Carolita Johnson on her many exits from—and returns to—NYC, most recently to care for her aging mother in Queens. An excerpt of Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving & Leaving NY.
Thanks for this. Makes me feel less alone. I fled New York (the city) for Long Island and Long Island for rural California. And got "priced out" everywhere. The fine spirit of Carolita is a pick-me-up! In England 50 years ago, a group of women working at a small press bought a house together, shared expenses, child-care, etc. and seemed to be making a go of it. My dream.
Ohhhh I love the idea of The Carolita! Since moving back to SF from New Zealand to care for my aging parents at the end of their lives, I've been doing my best to figure out something that makes it more possible for writers and artists to exist and practice in San Francisco. Clement Collective is my best attempt for now. But that's more a space to gather and create, rather than something residential, which really is the crux. Gears turning... Thanks always for your excellent writing, as well as this specific inspiration! <3
I can relate, although I’m sequestered in the wind swept plains of the Texas Panhandle, I’m a 51 year old post-evangelical, happily (intentionally) single, creative, and I too am striving to ‘live my best life’ independent of reliance on a man (or my adult children), and determined to live a life of meaning and artistic integrity in a financially decrepit margin of lower income vs high rent (although not quite so high as NYC, mercifully).
I’m a fledgling fan of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola-Estes and have only recently listened (many times, on repeat) to Women Who Run with the Wolves. This newness makes it very fresh and relevant to me, and I’m thankful for this gift. The Carolita is the beautiful kind of project and idea that she encourages us to nurture and cherish, and “sing over,” bringing it to life.
I’m SO HAPPY to hear this!! You made my week ❤️ (now I’m seeing the Baba Yaga everywhere ha). And YES — life changing. Your work has impacted me, as well. I am deeply grateful. What it’s cost you to give a part of yourself to the world matters, and from my perspective, it was worth it.
Hey Carolita! What a great read! Do you mind sharing the name of your cafe? I'm living in East Elmhurst and loving it, but there are never enough simpatico cafes out here to go around.
The cafe is long gone, a casualty of the pandemic! But if you like bitter, Starbucks kind of coffee, Rough Draft is a nice neighborhood place (too strong for me, tho) with a bookstore included and lots of seating, but not much food, and I go to Kingston Social on Fair Street when I’m in town lately, because their coffee is more mild, and it’s also a nice place, but a little more upscale than I’m accustomed to. I like a more scrappy kind of place. The thrift shop that replaced Outdated Cafe (where I used to work) still has some of their furniture and they’ve been trying to do coffee, so drop in there, too, for a slightly historical/nostalgic experience, they’re at 314 Wall Street. And I’ve heard there’s a new place, but you’ll have to ask around. I’m afraid Outdated was my Camelot, that one brief shining moment of glory.
Thanks for this. Makes me feel less alone. I fled New York (the city) for Long Island and Long Island for rural California. And got "priced out" everywhere. The fine spirit of Carolita is a pick-me-up! In England 50 years ago, a group of women working at a small press bought a house together, shared expenses, child-care, etc. and seemed to be making a go of it. My dream.
Ohhhh I love the idea of The Carolita! Since moving back to SF from New Zealand to care for my aging parents at the end of their lives, I've been doing my best to figure out something that makes it more possible for writers and artists to exist and practice in San Francisco. Clement Collective is my best attempt for now. But that's more a space to gather and create, rather than something residential, which really is the crux. Gears turning... Thanks always for your excellent writing, as well as this specific inspiration! <3
I can relate, although I’m sequestered in the wind swept plains of the Texas Panhandle, I’m a 51 year old post-evangelical, happily (intentionally) single, creative, and I too am striving to ‘live my best life’ independent of reliance on a man (or my adult children), and determined to live a life of meaning and artistic integrity in a financially decrepit margin of lower income vs high rent (although not quite so high as NYC, mercifully).
I’m a fledgling fan of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola-Estes and have only recently listened (many times, on repeat) to Women Who Run with the Wolves. This newness makes it very fresh and relevant to me, and I’m thankful for this gift. The Carolita is the beautiful kind of project and idea that she encourages us to nurture and cherish, and “sing over,” bringing it to life.
Thank you for writing and for sharing!!!
Yes, discovering Clarissa Pinkola-Estes was a life-changer for me! I’m always happy when someone else discovers her!
I’m SO HAPPY to hear this!! You made my week ❤️ (now I’m seeing the Baba Yaga everywhere ha). And YES — life changing. Your work has impacted me, as well. I am deeply grateful. What it’s cost you to give a part of yourself to the world matters, and from my perspective, it was worth it.
Hey Carolita! What a great read! Do you mind sharing the name of your cafe? I'm living in East Elmhurst and loving it, but there are never enough simpatico cafes out here to go around.
The cafe is long gone, a casualty of the pandemic! But if you like bitter, Starbucks kind of coffee, Rough Draft is a nice neighborhood place (too strong for me, tho) with a bookstore included and lots of seating, but not much food, and I go to Kingston Social on Fair Street when I’m in town lately, because their coffee is more mild, and it’s also a nice place, but a little more upscale than I’m accustomed to. I like a more scrappy kind of place. The thrift shop that replaced Outdated Cafe (where I used to work) still has some of their furniture and they’ve been trying to do coffee, so drop in there, too, for a slightly historical/nostalgic experience, they’re at 314 Wall Street. And I’ve heard there’s a new place, but you’ll have to ask around. I’m afraid Outdated was my Camelot, that one brief shining moment of glory.
That was great. I can totally identify with you! I’m from The Bronx, but we can be friends. ;)
LOL I’ve got nothing against the Bronx! :)
What a beautiful and enjoyable read.
I hope the Carolita will become a reality.
I agree! The Carolita needs to exist!
Hoo boy I can relate to so much of this!