nyc diaries | starting to move & talking about dating in nyc

Eep my last nyc vlog before moving out of my apartment and entering my ~leaseless~ era! Hope you enjoy this last week with me and some more vulnerable chats

my other socials:

MENTIONED:

0:00-3:03 let's catch up & my moving plans
3:04-3:45 roommate's goodbye party
3:46-5:40 healthy routines & fav haircare
5:41-7:24 the perfect spring nyc day
7:25-8:45 my acne journey & the eclipse!
9:24-14:33 my thoughts on dating for the *independent girls*
14:34-15:39 movie premiere
15:40-16:40 nyc is dreamy
16:41-18:46 yapping about going out & different stages of life

music -

[susandietz]

I’m 36yr and just started going out to listen/dance to house music till 5am. You need to do what makes you happy at any age.

[alliegjessee]

the dating talk was so relatable & refreshing to hear!! thank you for sharing & you’re very much not alone :) us hyper-independent girls need a support group 🤪😂

[jessieee_p]

Hi Elena, I've been watching your content for years and I'm really glad you talked about being an independent girlie but also wanting a relationship! I'm about to turn 30 and I grew up in a religious community, and when I moved abroad two years ago, I finally let myself experience different things and realised it's okay to be on my own timeline. It's taken me a long time to admit that I can be single and enjoy it, but also long for the comfort and safety of a partner. Being with/without someone doesn't automatically imply strength, it's your attitude in either situation & willingness to be open to what life offers! Sending you a hug as you move to Paris, another exciting chapter awaits <3

[cassiparulis]

you talking about reframing your dating thoughts and understanding its okay to want a partner and still value your independence did more for me than 5 years in therapy like GIRL!! thank u!!!

[annabutler]

I have been in a long term, very happy relationship for years now. But I relate a lot to being fiercely independent and it has actually been hard for me to adjust to having a partner while still wanting to be independent and pursue my dreams. He is fully supportive of me and doesn’t even try to hold me back at all—the adjustment has been about letting go of the idea that I need to be single to be powerful and independent. So it was actually very comforting from the relationship side to hear someone say that it is possible to be your own person while in a relationship :)

[healthfirstfreelancer]

I totally hear you on the dating scene and your talk at the end. It’s so easy to get caught up in what you “think” you should be doing or what you should have accomplished by X age. It’s all BS, do whatever you want, follow your intuition, find what makes you happy. And, take care of yourself! That’s definitely the big lesson I learned in my 20s, you are responsible for you now and that must be a priority. Sometimes that means dancing til 3 am, sometimes that means getting the extra sleep. You have to know what’s right for you. Rooting for you Elena! ❤

[kristen_mason]

whewwww this one RESONATED!! everything you said abt being a hyper-independent girlie and not really understanding how to hold space for that independence and also be vulnerable and rely on someone romantically!! What you said about equating different relationships to buckets hit so hard because I’ve been trying to figure out why I’ve felt so lonely even with lots of other fulfilling relationships in my life :) also totally feel seen on not really experiencing the “quintessential” early 20s experiences on the same timeline as friends
(or, more accurately, what i probably imagine my friend’s timeline to be?). I’ve been feeling in a bit of a rut— moved to NYC almost 2 years ago now and I feel like I’ve got a very settled routine and I can’t help but feel that the pace of the city moves so fast that I’m somehow being left behind by not doing EVERYTHING all the time. idk i’m just rambling now but if you read this thank you for listening & thank you for posting this video— it’s nice to know that i’m not alone in feeling these things 🤍

[robinb]

One of your best videos. Love it especially your thoughts on „grey area“ and choosing your own timeline 💕💕

[Arushh]

Deep down we all deserve a friend like Ashley🤞🏻💕

[aav]

Love love love! Loved the perspective of a "softer side" in dating while being independent and the ending message of "life is short, you can do what you want at any age!"

[ZrianFilms]

Really resonated with experiencing stages at different ages than usually expected. What a great video, I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on all of this!

[izziedavison]

Hey Len, I've watched your vlogs since your days at college and it is wonderful to experience these different seasons of life with you.
I'm 29 now and got married at 21. I live in the UK, in Gloucestershire (for the last 3 years I've been in a small town). I just want to thank you for sharing your life with us.
I sometimes feel unlucky that I fell in love so young because I missed out on these experiences. So thank you for sharing and showing a different perspective. Hope your move to Paris has gone well, I'm looking forward to watching the next chapter. x

[ozatanvi]

I still remember watching your NYC vlog during the COVID-19 pandemic, that's when I first discovered you on YouTube and became a fan. I've loved seeing you grow as a person and loved exploring NYC through your eyes. I'm excited for this new chapter in your life. Wishing you all the best 🙏❤ Sending lots of love!

[thischickkej]

Girl this came at the perfect time. I turned 25 in January and only a few weeks ago did something click and I finally realized that I'm hyper-independent and because of that, I feel like i've been in a more masculine energy for a good chunk of my life. Being in that masculine, intimidating energy has turned men off from talking to me I'm sure. I'm starting to be more feminine with clothes, nails, and a little makeup and I can honestly say it's been a gradual process but it feels nice to finally tap into that softer side and make myself more approachable.

[NapsugarB]

The topic of being a fiercly independent woman in her mid/late 20s, who has picked up her life and started afresh several times, and who is very capable on managing on her own, but at the same time figuring out that she may also want a loving relationship *really* hit home. Thank you for sharing your thoughts & experiences - it honestly makes me feel less alone, and more like we're going through this crazy journey together :) your videos feel like a sisterly hug so thank u thank u x

[hnnhml]

I love how honest you were here talking about such important and personal topics. very inspiring💛 and have a wonderful start in europeee I'm so excitied to see what's next for you 🤗

[aayamahdi]

hi i've been watching you for years and years and you never fail to inspire me!! you r the best elena <3

[prajakta]

i have been watching your videos since years and after a longg time you have posted this cutesy long vlogg with lots of talking and chatting and its so adorable and fun and it really made mee soo effin happy like i dunno kinda nostalgic in a fun wayy :) hehehee

[kimberlyclarkkc]

Thanks for sharing more on the relationship/dating front! Refreshing to hear!

[miamoudilou]

i love how you articulated and framed the grey area of the romantic resistance that comes with being an independent girl. I feel like I can totally connect with that, i totally think its based of the influence patriarchy and sexist beliefs of the past ... as men where once told to be independent and prioritize work over emotional connections. now that we woman have entered the work environment and culture that toxic correlation has polluted us also. this is all thoughts and i hope its clear that everything i wrote could be completely nuanced and grey as you said, i definitely think being"hyper independent" should NOT be considered bad shifted into a bad thing but rather there should be an understanding that when you feel safe in someone else the space can be open for support. (it just makes me feel worried that its a back track towards breaking sexist patterns to consider ourselves hyper independent because we want love as girls )i also grew up in a very religious enviroment and think it kind of straigned and restricted facets how i behaved in romantic affairs(granted I am only 18 ahhaha) but now that I am getting older I am able to make my own ethics on those morals and expand towards what make me happy, am so grateful for you sharing this aspect of your life so vunrably and it definitely allowed for me to have more clarity, i hope paris is loving you.