love visiting different libraries, tea/coffee shops, book stores, and reading books set in the city...visiting different neighborhoods...there are so much diversity in the city that expands your knowledge of others.

I’m introverted and I’ve lived in big cities all my life (I was born in a city with 1,5 million population and now I live in a megacity with 12 million people). I honestly love big city life. There are so many things to do, so many things to see, so many people to meet. I think big cities are good for both introverts and extroverts as they can offer so many things. Don’t be afraid :) being a KZreadr, you actually have a lot of people from all over the world who can help you.

This is so exciting! I grew up in a small mountain town in Colorado, but now I live in Atlanta, Georgia and it's been so amazing! I thought I would never like the city, but it seems like something that is just part of growing up. What I love about it is the diversity and the energy -- there's always so many fun events and things going on, so much to explore, and there's communities for everyone and everything. Whatever your interests, there is a place for you. We never get bored and we're constantly trying new things. You will really love it!

Best wishes on your move, Emmie! I just finished binge watching all your videos and it would not be an exaggeration to say that you are the reason why I started reading again!

Such a wonderful vlog! And good luck on your move! I live in Toronto and as an introvert who loves to read, I can wholeheartedly say that the increased number of bookstores that are not indigo is one of the best parts of living in the city (next to the huge variety of restaurants of course!)! It can def be a little scary at first but no doubt you will grow accustomed to it over time. Also as someone has mentioned before, there are a lot of nature areas and parks that you can still explore throughout the city that makes it a nice balance of hints of rural living:)

I was on my way to watch one of your old videos when I got a notification for this one, made me so happy 🤗❤️

@duyguacar2504

2 жыл бұрын

i was watching one of her old videos too. what a coincidence 🤩

making a murakami playlist is such a good idea, i'd stop and listen to music he mentioned (in 1Q84 especially) but never kept track across books - can you post the playlist?

@cheraudrey8896

2 жыл бұрын

can you mention some other songs that he mentioned in his books? i can send you a playlist on the songs he mentioned in hear the wind sing & pinball 1973

@vaibhavi.singh.

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/head/PLGmkgsyqHhGdjS6RrCGk-hqoC4dksQIMt Kafka on the shore

@vaibhavi.singh.

2 жыл бұрын

Found the 1Q84 one kzread.info/head/PLp9wuxhiq1Icdb76lDBE_3UiqX1ClFUH1

@vaibhavi.singh.

2 жыл бұрын

And this channel has some amazing ones kzread.info/dash/bejne/gYml1KWknrO6npM.html

@JohaCCova

2 жыл бұрын

​@@cheraudrey8896 You can find some of the jazz track he mention in Tokyuo Blues or 1Q84 in this channel kzread.info/dash/bejne/ioR_0rF7d9bVf9Y.html

Awwww, bestie! I'm so happy that you're gonna move to a new city! It's honestly one of the rewarding things you can do in life (unless you hate the city, but then you can always move again). It can really expand your view of the world and build your personality even more. I grew up and used to live in this really small German village until I was 19, which is when I moved to Hamburg, the 2nd biggest city in Germany. Don't get me wrong, the big city can be overwhelming for sure, but it also just has so much to explore. I've lived there for almost 6 years now and I still feel like I only know 30-40% of the city. Also, there's just so many more possibilities. I can just go to a nearby comic book shop or a neat bar or a really cool Ramen Restaurant. All of that would never have been able in my small town back then. So I just love the variety of the big city life. I think you might learn to like it as well, in time

Two things: 1) I agree with everyone else’s advice. I’m an introvert in Portland, OR and I am so much happier than when I lived in a small town in Appalachia. I wanted to add one more piece: Apply for a plot at a nearby community garden! You will feel like you’re bringing nature back to a dead space. I have one in Portland and it completely satiates my cottage core addiction 2) From experience as a lit student, profs who don’t give constructive feedback on paper are usually willing to give it during office hours when you can actually have a conversation about it. Email them and set something up!

@Tams1978

Жыл бұрын

Have you been to Powell’s yet? It’s a huge bookstore that covers an entire city block. I used to live in Portland until I was 8 and occasionally get to go back. 😊

i love my big city! I’m a nature lover too but i found at least in my city- there are gorgeous gardens, parks, and woods speckled throughout the city and it doesn’t ever feel like I’m missing out tbh, everything you need is so close. Wishing you happiness and peace with this move

Calcifer - the carpet monster - absolutely love him!

My favourite thing about living in the city is watching people, just sitting in the park or a cafe and watching all the different people coming by. I also love to go on long walks to find hidden spots, to find rooftops where you can watch the sunset and the sunrise to find small cafes and art galleries and quiet places.

Hello Emmie! I've been following you for almost a year now and this is the first time i'm commenting. You asked about love letter about what we like in big cities- it reminded me of a little something i wrote a few years back about my experience in living in Tokyo, where i moved for my studies (i'm from France!) And so i wanted to share it with you, because this text (which is part of a bigger story) is like a love letter i've written. Hope you might see this little comment and enjoy! Thank you for sharing your videos with us :) My love letter to Tokyo: "Tokyo is already dark but still full of life, and the well-known Shibuya crossing is buzzing. The advertisement screens all over the high buildings surrounding the area perform for the umpteenth time their colorful videos, and japanese words and songs flow through the frenetic air. It's a cacophony of sounds that is overwhelming at first, but became home to her pretty quickly. Shibuya isn't the prettiest borough of Tokyo, but it's one of the little windows from where the world sees the intriguing capital. It's funny to realize that what is her everyday life can be a far away and dreamed place for someone else at the other end of the world. For years, this place has been her dream, too. It's one of those nights she takes the extra care to be more attuned to what's around her, takes the extra second to truly sees each details of the streets. The way they wait at the crossing for it to turn green, the way the mass of people submerges the asphalt when it finally does. Some tourists have their phone high in the air to record a glimpse of the impressive yet usual crowd. How can someone crave to live in such a place, where there's so many people it's nothing close to feeling intimate, more like she's drowning in the ocean? At first, she asked herself this. And then she realized it doesn't matter that Tokyo holds so many people. It's part of its charm. Tokyo welcomed her with the same way it welcomes everyone: with the jingle of each Yamanote station, with the conditioned air in the convenience stores, with the river who plays hide and seek and suddenly reveals herself a few streets away from the busy roads. She just had to notice it all, and put a part of her heart in each detail, to get accustomed to the city and carve herself her own seat, like she choses a seat on the train when she goes to campus. She yearned so much to be in this place, and sometimes she wonders how she can like it more and more everyday, now that she's there. It's just a city, it's just another country, another language. And yet, even if France definitely feels like home, Japan does, too."

Ahh, I’m definitely sending well wishes on your big move!! Also I just started reading Norwegian Wood (my first Murakami!) after hearing you talk about him in some past videos and I’ve been absolutely loving the vibe his writing brings 🥰

I'm sending you good vibes on your moving adventures, Emma. I am an HSP and introvert and come from a small hillbilly U.S. town. I moved to Warsaw, Poland when I was your age. I had never used public transportation before nevermind jumping on and off trams in a big crowded city hearing no English. I can tell you to lean into your art. I'm a photographer, so I hide behind the camera. I explored the city with the lens as my excuse. I could be alone and channel my anxiety through my interpretations of what I was seeing via photographs. It definitely got me through. Since literature is your art, definitely write about everything you experience. Lean into it, always hold a book like a safety blanket and find your quiet spots to recharge from the bustle of the city. You got this! 💖

Hi Emmie. I love your videos, they ease my spirit so much. Recently I've ended a long relationship and it's been hard, but watching your vlogs makes my mind go to better places. I'm from Brazil and recently moved to a big city too. Sometimes it's hard, but there's a lot of new things, places and people you can meet. Please, enjoy this new phase of your life. Calcifer is lovely

It's so cool and interesting that you're talking a lot about murakami in this video while i'm reading for him for the very first time right now.. i'm reading Kafka on the shore .. and i am enjoying it so much so far and you are making me so excited to read more of his books

Omg, Emma, this is going to be an amazing experience for you, I’m sure of it! So happy for you! New challenges are good, and that’s definitely a big boss, but you can handle it, and you’ve got us to support you, don’t forget that :D Calcifer is so extremely adorable, I love seeing him on the videos 🥺 I really hope we can meet one day, you give me so much peace and inspiration, I think you are amazing! Hope Toronto treats you well ❤️

Emma i really missed watching your videos!!! I had exams and uni stuff, and i finally finished my last exam a couple of days ago.. i am so happy i can watch you again. I kept putting your videos on my "watch later" list and now i have to watch them all i am so excited

Hey Emmie, Torontonian (and introverted book lover) here. I know coming here can be stressful, but there are a lot of things from the city you can absorb and benefit from. Toronto Public Library is one of the best I’ve experienced (and I’ve been to many cities across the world). There are plenty of quiet spots (parks, cafes, etc) where you can park yourself, absorb humanity, but still seek the solitude you need to be creative. Speaking of which, the multiplicity of people to meet from across the world truly is inspiring, and I say this as a naturalized Canadian who came from abroad and has lived in many cosmopolitan cities-the pluralist ethos of Toronto is still there and acts like a microcosm of the world. I’d love to give recommendations of places you may love in future videos. To start for bookstores I recommend: Type Books, BMV, Balfour Books, Ben McNally’s, and of course the Bay/Bloor Indigo

Oooh I should've guessed it when I saw your new bookshelf tour! You filmed one just before moving from your last apartment too.

Hey Emma! I’ve always enjoyed watching your videos(in the shadows *sweats nervously*) but first time reaching out to you! I’m also moving(from Alberta to Ontario) next month for school and IM SO NERVOUS lol. I still have a month before I move but I’m already suuupper anxious. I’m also in the same boat as you, having no friends or relatives in a huge city. I hope your journey of moving and settling down in a new place goes well, and hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy some nature at your new place

as someone who was born and raised in one city, then moved to another (that I also didn't want to move to), getting to find the local bookstores, cafes, shops, family owned businesses is so fun, learning where the best parks are away from the cars, knowing that when you sleep the world outside is still bustling and people are around (that's always given me comfort), access to public transportation, etc. I'm sure it'll take a while to grow into the city, but I'm wishing you luck!

I live in Toronto, am deeply introverted and this is one of my favorite places to live. I tend to stay clear of the downtown core and spend my time in the diverse divisions like Greektown, Little Portugal, Koreatown, etc. What brought me here is the vastness and incredibly high level of the strong and supportive music community, but what keeps me here is the food, the art and the beautiful people. I think you'll like it here

What i usually love about cities is that there’s lots of things to do, you don’t necessarily have to do them, but they are there if you want them. The museums, the different cafes, the bookstores and stores to browse, people watching, the diversity of people (in cultures, ideas, origins…etc) are a few of my favorite things that make me happy and keep me company when I’m feeling lonely💌🌱🦢☕️🎞

Best of luck with your move! I was in a situation not long ago, my finally year of uni online in the city I grew up in. Moving somewhere new will offer you so much invaluable growth. Also- yesss Murakami always makes me want a cold beer/Asian food! Wind Up Bird Chronicle would always make me want like a beer and to take a nap on the couch LOL

I also recently moved to a city I never expected to live in because of my partner! We were both born and raised in the GTA but moved to Vancouver for him to go to grad school. It was definitely scary since all my family and friends are still in Ontario but after being in lockdown forever it was exciting to go somewhere new. Here in Vancouver we have a cozy apartment with a cat and we're fairly close to nature which is super important to me! I lived alone in Toronto for 5 years while I was in uni, I'm a big introvert too so it could get a bit lonely living by myself, but the city has so much to offer! I lived right by Union Station (actual concrete hell, but great for transit) and my favourite nature escapes were Coronation Park, Trillium Park, High Park, and Toronto Island.

gonna grab a snack and watch this it's emma!! Day made!! ❤❤❤

Reading After Dark this month also took me out of the largest reading slump! I quickly ordered Kafka on the Shore, Sputnik Sweetheart, and Norwegian Wood! Murakami has my heart! 🤍

I'm an introvert that lives in Vancouver and I honestly could not be happier to live in a big(ish) city! I moved here about 12 years ago and never want to live anywhere else. I love the anonymity of it, and there's always something going on that I'm excited to do. Best of luck with your move Emmie, and hope Toronto is all you could hope for!

Love Calcifer’s energy 🥺 my tips for being an introvert in a big city is finding walking trails. Luckily for me, my city was a 30 min drive from a large Forest. Me and my partner would stop off and grab coffee on the way, then go on long 2 hour walks. It’s how we would spend every weekend. Find the areas the ground you, because living constantly in the hustle and bustle can be draining. Also, don’t shy away from the city. Honestly, I do think sometimes it’s not about what you’re doing but who you’re doing it with. Me and my friends would typically go out on weeknights (not as busy), but would still enjoy the city centre just the 4 of us. Sometimes we would go out for a cocktail and end up finding a quiet pub that was doing a random Thursday night karaoke. Finding like minded introverts to enjoy a busy place with is bliss!

As an introvert who just moved to Toronto, the whole downtown area is still pretty overwhelming to me. Grateful for this video so I can look at the comments and note down what to do in the city. Best of luck with moving!

love letter to cities- mostly just how walkable they are! i love how i don’t have to rely on cars and can make use of public transportation. It makes me feel more connected to my surroundings and it’s obviously better for the environment. I love how i can make day trips to the grocery store and feel like Mrs Dalloway going out to the market

Oh man a love letter to cities! I have to admit, I completely understand what you are going through. I am a deeply introverted person who needs nature to feel like myself. Everyone who knows me well cannot believe how long I've lived in Toronto (or that I moved here in the first place). Not only that, they don't believe how much I love it. Living in the city, for me, is all about mindset. There is noise, yes, and people and smells. But there is also so much beauty to be found. I see my life like a daily treasure hunt. No matter what block I am on, there are trees to be found, animals to marvel at, and the sky - I know it may not seem like it, but it's as endless here as anywhere. There is always the ability to look up and realize while you may be surrounded by concrete, you are every bit as part of nature as anywhere. The birds still sing here too. I love coffee shops and libraries and bookstores and let me tell you, there are so many here. There is nothing better for me than a coffee shop on a rainy day with a book in hand. I think people think a "city life" has to look a certain way. I grew up in the middle of nowhere and know I certainly had that notion moving here. But it doesn't have to be clubs or bars or patio season, or hustle and bustle. All those things can be great for lots of people, but there are also so many quiet places to read, museums to study, and again, coffee to be had. And parks! And finally, my favourite, most treasured place when I need a deep breath is Mount Pleasant Cemetery. You're so lucky to be moving near the water because I know that would be my number two! Have a wonderful move. I hope you enjoy city life for a little bit. It's by no means perfect, but having been a fan of yours for a while, I have every confidence you will find joy here 🥰

Hey, Emma! Best wishes for your move-I've always lived in a big city and I'm not the biggest fan of it, but I will say that you find comfort in the smaller things. Finding a great second-hand bookstore that smells like old book pages and has a floor that endearingly creaks with your every step, exploring the downtown area of a city at night and people-watching as you make your way through a bustling town square. Finding your favorite family-owned boba shop that you recommend to all your friends. Gazing out your apartment window close to midnight and witnessing the quiet miracle of two people falling in love on a lonely street bench. I don't know, I guess the beauty of a big city lies in finding the places that you can enjoy all on your lonesome, but also those places that you can enjoy in the midst of a huge crowd. P.S. Where is your watch from? It's so pretty!

@emmiereads

2 жыл бұрын

Okay this was such a beautiful comment, thank you for your words❤️and it’s from Nordgreen!

So excited for you to read Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World! Along with After Dark, it’s my favorite Murakami book. I think you’ll really enjoy the weirdness and the exploration of the mind - endlessly fascinating

Your kitty is so sweet!! He looks just like mine did at that age!! They are so fun at that stage!! Best wishes on the move!! My thought for surviving the city: find a spot whether a park or a cozy coffee shop or bookstore that you can just hang out and escape your walls. I’m lucky here in Portland, OR to have Forest Park and can walk miles of forest trails within the city.

Hi Emma!! I've been living in Toronto for 4 years, and I think one of my favourite things about the city is the abundance of Bookstores! One of the most popular is probably BMV, which I love, but extremely close to BMV on Bloor Street is another one called Seekers Books that has a lovely selection of used books and an Orange cat who lives in the store!!! I'd highly recommend going to both of these on a little bookstore hopping day :))

As a fellow intertovert, I have such a love-hate relationship with cities (I've grown up in Portland - a medium-sized one). I love how much variety of good food there is in cities (I'm guessing there might be an easier time finding Vegan food)! I love all the small business of all sorts (book stores, clothing, food, etc). I also really love access to trains and light rails etc as I hate driving!

Glad to see you happy with Calcifer. Just stop reading 1q84 to watch your vlog. To live in a big city can be great, you could find lots of things to do and more diversity among people, just don't forget to find small cozy places physical or in your head. Books are great for that so I think your going to do great!!!🤗

No matter what you put on your channel, I always watch you. Whether it is a vlog or a recommendation video or something else. I love the way you run your channel, I love your humor and the calmness in your voice. I think that you are extremely intelligent and I dream to be a good enough booktuber to meet you one day. I send you love and lots of hugs.

Oh lovely Emma, I’m 26 and have never moved out of my hometown so I can empathize with the anxiety. I do have to say, you’ve picked an incredible city as Toronto is my favorite place in the world. I normally visit at least once (hopefully more) times a year and the pandemic broke my heart by not allowing the travel, understandably. I am extremely extremely introverted and living in a suburb in Ohio my entire life there was still something about Toronto that truly captured me the first time I visited. I wanted to share some of the things I always have to do when I’m in the city in hopes that it can make you fall in love too. Firstly, the Toronto sign. I know it sounds dumb and silly but there’s something about the open area and beautiful surrounding buildings that always bring me such joy. Bringing some food and just sitting by the open fountain is such a lovely experience. Secondly, Dundas & Yonge square, which can be super overwhelming at first, but if you slowly walk down Yonge there are so many special places you can find. Lastly, my biggest piece of advice is truly immerse yourself in the many many incredible cultures represented in Toronto. Some of my favorites are ramen (there are many veg options), boba tea, Portuguese cuisine, attending a show, visiting Markham (I have a friend there!) and it’s beautiful authentic asian culture, authentic French breads, and so so many more. I was able to visit last week for the first time in 2.5 years and the love I feel for the city never leaves. I wish you nothing but the best exploring and enjoying your time. Maybe someday we’ll happen to run into each other and can discuss the beauties and perils of life. Although, I know you’ve already moved (I believe you were there the same week I was??) here’s to a wonderful new existence in a place full of majestic wonders. -Ashley

best of luck with your move!!! i’m from toronto (born and raised in scarb) and i def have a love-hate relationship with this city. one of my least favourite things abt the city is the ttc and my biggest tip for that is bringing earplugs and/or headphones. make sure to check out local cafes and bookstores! there’s some lovely indie ones on college west of spadina :)

Hi Emma, I've lived in Melbourne, Australia for a long time and I love the rural life. My family live rural and I had to move to the big city for employment. There isn't a lot of employment in the country towns. I am an introvert and a loner. Once you have your place and are settled in you find your parks, nature places and you become one with them. I love people watching, I love the cafes and being able to sit outside al fresco, at them and watch the world go by or read a book while I have a drink. Just listening to peoples voices. Sometimes you need that stimulation to assure yourself that you're not alone. I don't like making social but I like knowing the world is out there and around me. I love listening to the street noise and hearing the activity as people go about their thing! There is something alive about cities, the nights are amazing when the city lights light up the sky. The city is simply a vibe you just come to appreciate. How far away from your parents will you be? Will you still be able to visit often? This helps! If you can get home every now and again it helps with the craving for nature and home!

i am a murakami fan too. i read 12 books of him. i saw same 1q84 edition background of one of her videos. cant wait to read it and hear her thought about it as well.☺

I'm an introvert as well but love visiting Toronto, it always inspires me. The amount of cultures and different people you're exposed to is amazing and very eye opening. There are endless places to explore, both nature and shops/restaurants...including cool book stores and fun places to read! Definitely squeeze as much experiences as you can out of this while you can because it's lifechanging in many ways. Also public transportation is pretty good, you don't need to drive much which is good in the current moment. Some of the grocery is cheap too if you go to places like Spadina!

The instant pure joy and happiness just from a notification 🥹

Emma! Your introvert moving to big city because of partner fear really struck a chord with me. I similarly dreamed of moving to a little cottage in England (where I'm from), but my partner got a job in Kinshasa, capital of the DRC, and we moved here for his work. It's a city of 17 million and could not be more the opposite of the life I'd envisioned for myself! I've actually been super happy here though, and I think it's down to: 1. Having the attitude that I am adaptable and can find joy and happiness anywhere. 2. Alone time in the little world of my home- reading, writing, making videos etc. 3. Finding the things I love about being here. There are always things to love in cities. I'm about to move to London UK now, and am excited for theatre, bookshops, museums, coffee shops... You're going to have a wonderful time in Toronto, I'm sure of it! ☺ Excited to follow along for the journey

i was also 23 but i moved from nyc to the suburbs of the south. it was hard at first but i love living in a small town. i go back to nyc 2x a yr and i feel overwhelmed and drained. it will be a big change and adjustment, but we all need to get out of comfort zone and experience new places and things. Hope the transition goes smoothly for you.

Ahh I’m so excited for you! I go to university in Toronto (also going into my last year of my English Lit degree haha) and honestly love it! I am from a smaller city and while Toronto can be overwhelming, it’s a special place and there’s SO many amazing bookstores

Hi Emma! I've lived in a big city my entire life and although the constant activity and huge crowds can be overwhelming , as a fellow introvert i think you'll appreciate the anonymity that comes with it! I hope your move goes smoothly

I live in the biggest city in my country and I usually cope by bringing my headphones everywhere. It really comforts me to listen to music. I also make sure I have a few of my favourite places nearby where I can wind down, read and eat/drink something nice to cheer me up after a terrible or difficult day. What I love about the city is how many interesting things go on there. You can find art exhibitions, old bookstores, interesting coffee shops and fascinating people. At first it’s stressful but the commotion becomes a part of something larger and beautiful. I’m sure you’ll love it in Toronto, Emma!

I'm an introvert that lives in the biggest city of my country (moved there 4 years ago for university) and I assure you that big cities are the best thing. No one cares who you are or what you're doing, and you can avoid people super easily. I would never go back to living on a small town just because big cities give you a very nice anonimity.

Ok, so I’m incredibly introverted, grew up in a town of 65k and have now live in a city of 2.3m and honestly? I kind of love it. There’s something fun about living somewhere so big, I love getting to explore and I always get a bit of a thrill from discovering something new. I’m on a perpetual journey to find ‘the best’ of any given thing in my city (the best movie theater, the best ice cream place, the best book store, etc) and its really satisfying to stumble upon a new favorite. There’s also just so much to do! When musicians or shows go on tour they nearly always stop by where I live, there are so many museums and free events plus if I want to feed any new niche interest of mine I can always find a local community of people who are interested in it. Not to mention that cities always attract so many different types of people that you can really get to meet tons of interesting individuals plus it creates an environment that is- at least in my experience- significantly more open minded than in smalls town.

I've lived in a huge city for most of my life. Like with everything there are good points and bad but the thing that I love the most is that there is so much diversity. There are people from everywhere and they've brought their food, art, music, everything with them. It's so fun to discover things that I maybe wouldn't have had exposure to had I not lived with so many people. So I hope that you go out and discover things in your new city, eat some yummy food, see some beautiful art, dance to lovely music, and mostly have fun!

Hi Emma 👋🏻 I’m from a small town in Tennessee and moved to Miami 10 year ago. I would say what helped me the most (as an introvert and a reader) was to get a library card. Because I went there so frequently, I got to know the librarians and it’s a small way of feeling like you “belong”. There aren’t many bookstores where I live so that’s why the library was the second best thing 😅 find some small spots of nature if you can and a few other places that make you feel comfortable. That helped me the most when I moved. I hope your move goes well 💖

Honestly for my introverted ass moving to a big city has been the absolute best. I love the anonimity, I love the abudance of pleaces where I can just go sit and read by myself and not be disturbed, I love the millionth activities you can do on your own, from museums to courses of any kind and ofc people watching. I think cities can really save us introverts cause you can be on your own and still get external stimuli. On top of this I bet Toronto will offer you a whole new array of ways to experience your love for books through events, presentations, clubs and so on. I totally get why you feel conflincted, but the amazing thing about metropolitan cities is how they hold space for litterally everyone, so I have no doubt you'll find your little nook of peace in Toronto 💜

When I was younger I moved to Toronto from small town Ontario. I moved on my own. It was a wonderful experience for me being someone who loved culture and the arts. I spent all my 20s there and dived in to the experience. Markets, thrifting, books, art galleries, antiques, food from different cultues. Check out St. Lawrence market and the Sunday antique market on the Esplanade….still love, still go every so often. Toronto is wonderful for the young, so much to experience. I was pretty broke in my 20s but still found so much to do and experience in my budget. I have since moved back to a smaller city to raise a family, but still enjoy visiting old friends in Toronto.

I live in the de facto capital city of my country. I just happened to love being alone in super busy cafe or street or whatever. It’s a vibe and you’re gonna love it. When you’re alone in public, you’ll have this kind of time lapse of people around you moving so fast and you just watch it. It’s the best feeling and the greatest epiphany of living life. Good luck Emma

Hi Emma! I'm from a rural town in the middle of California and I moved to Orange County (one of the most populous, city places in the US) so my partner could go to school. I am also not a city person at all but we're making it work. I would say explore regularly until you find some spots you like (cafe, park, beach, anything), make sure you like your apartment and get yourself flowers or something?? I'm a big fan of flowers every couple weeks. As for making friends the more you get out and go to the same places the more you connect with people. Also look for events/meet ups that interest you and look for people there. The one cool thing about cities is there's no shortage of people 😂 when you spoke about feeling ok about your reasons for moving, but still being apprehensive about the city I felt that. SO HARD. It's a lot, especially if the move is motivated by your partner but it's gonna be good! Even in big cities there are quiet, cozy spots and you're gonna be figuring it all out with your person ☺️ (end rambling )

I hope your move goes smoothly! Toronto can be hectic and moving is a stress of it’s own but I wish you luck. I saw many comments recommending great streets and locations to visit in Toronto and I couldn’t disagree with them at all! I’ve been living here for a while and I’m pretty introverted but honestly I feel like it’s easy for introverted ppl, I rarely go out and when I do it’s not that bad to avoid crowds or ppl! Good luck!

hey emma! i live in a city too here in Greece maybe not as big as Toronto but the second biggest in the country and i'm an introvert as well! It's also my hometown so i've had a complicated relationship with it but with time i've grown to appreciate it more and more. I have found the places here that make me feel at peace, or picked out the things i love most about such as favourite cafes, or bookshops or food and when i don't love it as much I try to see it how an outsider would and what they would appreciate! A tip i could give is that if you want to avoid crowds and stuff like that just plan your day around it for example I don't go downtown at times when I know there will be a crowd or rush hour or something. anyway, i wish you the best for your move and I hope you have a beautiful summer as well!

Love letter to a city. I live in Paris. Besides finding pockets of nature that become your own, personal safe havens, the best part about city living is discovering news things every day. I highly recommend hopping on public transport to visit a new spot, museum, attraction, whatever, and walking home after. On your way home, you get to find hidden treasures, familiarize yourself with the city, and feel inspired by those small, magical moments of new discovery. Also, your home space becomes so much more meaningful and comfy when you get to come back home from a day of big-city-living. If you build yourself a cozy home full of stuff that brings you joy, you'll never feel overwhelmed by the occasional city-madness, because escaping it will be easy. :) it'll be swell

I’m 18 from suburban USA and just got back from studying and living in Incheon, South Korea! I’m also an introvert and what helped was creating little pockets of calm wherever I went. Having a constant like a book, tote bag, etc. with me everywhere and placing everything around where I sat helped me feel more calm. It will take some time to get used to the amount of people constantly walking but I think it becomes more of a comfort as time goes on. Finding cafés and boutiques near you to frequent and become a regular at is really great. It makes the area around you feel familiar and knowing the people that work at the store is so fun. It makes the city feel like an extended home. After going out, recharging with really comforting media and food (hot cocoa? :)) helps a lot and is so rewarding! I would also often pick up a little treat to enjoy once I got back home so I could sort of reflect on my day. Toronto will be so fun! So much to explore and become apart of in a way. I hope all of this made sense, I just woke up. (Also, I am currently beginning my bachelors degree in English Literature! Love your videos! :))

I've read hear the wind sing, pinball 1973, wild sheep chase and 1Q84 and i think at this point i can say that the only value murakami books add to you is basically finding out new and great music and having the chance to tell people that you've read murakami (this wont stop me from reading the rest of the books because i still can't get over the 'la raison d'etre' line in hear the wind sing and am hoping to read more lines like that)

Omg! I was just in Toronto yesterday visiting from Mexico 🤭 Canada is beautiful and I loved the city so much! It’s the cleanest city I’ve ever been in😂 Hope you go through this process safe and grateful that you get to live this new stage in your life💕 At the end of the day everything is an experience! 🍁

I’ve been in your shoes. I lived in one city my whole life and then moved to Toronto because my partner got a job there. Not going to lie, I didn’t love Toronto, but what helped me a lot was taking weekend trips and exploring around Toronto. There are tons of cute towns and nature. Go to Elora, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Algonquin, etc. You’ll love those.

You spoke about Murakami as if I was telling my friend what my thoughts are on his first novel, that was fun 😄 i've made After dark playlist (Murakami does have a good taste in music) and thank you for recommending the book on this channel, because I LOVED it. And good luck with your moving! 🧡

I just started this Murakami today, and it’s my first read by him. I’m excited to try this new author I’ve heard so many good reviews of. I also recently purchased Mrs Dalloway, another new author for me that I’m looking forward to starting. A few years ago I moved to Seattle after visiting only once. Now I’m back in NY but I miss Seattle every day. Although it was very overwhelming to be in such a busy area and it could be loud which was an adjustment. My advice would be to find places you look forward to visiting. Restaurants, coffee shops, parks, book stores. Places that you can feel comfortable and make feel home for yourself whenever you visit.

Love you, Emmie! You are my inspiration

I’m in Toronto as well!! Being near the lake is amazing, I definitely recommend Tommy Thompson park, it has a surprisingly diverse wildlife population considering it’s so urban. I moved here for a master’s program last year from a city similar in size to London and I was surprised at how much ease and peace I have been able to find while living here. There is also a free farm you can visit that is so close to downtown called Riverdale farm where you can visit sweet little piglets and goats and help in the garden💕 Definitely take advantage of the amazing museums we have here as well! The AGO is free for anyone under 25! There are sweet neighborhoods all around the city that feel quiet and cozy, you’ll find your space(:

Good luck Emma❤️ I like your vlog's so much 😘 and you're very very cute ❤️

I don't live in a city but I do go to them often along with wanting to go to a college in NYC. I think the best thing to remember is that people don't talk to you there if it isn't needed and having head phones in too most likely will also stop people from coming up to you. I recommend finding a comfort place that you can go to like a coffee shop, bookstore, or the lake. MOST importantly try your best to get involved with things of your interest so you can have people to talk to there:) hope moving goes well!!!

Yes, love Murakami! You definitely need to read A Wild Sheep Chase, as that follows on next in the rat trilogy and is one of the best. My all time favourite Murakami is Norwegian Wood though. Can't get enough of that book and was hanging off every sentence the first time I read it.

I moved to Toronto last year and it was a lot of changes but honestly it’s a great city with so much diversity and things to see/do ! There are great libraries too haha :) personally, i’m still managing the changes because i came from france but once you’ll be installed, i’m sure you’ll appreciate toronto ! (And as an introvert, it’s perfect! because yes there’s a lot of people but nobody pays attention to you, and with all the diversity people don’t judge at all which is great !!) I wish you all the best in this new adventure ;)

I live in one of my country’s bigger university city’s and the way I stared coping with it as an introvert was to find my favourite places and get super familiar with them. For me that was the bookstores, cafés and the library. And I just went to these places for weeks, almost everyday, to feel like yeah, I belong here too… this is my home as well. After that I started branching out more throughout the city and slowly but surely it became home and I felt like it was the right place for me… hope this might help ❤️ good luck with the move!!

I am an introvert and moved from Ottawa to Los Angeles (one of the biggest of the big cities!) at about your age (now 23 years ago - so about the half way point of my current life!) so I can relate to your apprehension about the big city although my move was completely my choice for my own work. The main advice I would give you is that a big city is just a lot of little cities put together and you can find little secret pockets of pure beauty within ALL of those little cities. Some of them feel like your own private discovery! I have found so many treasures in the middle of unknown parts of the city. I love nature too so I’m always looking for special little parks in the middle of new neighborhoods as well as cool buildings, bookstores, streets …. The exciting thing is that the amount of this discovery is almost endless!! So don’t worry - you will find your way in amongst the myriad of little/ big cities in Toronto! Good luck and I’m really looking forward to your blogs from a brand new place!

@jamesduggan7200

2 жыл бұрын

I'd say that's a pretty accurate description.

I just visited Toronto from the us this weekend. I absolutely loved it. Definitely my favorite city I’ve been to!

Eeve and Calcifer, what a great way to start this video 🥰 I enjoy Murakami's acid trips but not his way of writing women, not sure if I should keep reading him, cause it always makes me a little incensed 😵‍💫 What exciting news though! Big cities are great fun, there's always lots to do and a greater likelihood of meeting people you vibe with. I wish you the best on your move 💙