Moving to a new, unfamiliar place can be scary and stressful. Most people have to move at least once in their lives either due to a new job opportunity or because they want a new start.
It’s difficult leaving your friends, favorite hangouts, and the routines you’re used to. We’ve been there. In this article, we show you how to make the transition easier and how to establish yourself in your new location.
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Make Moving As Smooth As Possible
The key to helping you transition to a new city, and reduce the stress and anxiety you may feel, is to make the moving process go as smoothly as possible. Making sure you’re organized, and everything is packed properly is key to keeping stress levels low.
A word of advice from the pros there is an easy way to do these things from packing your clothes for the move to packing fragile items. Let us help you with these quick tips!
Be sure to unpack as soon as possible, because the sooner your things are in place, the more comfortable you’ll begin to feel in your new digs.
Put away:
Your kitchen utensils, plates, cups, etc., and hook up the coffeemaker and other appliances you’ll need to start fresh the next day.
If you’re too stressed out about DIY moving, consider hiring a professional moving company to handle the details and the heavy lifting. The extra money you spend can give you the peace of mind you need to not worry about what can go wrong.
Do Your Research Before Moving
Another great way to start feeling at home before you arrive in your new city is to research the area before you go. Thanks to the internet and the variety of local, mobile apps, you can find out where all the public transportation is and the most popular restaurants and pubs.
Consider finding hashtags related to your city on Instagram to see what fun activities people are up to in your new area. Maybe you’ll even make a connection before you arrive.
Move Only The Essentials
Having to unpack everything you own and find spots for it in your new home can be stressful. So, if you have a lot of stuff, consider ditching everything you no longer use or rarely use to make it easier for you.
Moving only the essential items is much easier if you’re packing and unpacking everything by yourself. Also, it makes it more exciting about getting new things when you arrive in your new location. It will really feel like a fresh start.
Don’t Be Shy. Get Social
We’re not just talking about social media, but creating personal connections face-to-face. Once the moving companies unpack your boxes and you put away your belongings, the loneliness begins to set in. When in a new city, a great way to start feeling more comfortable is to get out and make friends.
You can do this by joining local groups and clubs that share your interests. Or join a fitness club to help you burn off stress, stay in shape, and meet new people to help you adjust to your new surroundings.
If you are religious, consider getting involved with a church or local faith-based groups! These groups are very welcoming to new members and can help you feel at home quickly while finding like-minded individuals.
If you’re reading this and thinking “I don’t have any hobbies” now is the perfect time to try something new. Beginning a new hobby is a great way to connect with other beginners who may feel like they’re in the same boat as you. Once you start making friends, you’re suddenly not so lonely in your new city.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use a Map
Sure, you have apps and Google to help you get around, but depending on the city, you may find dead spots where you don’t have access to WiFi or cell service, which can lead to you getting lost.
Having a map may make you look like a tourist, but don’t feel embarrassed. The sooner you’re able to find your way around the city, the more comfortable you’ll feel.
Develop a Routine
As soon as you can, try getting into a routine to make yourself more comfortable in your new surroundings. Stay close to home for a while and get familiar with your local area.
Get up and go to the same coffee shop every weekend or go to the same restaurant by your new office for lunch each week. Familiarity breeds comfort, and nothing gets you familiar with a place more quickly than does getting into a routine.
Keep Tabs With Friends Back Home
When you move to a new city, it may take some time to meet new people, which can leave you feeling isolated and lonely. To combat this, make sure to keep in touch with your friends back home.
Thanks to social media, texting, and FaceTime, you can easily keep tabs on what everyone is doing, and keep them updated about your new place. Just because you had a long-distance move doesn’t mean it’s impossible to maintain those close relationships.
Try sharing the new restaurants and pubs you’ve discovered. If you have joined a club or organization, share with them what you’re doing.
Remember that your old friends are missing you as much as you’re missing them. Keeping in touch is the perfect way to ensure you don’t feel so alone in the big city. Here are 8 tips to help you keep in contact with loved ones back home.
Deal With Depression
When you move to a new location, it’s not uncommon to feel isolated and down in the dumps — that’s natural. But for some, loneliness can turn into depression and linger long after you’ve arrived.
This is called relocation depression. You may feel like the entire world is closing in and you might try to sabotage your new opportunities so you have an excuse to move back home.
Watch out for these signs that identify you might be suffering from relocation depression:
- Poor sleep
- No energy
- Fear of socializing
- Development of strange behaviors
If you think you’re suffering from relocation depression, seek professional help to assist you with adjusting more easily. In the meantime, try rearranging your home to resemble your old one to give you that feeling of familiarity.
Rely on your old friends to boost your spirits, and remind you that they are still thinking about you. Most importantly, give yourself the proper time to acclimate to your new home. Some experts say it can take as much as a year to get over moving to a new place.
Some people adjust more quickly to new environments than others. But, almost everyone needs time. If you apply the above tips and remember that it will take time to adjust, the process will become much easier. Keep plugging away, don’t dwell on the past, and you’ll feel snug in your new home in no time.
