I'm Gretchen Rubin and this is a little happier.

Years ago during college, I came to live in New York City for the first time for the summer.

I was super fortunate to room with my friend Jenny,

who had grown up, spent her whole childhood in New York City.

She had lots of great information and advice and tips for me,

and she really made it much easier for me to adjust to living in the big city.

She gave me a great suggestion that I continued to use to this day.

And when I forget it, I often regret it.

She told me,

when you get out of the subway,

always take a moment to orient yourself to North.

It's a weird thing about the subway.

You'll often think you know the right way to go,

and you'll only realize after a block or two that you're going the wrong way.

This is amazingly helpful advice.

I do not know why,

but there really is something true about the fact in New York City.

It's just very easy to charge off in the wrong direction,

in the completely confident and unfounded belief that I know where I'm going.

Just the other day,

I got off the subway in Williamsburg in Brooklyn,

and I expected that I wouldn't know exactly where I was,

...