New City New You
We recently discussed the emotional roller coaster of making friends in a new city so I thought it would be a good idea to chat about the other crucial thing that you need to find when adjusting to a new city …. yourself. There will be days that you will bask in the hype of a fresh start and an opportunity for invigorating adventures. There will also be days where you will feel lost. First of all, know that it’s completely “normal” to feel that, I promise. Something that has personally helped me adjust to a whole new world is reminding myself that it takes time for a new environment to feel like home sweet home. In the moments where you are feeling out of place, shut out your negative thoughts and embrace the new. Having a clean slate with so much to learn can be an exciting chapter, if YOU let it!
Here are four tips to help make the transition a bit easier:
1. Routine, routine, routine
If you were to look up “creature of habit” in the dictionary you would find my name next to it. Knowing where to get your haircut and what short cuts to take to avoid traffic make me breathe a little easier - you feel me? If this sounds like you, welcome to the club! After you unpack your boxes and feel somewhat settled go get yourself a routine! Having a go to coffee shop and knowing exactly where the eggs are in the grocery store will make you feel more comfortable in your new city. I’ve said it 100 times before and I’ll say it 100 more times; it’s the little things that matter.
2. Be A Tourist
On that note, you can’t create a routine if you don’t know much about the city and or what’s around you. It may sound intimidating at first but being a tourist in your new city is one of the best things you can do for yourself! Get on Pinterest and search for a travel guide or google “top things to do in ___” make a dynamic list of restaurants, attractions, boutiques, etc. and go explore! Being familiar with your surroundings will be a game changer and you never know who you will meet along the way!
3. Don’t Hideout
When you’re a party of 1 it’s easy to hideout in your apartment and binge watch Netflix. Even though that sometimes hits the spot it doesn’t necessarily lead to a full life of human interaction and happiness so, put your big girl pants on and get out. Being involved in your community is a great way to meet new people and to feel more comfortable in your new home!
4. Time Is On Your Side
Here’s the truth, moving to a new city is not for everyone. It forces you to step outside your comfort zone and can, in certain ways, make or break you. Those words are not meant to discourage you but sugarcoating doesn't help. Before you make a move, of any sort, know that you must be willing to have an open mind, endless patience and are ready to make an effort in every aspect. You will be challenged, you will be pushed to your limits and you will wonder if you are the only 20 something on this planet that has ever felt homesick. It may sound crazy but ALL of those things are so incredibly worth it. The sooner you come to terms with the notion that everything will not fall into place over night the better off you will be. Soak in the unknown, have a blast exploring and enjoy learning a new side of yourself.
