Having trouble settling into your new city? Does it feel like there's a missing piece, or a looming sense of anxiety over something that you can't quite put your finger on? Don't worry, you're not alone. It's completely natural to feel out of your element in a new place, and there's no "normal" timeline it should take you to snap out of it. 

We know the first few months are tough, but keep your head up - it'll get better! In the meantime, we're diving into some common sources of anxiety post-move, and revealing our quick fixes.

Potential Problem #1: Low-key sleep deprivation

If you're coming from a non-city environment, you're likely not getting as sound a sleep as you once did, even if you don't realize it. If you're feeling overly tired & sluggish lately, you might be suffering from a mild form of city induced sleep deprivation. 

PSA: we do NOT recommend using earplugs to solve this ish - we tried once and slept straight through our alarm (oops). Here are some (other) quick fixes that will have you snoozing: 

Quick Fix:

• Apps like Calm can help slow down your mind and get you ready for a restful sleep. We recommend the white noise setting to drown out the craziness happening outside of your window. We're huge ~fans~
• Instead of tossing & turning over any lingering anxieties from the day, write them down then rip them up. It might sound crazy, but the day is done and there's nothing you can do about it. As our favorite Disney Queen once said, let it go. 

Potential Problem #2: Ugly apartment (no offense)

Take a look around your humble abode real quick - we'll wait. Does your apartment look like an unsettling mix of college life meets half assed DIY? A lot of how adult we feel has to do with the way we present ourselves in our living spaces, so it's no wonder that your leftover dorm decor might be preventing you from living your best life in your new city. Also, if you've been bequeathed with one or more items from a '90s living room set, please return to the original owner ASAP. They are not your friend.

Quick Fix: You've landed a job & found a place to live - congrats, you're officially an adult! Now start living like one. We know, you're short on time & money and have maybe convinced yourself your apartment decor doesn't matter. But making your apartment a home is a key part of becoming an adult. Prove to your friends, colleagues, family, and YOURSELF that you're not only adulting, but adulting well. Your home should be a calming oasis where you can unwind away from the smog & sirens. Sure, you'll have to drop some $, but redecorating can be cheaper than you think,  and there are less invasive ways to redecorate rental spaces that will ensure you get your security deposit back. So treat yo self, you deserve it! You budding adult, you.

Potential Problem #3: Poor work/life balance

This one's a classic, and it goes like this: young adult moves to new city for new job, new job becomes all consuming, young adult gets sad that new city isn't as fulfilling as expected. Sound familiar? If you're spending an absurd number of hours in the office, or find yourself thinking about work even when not in the office, you probably don't have time for the activities that make you happy.

Quick Fix: First of all, take a step back. Burnout is real, and you don't want to fall victim. The more time you spend at work, the less time you have to do the things you really want to do. Even if you "love your job," (insert eye roll) work is still work, and you need to have a balance. Here are some suggestions:

• Research events around you and try to go to at least one per week! Here's a great resource for finding fun things to do in your area.
• Exercise is a great stress reliever, and playing on a team is a perfect way to meet people. ZogSports puts teams together for all kinds of sports and has organized leagues in most major US cities.
• Volunteering will force you to put things into perspective and remind you that there's more to life than your boss and her crazy unrealistic expectations. Volunteermatch matches those eager to help with organizations that meet their interests and time commitments. If you can only volunteer one hour a week, that's better than nothing!

New to the apartment rental game? Download our renter's guide to find out what obstacles you might face in the coming months, and how to handle them: