Celebrating 6 years in California + Making a New City Feel Like Home

Booties (similar here) | Jeans | Top (similar here and here)

This month marks my six year anniversary since moving to California, and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I always dreamed of living in San Francisco, probably because I was so obsessed with Full House. Sometime’s it’s still so surreal that I’m here living my dream… I remember being so uncertain if I was making the right choice at the time. It was scary leaving family, my friends, EVERYTHING I’ve ever known, and packing up my most prized possessions into the back of a Prius and driving cross country. But six years later, I couldn’t be happier, I’ve met some of my best friends and lived some of my greatest experiences.

Let’s get real. The move wasn’t easy – I cried a lot and I felt miserable for months. I felt so alone and didn’t know anyone except for my then-boyfriend, who had a full-time job. I was home alone every day trying to figure out how I was going to make this place that felt so cold, feel like home. I started by creating a routine that made me happy. I started with basic things, like finding my favorite places to grab a tea or going to the local farmer’s market to grab ingredients to cook my favorite meals. This is also when I initially decided to start my blog and made my first YouTube video (LOL it’s so bad)! Within the first 6 months of moving to California, I had found a job that consumed my entire life, ended a 5-year relationship, got caught up in the hell that is modern-day dating, and completely lost myself. But that’s a story for another time. The point is, the move was really hard, but that move has continued to shape my entire adult life.

I have friends relocating to build a family and settle down, and others that are graduating from college or moving out of their parents’ house for the first time. It made me think about all the experiences they’ve yet to have, memories they’re going to create, and friends they’re going to meet. Moving is scary no matter what stage of life you’re in – adjusting to a new culture, finding a new routine, and making new friends are a few of the things we all struggle with when trying to adapt to a new city. I wanted to share some advice and tips that have really helped me adjust and make San Francisco feel like home.

Things that helped me make San Francisco feel like home

Join a gym/workout class/groups – joining workout classes or groups is a great way to meet like-minded people and also keep the familiarity of things you already love doing.
Explore and discover new spots – try to keep a similar routine to what you had in your old city. Whether you like to drink coffee, indulge in a good brunch, or eat Açaí bowls for breakfast – keep your routine so you have a sense of familiarity, just find new places in your city to do them! It’s always been my dream to walk into my local coffee shop and have them know me by name and ask if I want my regular. I’m not quite there – but almost! 🙂
Be easy on yourself – focus on creating healthy habits and a routine that gets you excited! Making friends in a new city is hard and exhausting – be patient with yourself.
Plan things – say yes to everything that excites you and plan, plan, plan! It gives you something to look forward to and helps you during times you feel extra lonely.
Find your people – this takes time, but it starts with you. What do you like to do? What makes you happy? Do that and do a lot of that. Do you like to read? Join a book club. Do you like to dance? Join a dance class. You get the point.
Walk it out – this has to be one of my favorites. Go for walk in your city and just get lost. Don’t look at the map, just walk around and explore the different neighborhoods, stop into local shops and grab an ice cream at the corner store. I did this when I moved to San Francisco and it helped me learn the city and find some of my favorite places.
Spend some time alone – while you’re creating a routine and trying to meet people, you’re likely going to spend lots of time alone. This one really scares people but I promise it’s one of the best things you could ever do for yourself. Have you ever gone out to eat alone? Or to a movie alone? Do it! It builds your confidence and allows you to feel secure in your own skin. You can also people watch which is always so much fun!
Treat it like an adventure – at the end of the day moving to a new city is an adventure. Whether it’s short term or long term, you should try to make the best of it. You won’t love your new city if you’re sitting in the house and feeling sad for yourself. Put yourself out there, make new friends, and have an amazing, life-changing adventure.