Broke Quote by Meghan Daum
“A lot of the reason I left New York, in addition to being so broke, was that I just felt I was becoming provincial in that way that only New Yorkers are. My points of reference were really insular. They were insular in that fantastic New York way, but they didn't go much beyond that. I didn't have any sense of class and geography, because the economy of New York is so specific. So I definitely had access and exposure to a huge variety of people that I wouldn't have had if I'd stayed in New York - much more so in Nebraska even than in L.A.”
About This Quote
The author left New York because its insular culture limited her worldview; moving elsewhere broadened her exposure to diverse people and perspectives.
In simple terms: Leaving NY broadened her horizons.
Key Takeaway
Geographic change can expand social and cultural awareness.
Themes
urban vs. rural
personal growth
cultural exposure
Mood
thoughtful
nostalgic
Type
personal essay
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- relocation decisions
- college moves
- career changes
Key Concepts
social insularity
class perception
Practical Applications
- seek environments that challenge existing assumptions
Questions to Reflect On
- How does environment shape identity?
- What factors make a place feel insular?
A Different Perspective
New York’s diversity can also be expansive; the claim may overgeneralize.
![“I feel that I'm an essayist and that my best work gets done in that form. I wanted to do a book where the essays could exist on their own terms. A book that was neither a book of essays that were shoehorned into a memoir, nor [one where] the essays had been published elsewhere first, [because]…” quote by Meghan Daum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/107/meghan-daum-18332_bears_i-feel-that-i-m-an-essayist-and-that-my_1054935.jpg)
