Nagusami / 14

Cultivate places in the city that are entirely your own and go to them alone. Never mention those places to anyone--especially not to anyone you love. There are subway stops where you’ve never gotten off before—take advantage of them. I suggest drab, unlovely places. Anything lovely you’d be tempted to share. Your loved ones would track you down and exclaim, “Why didn’t you tell me before!” Your hidden-ness , your anonymity, will enliven the place even if it is McDonald’s. Disappearing for the afternoon is a human right. It ought to be. Make plans in secret. Survive this way.