My Greatest Risk
Sometimes life hands you un cafecito and whispers, "Now or never." For me, that moment arrived on a sweltering Miami afternoon when, armed with nothing but a suitcase, a dream, and my grandmother’s well-worn advice— “El que no arriesga, no gana” (if you don’t risk, you don’t win)—I took the biggest leap of my life. I said goodbye to everything I knew and hopped on a plane to New York City. Spoiler: it was messy, exhilarating, and left me with a story worth telling. So grab a seat because this tale comes with laughter, vulnerability, and yes, a hearty sprinkle of drama.
The Leap of Faith
Let’s rewind to my early 20s. I was freshly out of undergrad and suffocating in humidity, routine, and well-meaning but relentless family inquiries like, “¿Y el novio, mija?” (Any boyfriends?). I was restless. Writing had always been my passion, but the opportunities I craved felt just out of reach in my hometown. While Miami was vibrant and buzzing, I longed for something more—something bigger, scarier, and, honestly, freezing.
When a friend casually mentioned an internship opening at a Spanish-language media outlet in New York, I froze. Sure, I had fantasized about the Big Apple, but just the thought of it made my stomach flip. Me? Alone in New York? The girl whose idea of wild was taking a different aficionado to salsa class on Friday nights?
Of course, I applied. And when they called to say, “Bienvenida aboard!” I danced salsa in my living room, then panicked for a week straight. Leaving behind my family (and consistent access to my abuela’s pastelitos) felt both thrilling and utterly terrifying. But as my grandma reminded me, “Las grandes historias no empiezan con miedo”—great stories don’t start with fear. So I booked a one-way ticket.
New York Reality Check
My first week in New York was straight out of a sitcom. Think: Fleabag meets Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but with more rice cookers involved. I moved into a shoebox studio where the radiator hissed like it had emotional issues. On day two, I confidently wore heels to work, only to spend the subway ride cursing gravity and reconsidering my life choices. And on day five, I got lost in midtown during a rainstorm, while a bagel I’d just bought endured its soggy demise in my tote. Welcome to NYC.
But I loved every second of it—or at least, I loved the person I felt I was becoming. The city forced me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. I learned how to network like a pro, pitch stories on deadline, and parallel park my personality between coworkers raised on New York’s hustle mentality. Interactions felt like an endless speed-dating event, where everyone asked the same question: “What’s your story?”
Lessons in Vulnerability
I’d like to say my desire to take risks only bloomed professionally, but in the spirit of authenticity, let’s talk about romance. After months of focusing on work, my friends convinced me to “loosen up” (their words, not mine). Naturally, I found myself crushing on someone who made my carefully constructed walls feel paper-thin.
He was as New York as a street pretzel: tough on the outside, warm on the inside. We met at a spoken-word poetry event—peak rom-com setup, I know—and somehow, in between metaphors and rhymes, my Cuban-American heart melted a little. He challenged me, not in loud, dramatic ways, but in the small, quiet moments that forced me to reveal parts of myself I had neatly tucked away.
But opening up didn’t come easy. Growing up in Little Havana, vulnerability wasn’t exactly a dinner table topic. Emotional conversations often ended with someone jokingly waving a guava pastelito saying, “Eat this and stop crying.” So allowing someone into the deeper parts of me felt riskier than moving across the country. What if he didn’t like who I was underneath? What if I didn’t like who I became around him?
The more time we spent together, the more I realized that we don’t grow when things are easy. True growth comes when we make peace with being uncomfortable. And just like that soggy bagel in my tote, some moments in life can feel like mistakes, but they’re part of the journey (and sometimes, they’re not mistakes at all). In the end, the relationship didn’t last, but the lessons did.
Why Taking Risks Matters
Looking back, my greatest risk wasn’t even New York—it was betting on myself. Growing up in a tight-knit immigrant community, I felt the weight of expectations. I often wondered if chasing my dreams made me selfish or ungrateful, like I was turning my back on generations of hard work and sacrifice. But with every fear I pushed through, I realized something: the bigger the leap, the louder the applause you can give yourself on the other side.
Here’s what taking risks taught me, and what I hope it inspires you to consider, too:
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You Can’t Script the Outcome
It’s human to crave guarantees, but life’s scariest moments remind us that uncertainty breeds opportunity. Whether it’s moving cities, starting a new chapter, or saying yes when your gut says no (hello, overpriced Manhattan apartments), you’ve got to embrace the unknown. -
Rejections Are Just Redirections
Was I scared my articles would flop or that I’d trip during a pitch meeting? Always. Did it occasionally happen? 100%. But failure isn’t proof that you’re not capable; it’s proof you’re in the ring, taking swings. -
Comfort Zones Are Cozy, But Growth Happens Elsewhere
Miami will always be my soul’s home, but stepping out of my bubble made me stronger and bolder. You can’t learn to salsa dance if you’re too scared to look ridiculous during the first few spins. -
Bet on Your Future Self
I didn’t know if I’d succeed in New York—or if the streets would be paved with hope or heartbreak. But (spoiler alert) I became a stronger, more resilient person because I gambled on the version of myself I wanted to meet down the line. She was worth the risk.
The Takeaway: Leap Anyway
Risk-taking is messy. Sometimes it shows up in grand gestures like packing up your life and starting over. Other times, it’s quieter—like letting someone into your heart or admitting you’re no longer the person you were six months ago. Either way, here’s the truth: life will delight in reminding you of its unpredictability. And maybe that’s the point.
So whatever leap you’ve been hesitating to take—whether it’s applying for that dream job, finally speaking your truth, or braving the first dance at your cousin’s wedding (pro-tip, don’t cha-cha before dessert)—know this: even if the leap feels terrifying now, it might end up leading to your greatest story yet.
As my grandma always says, “Los valientes son los que conquistan.” The brave are the ones who conquer. So go, be brave. You might surprise yourself at what’s waiting on the other side.
