turning 24 alone in nyc

[@stephranaway]

Hi friends!!! Just wanted to put out there that I recognize I’m complaining quite a bit in this video. I’m forever grateful for the many loving, caring people in my life, and I’m so so lucky to have the endless support of you guys. How I felt in this video was very much the birthday blues and probably a quarter-life crisis lol. And me feeling this way is 100% my responsibility and a result of my lack of effort to make friends! I hope I wasn’t too negative or dramatic in the vid, because the last thing I want to do is bring you guys down! Just wanted to document it for the memories and in case it helps even one person feel a little less lonely. Appreciate you guys so much! :)

[@treerius]

I'm in my twenties too, and it’s crazy how much I resonate with what you're saying! Finding that balance between adulting and still figuring things out is just life and we have to cope with that. PS: Happy Birthday🎂🎉 :)

[@stephranaway]

aw it’s so good to hear that others feel this way too! it’s a crazy time, but i’m sure we’ll figure it out :)

[@khpatil19]

A belated happy birthday! I'm here at UChicago too almost done with a Master's degree, also turning 24 next month and couldn't help but comment - nope, nothing dramatic at all here. I think it's really sweet how you're smiling throughout the vlog while being honest about how you feel. Spending your birthday alone like that sucks (the part where someone else was celebrating their birthday made me feel sad, but it also felt like this was episode 1 of a slice of life anime haha) - I hope you make a lot more friends in the city this year! It's quite the story you're documenting - finding a new job after pivoting to SWE, the unpaid internship, moving to NYC. It's the dream, it's the adventure that's just started and I'm hopeful to see what comes next in the story!

[@ajosh1026]

Happy b’day. You’re never alone if you’re the best friend you want for yourself. Also to those of you stressing over having your life in your 20s and 30s all figured out are crazy.

[@raishu6778]

happy birthday steph! im on my last year in college and an aspiring software engineer. getting old really be making us realize some stuff no? mostly because of adulting and figuring things out. i experience those too! your videos also helped me a lot on my work and being a better engineer. also, it's okay to be alone! hearing you say seeing people alone is cool, that made me feel im cool! that means you're cool too! i hope to see more of your journey steph!

[@stephranaway]

this is the sweetest thing ever🥹 thank you!!!💞 congrats on almost being done with college - that’s amazing! and it’s so exciting that you’re gonna be a software engineer!!! i def think it’s cool and it’s something i always notice when i’m out! you saying that about me really is so so sweet. thank you! and thanks for being here for the journey! it’s very all over the place and kinda messy but i’m forever grateful for you being here with me during it.😁💛

[@NH-hq7ly]

Happy 24th birthday! I just saw the video about your job hunting journey, and it gave me lots of inspiration. Thank you and I wish you luck!

[@noire.5573]

Happy birthday!! You're doing just fine and taking life a day at a time is important

[@laurendudgeon9491]

Hi Steph, I just recently found your videos and also turned 24 Monday. It's interesting to see we spent our birthdays relatively the same, with work, some loneliness, and worries. Having one year until my brain fully develops definitely replayed in my brain throughout the day. I admire your ability to work through all of this and to put it out there for the world to see that we're in this together. Just know most of us are also trying to learn to love our own company

[@stephranaway]

lauren you made me tear up🥹 happy belated birthday!!!!! thank you for this lovely message.🫶🏼 i guess this is how most 24th birthdays go, but it’s so comforting knowing that others are experiencing this too, so we really are in it together!! and thanks for the reminder - let’s both continue learning how to enjoy our own company:)) it’s awesome that you’re working towards this! i know you’ll move to nyc soon and accomplish all the amazing things you set out to do, i can feel it😤 and in the meantime, i’ll be cheering you on! you got this!! sending my best wishes over to you!💞

[@Remonade-]

I just started watching your channel but I find myself supporting you so much already 😭. I'm the same age as you and I resonate with what you say so much. From the whole job search to just your personality I can't help but root for you. Even though you feel others might be further ahead than you, you are still doing amazing for yourself and are further ahead than me 😂!! Hoping everything works out for you! Happy birthday!!!

[@stephranaway]

aw this is so sweet!!!!😭💞 it’s such a confusing time but we’re hanging in there.😤 and i just know that you’re doing amazing!!! it’s so hard to not compare but we’re trying our best and that’s what matters. thanks for the lovely message and for being here - wishing you all the best!!💛

[@aloomoomoo]

no you dont have to apologise at all steph i resonated with this video so much. thank you so much for being so honest and vulnerable.thank u for making me feel like i am not the only one experiencing this too.thank you and happy belated birthday queen.

[@shotatonari6807]

Happy Birthday! I stumbled upon this video while working in SF and have no regrets. It's admirable to see individuals open up and be vulnerable online. Your life seems so peaceful and beautiful.

[@andrecesarjr]

Hi Steph! Happy birthday! I just wanted to say that we usually think loneliness is bad, but sometimes it can be peaceful. I'll be turning 24 this November, and I've felt the way you describe at times. I’ve been following all your incredible growth and improvement-from getting a job to moving to NYC. We’re just humans learning how to live, and that’s okay. We’re all figuring it out. But eating alone, looking at the stars, and even bleeding remind us that we’re still alive, and that’s the beauty of life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us! :) P.S.: I don't think you're complaining at all. Your feelings are valid, and we've all felt that way at times! That's the main point KZbin; Broadcast Yourself!:)

[@stephranaway]

happy early birthday to you!!! i needed to hear this - thank you so much. :) i’m definitely still on the journey to learn how to enjoy my own company, so i really appreciate your reminder.💛 especially how doing things alone and enjoying the little moments are what makes us feel alive. (that was a fire statement btw, amazing🔥🤌) and haha i really appreciate you saying that!!! i sometimes get a bit nervous to post videos about the inner thoughts bc they can be kinda sad😭 but you’re so right. tysm again for the birthday wish and lovely reminder! wishing you all the best!!!💞

[@muhdmirzamz]

the happiest of birthdays to you Steph Ran!! i’ve been following your journey and i look forward to every vlog you post. you have such an amazing personality. i know it gets lonely but hang in there alright! thank you for this vlog :D

[@nyckmalta]

Happy birthday, Steph! I'm from Brazil and I really enjoy watching your videos. I spent my last birthday alone and I also felt very sad :( The feeling of time passing very quickly, of having to accomplish a thousand things and still create bonds is a little overwhelming, but it is comforting to know that we are not alone, that even far away we still have our dear friends and that it is necessary to live a day of each time.

[@astiksubudhi8276]

Hey Steph Ran, Happy Birthday, Many many happy returns of the day, keep chasing your dreams. Don't worry I'm with you.❤ You got ONE LIFE! So do whatever keeps you happy. ❤❤❤

[@moirachuuya]

belated happy birthday, steph! i look up to you a lot as a 2nd year student in uni, aspiring to break into the tech industry once I graduate, I wish you all the best! much love!! ♥

[@stephranaway]

aw thank you so much!!!💞 & congrats on finishing first year!! (that’s def the hardest year imo) it’s awesome that you’re into tech😎 best wishes with your studies, and keep me posted on how things are going!!:)) (btw love the kenma profile pic!!!😁)

[@jam62733]

I love your appreciation for the little things (pastries)! With a warm personality like yours I’m sure new friends are on the horizon :) Happy birthday! 🎂 🎉

[@stephranaway]

this is so sweet🥹💞😭 THANK YOU!!! hahah pastries are so yum, and there’s always something to appreciate!:)) thanks for being here!💛

[@ariannab8210]

Happy birthday Steph!!! Growing up as an only child I totally understand the feelings you mentioned in this video, but I promise that feeling this way is just a part of life that we all go through

[@stephranaway]

arianna this is so sweet thank you!!!🥹 it’s so awesome that you’ve adapted to the going out alone lifestyle - whenever i see people doing things solo i’m always like woah they’re so cool!😍 thank you for being here for me and for such a supportive message!!! wishing you all the best!!!💞💞💞

[@lertigamer6964]

I love your videos, Steph (: You are a likeable person Happy Birthday

[@olive0209]

Happy birthday 🎊🎁🎂 The way you feel is perfectly natural. I used to be so hard on myself for always being alone, but you get used to it as time goes and you’ll realize it’s not so bad . Just remember you still have friends and people that still think of you. Friends will come with time 😊

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!💞 i feel so validated🥹 yes - learning to enjoy your own company is very important and i’m sure it comes with time. appreciate you!💛

[@abcdefuck111]

you're a baddie steph, keep on pushing!

[@brians8886]

happy birthday! you shouldn't worry too much. it took me until i was 27 to find out i wanted to do SWE and 28 till i got my first SWE job so i started over. you're 4 years ahead so the future is bright.

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!! and that’s amazing. it’s really cool that you discovered what you wanted to do and went and did just that. have a lovely day!!!😁💛

[@_brillz]

Happy birthday steph🎇, wishing you all the good things your new age has to offer❤️🥹.

[@stephranaway]

THANK YOU!!!🥹💛

[@cherry_1425]

Happy Birthday Steph. 🎉🎉🎉 May all yours ideas comes to life. Love yaaa. Was waiting for your video

[@stephranaway]

thanks so much, & sorry to keep you waiting!!! have a beautiful friday💞

[@FidelisAkilan-nu6vm]

Happy birthday, Hope you have an amazing year!

[@stephranaway]

aw thank you so much!!!!💛💛💛

[@petripanic3875]

it's your party you can cry if you want to! also i definitely feel lonely at my new job too, especially since software engineers are predominantly male 😅 but i believe in us to make new friends

[@stephranaway]

thanks for this😭 hopefully some awesome tech girlies like urself show up at your job! i believe in us!!!💞

[@humanbeanbehindthescreen]

Happy Birthday, Steph!!! And thank you for sharing it with us!! 🎂

[@stephranaway]

aw thank you for being here!!!!💞💞💞

[@LaibaKhan-qn9sf]

Happy birthday Steph, may you have many many more 🎉🫂❤

[@stephranaway]

thank you🥹💞💛

[@paulodarbe9099]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH WISH U ALL THE BEST🎉🎉🎉

[@stephranaway]

THANK YOU!!!:))💛

[@x_o_xo_xoxo]

Happy birthday Steph🎉 I can feel you cuz I also recently moved in new city. You will be much better when you start job and meet coworkers. Sending you love from Seoul🩷

[@stephranaway]

thank you for the encouragement!!! hope your move went smoothly!💞 sending over all the best wishes from the states!😁💛

[@amisadhakal]

happyyy birthdayyy!!!!

[@patrickgamboa7270]

Happy birthday! Oh btw I'm a new subscriber so hope to follow your journey along! 😇

[@junlai1996]

Happy belated birthday! I love watching your vlogs. Wish you the best!

[@stephranaway]

i’m so glad:)) tysm!!! wishing you all the best💛💛💛

[@lailakhan7372]

Happy birthday 🎉 girly we love u and you are not alone

[@stephranaway]

aw thanks so much for being here!!!🥹💞😭💛

[@freddyzhounyc]

happy birthday!

[@stephranaway]

thanks freddy!!!😁

[@habilhussain3387]

Happy birthday! Came across your channel recently, and as soon as I saw the luffy poster I gave a follow!! 😂 love the content!

[@stephranaway]

thanks for being here!!!😁 wishing you the best, from one one piece fan to another😎🤝

[@habilhussain3387]

@@stephranaway 😁🏴‍☠️👑

[@santielewaut]

Happy Birthday Steph! It's ok to sometimes have some personal time! And pastry for bd🤝🏻

[@stephranaway]

yesss thanks for the reminder!!!😁💛 and oh yes, pastries are the best😤

[@linewalker4058]

Queen! You're celebrating with us!

[@stephranaway]

YES! ty for being here to celebrate with me!!!:))💞

[@thomas_shelby_london]

HAppy Birthday Steph!!

[@HairyBalls83]

Linux user ? haha

[@stephranaway]

THANK U!!!💛

[@balkiesbalqies]

happy birthday and i wish you have wonderful life

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!! same to you😁💛

[@francescovacca629]

Happy B day , you're the best

[@shanker4094]

Hi Steph, my long-distance friend! 😂 I love how real your videos are, showing both the highs and lows of life. Even when things get lonely, your positivity shines through. Wishing you the happiest birthday, and I hope your wishes come true! Your journey is so inspiring-good things take time, and you're doing amazing! Have a wonderful year ahead 🫶❤✨ 'In case it helps even one person feel a little less lonely'-your videos truly help make me feel a little less lonely, so thank you for that. I hope you never feel lonely yourself, you have us! 😂✨ As for your question (does anybody make the same wish every year), I don’t actually make wishes! 😂 I just feel grateful for what I have, and if something’s missing, I work on achieving it.

[@stephranaway]

i literally screenshotted this comment omg thank you for this, you’re too kind😭💞 and thank you so much for the encouragement - you have no idea how much it means to me!!! and i’m so glad i can help out a bit. :) ik times can be tough, but i’m there with you in spirit😤 and it’s very comforting to know that you’re with me too! also stop that’s so sweet what the heck!!! not making a wish and just feeling grateful… maybe i’ll start doing that too😁

[@mssimple6280]

Happy birthday steph 💞

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!💞💞💞

[@kriisifable]

Girl, I feel everything so much! I just found you recently but your videos and what you share really help me - also the complaining. It feels like we could have been friends if we would went to college together. Greetings from Germany and keep going! :))

[@stephranaway]

aww i’m so glad you’re here!!! hello from the states!😁 i’ve always wanted to visit germany! really glad i can help a bit:))

[@jamsmarq]

Hey, Steph! Belated Happy Birthday 🥳🎂🎉 and also greetings from the Philippines. I have followed you for quite a while now but this would be my first comment on your videos. May you will be well on your journey. 🎈🎉🎊

[@stephranaway]

aww thank you for being here!!!💞 hello from the states!:) thanks for the kind words - sending all my best wishes over to you!!!💛

[@user78978]

HBD to you I wish you a happy life!

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!! wishing you the same😁💛

[@balkiesbalqies]

you are strong so please donot be sad "+" i love you

[@stephranaway]

right back at u💞 thanks for being here!!!

[@alanrutherford5724]

Happy Birthday! (those dimples ... OMG)

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!💛 hahah just one lonely dimple (i wish i had another one to balance it out😭)

[@lyneydeservedbetter8473]

happy birthdayyyy!!!!!!

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!😁❤️

[@jay2kclips980]

happppppyyyyyyyy birthdayyyyyyyy

[@Ralore]

I appericate such a raw video happy birthday

[@stephranaway]

thank you😁💛

[@wrestlingshorts]

So girls do reveal their age , happy birthday Steph ✨

[@stephranaway]

hahaha yes, 24 this year💞✨ thank you!!!:)

[@lokiii1999]

Im 31 and I dont even have my sh*t figured out yet. Dont worry you’re not alone. Everyone has their own journey of self discovery. You’ll be fine 😊 Happy Birthday btw! 🎉

[@tomm8033]

Hey Steph, happy birthday. Love you vids, and GUESS WHATS FUNNIER THAN 24?

[@PreetkanwalSingh]

the video editing is so good

[@stephranaway]

aw thank you!!! def very much still a work in progress😅

[@minnaingkoko2796]

Happy Birthday! Everyone has their own problems but stay safe, don't give up and don't forget to smile and appreciate your life. I am from Myanmar and we currently dealing with civil war and I will be 23 in this december!

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!! needed this reminder - i can’t even imagine what you’re going through. happy very early birthday to you, and please stay safe!💛

[@tarun-d1t]

Belated happy birthday master chef 🎇

[@stephranaway]

thanks chef😤🫡

[@Nothing-z8h]

Happy birthday .May god bless you ❤🎉

[@stephranaway]

thank you:)) have a beautiful day!💛

[@yarikpanteleev]

Congrats on turning 24!🎉

[@stephranaway]

thanks!!!💛

[@_ketosucks1355]

We both share the same birthday month. awesome stuff. It is okay to eat alone, enjoy the moment.

[@stephranaway]

happy birth month to you! :))🥳 thanks for the reminder💛

[@kazami6317]

woohooo happy 24 laps around the sun! Fellow 24-year-old here and the feeling is the same. It seems like everyone is making great strides but in reality everyone has their daily challenges. Celebrating alone sucks but I'm sure you'll be surrounded by lots of supportive friends for your 25th lap! Don't mind the "complaining", just appreciate the honesty of how it sucks to be alone lol. Hope you had a good time with your parents!

[@tripphenning]

Happy Birthday!!!

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!:)💛

[@keanu_dude]

Hi Steph! HBD to youuuuuuu! I will turn 24 next month. Btw, I decided to go to grad school and I'm 2 months in my phd in cs. Every time when I watch your videos, I get the feeling that what my life would be if I went straight to industry. LOL :)))) LOVE YOUR VIDSSSSS. 💥

[@stephranaway]

happy early birthday!!!:)) that’s AWESOME!!! a phd in cs is no joke😭 you’ll be my reminder of what life would’ve been like if i went the phd route! thanks for being here, and best wishes!!💞

[@Aman-cw8rp]

Happy birthday to you 🎉

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!💛

[@unknow8133]

Happy birthday!

[@stephranaway]

thank u:))💛

[@deving7710]

happy belated!!

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!:)💛

[@kaitlinmckinley3894]

Hi Steph! I don’t think you’re being ungrateful lol. Being a young adult and adjusting to a new city and job alone is HARD. I’m sure you’ll start to find your new friend group then this transition in your life will fall into place. I made many changes that I hated at first but ended up loving in the end. Happy belated birthday!

[@stephranaway]

hi kaitlin!! thanks for this:)) it was incredibly reassuring to hear! it’s awesome that you ended up loving those changes! hoping i will too!!!🫶🏼💞

[@SB-qt8qj]

Happy birthday :)

[@pollypop1311]

Aww happy birthday ✨

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!😁💞🫶🏼

[@aloomoomoo]

i think i just found my favourite person on the internet

[@adrianford468]

Happy belated Birthday 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@MohammadrezaMohammadi-e6y]

Happy birthday:)🎉

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!😁💛

[@dewillia9943]

Happy birthday 🎉🎉🎉

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!!💛💛💛

[@ciscocode]

i see you from venezuela. happy birthday!

[@stephranaway]

hello from the states!!! thank you:)💞

[@devashishsingh4614]

happy happy happy

[@stephranaway]

thank u thank u thank u!💛

[@puffcottonball]

Happy Birthday! cute cake :)

[@stephranaway]

aw thanks!!!!:))💞

[@synful1806]

24 is your Kobe year, 25 is where the real pain starts T_T

[@asfasdfsd8476]

If you are alone doesn't mean you have to be lonely. If there is purpose in your life. Times were never easy. World has to keep spinning and young people like yourself are the main drivers. Some of productivity extraction methods are a bit coercive but this is what it is.

[@stephranaway]

thanks for this :) yeah productivity and hustle culture nowadays can be pretty detrimental… and you’re so right about there being a difference between being lonely and being alone. currently still trying to find my purpose! sending you all the best wishes!💛

[@ThendeloNaz]

agg my crush and inspiration🤭🤭

[@stephranaway]

💛💛💛

[@labradoodlesilver3756]

Yay first comment! Go Steph!

[@stephranaway]

HELLO!!!!

[@T.JahnaviJahnavi-d7e]

first of all belated happy birthday to our lovely cute cool girl😘steph🥳 coincidently i was too having a lil bite of cake when the moment came where you were blowing the candle.. you know what that means steph!! that means that you were 'not lonely on your birthday' instead you were with me on that day celebrating your birthday... maybe on a time travel!!😇😍and i really took a small vedio of that too🍰🤭

[@stephranaway]

aw this is so sweet🥹🥹🥹 thank you for being here!!! i hope you enjoyed your cake♥️😁 my next bite of cake will taste a bit sweeter now knowing you were there with me before!

[@famanias]

happy birthday

[@stephranaway]

thank you!💛

[@studyac8944]

Hey ! Happy Birthday 🎉 , I know it's too late 😕 Love from India 😃🌹🎉✨

[@Brahemym]

HBD

[@Voice_My]

Happy birthday! do you like mustard?

[@viper_draws_9217]

Happy birthday and lots of love from Pakistan 💝

[@stephranaway]

thank you!!! sending love over to you from the states!💞

[@Ta7-2]

Hbd🎉🎉 oct 2

[@stephranaway]

thank you😁💛

[@dhruval6127]

wish you happy birthday and love from india

[@stephranaway]

thank you😁💛 sending you love from the states!

[@Reirawrrr]

I’m not even a minute into the video, so forgive me if i just reiterate thoughts you figure out yourself, there’s just something I wanted to point out. Twenty four is still very, very young girly, and I say this as someone a whole seven years younger than you lol. Your brain isn’t even done developing until you’re twenty five, so realistically until your cortex develops all the way (which is usually at 25) you’re still floating around in the awkward transitioning into adulthood. It’s completely okay and normal not to have it ‘figured out’, and realistically, most people don’t actually have it figured out! Life-and your early twenties-is trial and error, I firmly believe there’s never any ‘figuring it out’. Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to learn through the mistakes you make during this time, and ride the tide to the best of your ability. It’s all we can do 🩷

[@stephranaway]

thank you for this💛 this reminded me of some quote about enjoying the process (i forgot what it was exactly haha), bc you’re right! what even is “figuring it out”? and something really clicked for me when you said life/your early twenties is about trial and error. i’m gonna try my best to keep learning, be gentle, and keep exploring new things! thanks again for this:))

[@thedragonforce2210]

Happy Birthday sorry I am late.

[@Wenjing-js2zw]

生日快乐！你会在纽约结交很多朋友的！🎉

[@stephranaway]

谢谢！我很期待在纽约的生活！多保重💛

[@karinamak7368]

Happy Birthday!! 🥰

[@stephranaway]

thanks karina!!!💞💞💞

[@cshek]

hey! im currently a second year cse major and i was curious about what projects you chose to do for your portfolio/resume if you don't mind sharing?

[@stephranaway]

haha of course!! take my advice with a grain of salt bc i fr didn’t know what i was doing… but i had these on my resume: - an ios app from a hackathon (swift & firebase) - a flappy bird-like game called floppy fish (java) - another ios app that visually displayed github issues (swift & uses the github rest api) - an instagram bot that scrapes reddit for top anime memes (python & some random api i found!) my portfolio had some additional ones from class such as - some random website/phone app prototypes (figma) - a text based game to go through rooms and collect items (haskell) - code from a systems class where we built a vm and compiler (we followed an online course and these were just my projects from that class! python) - my research projects from my bio days

[@cshek]

@@stephranaway appreciate it :) my main thing is just not knowing what to include so this helps! love the videos btw!

[@社會觀察家]

生日快乐

[@stephranaway]

谢谢！💛

[@farid_bpn]

i turn 17 alone too cause i live in boarding school and nobody know my birthday now :v

[@stephranaway]

:((( we’re here for you! happy 17th birthday!!!💛

[@farid_bpn]

@@stephranaway thankyou arigatou terimakasih spasiba syukron !!!!!!!!!!

[@SasmithaUdith]

hii I am Sri Lankan 😍

[@SasmithaUdith]

Happy birthday lovely 😘

[@himanshu_tyd]

originally where you belong from?

[@stephranaway]

i was born in the states but both my parents are chinese!

[@roses4andrey]

Only hot girls get emotional/cry on their birthdays (it's us we r hot girls) (i cry on my bday)

[@stephranaway]

ANDREY ILY IMY😭♥️♥️♥️

[@ClassyNasty]

your doing Great as a Grown Up, your so Blessed 😊

[@Inteshar-z9o]

happy birthday!