Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The first few days in a new city for work can feel kind of exciting. It’s like a mini vacation, well, a workcation, because maybe you’re busy with a goal like relocating your business, expanding the business, or maybe you’re a worker for a large business. But overall, you’re dealing with a new place, new rhythm, and new favorite coffee spot just waiting to be discovered. But once the novelty wears off, and the work starts piling up, that sneaky little feeling creeps in. You know the one. Homesickness.

In a way, it’s like one of the worst feelings out there, right? Basically, it comes in quietly. Maybe it’s when you wake up and realize the view out your window still doesn’t feel familiar. Or it’s when your go-to dinner spot just doesn’t hit the same way your usual one does back home. You’re not miserable, but you’re not exactly settled either. You’re in this strange in-between space, working through the day and wondering why everything feels just a little bit off.

Now, sure, being away for work long-term can be lonely, even when the job’s going great. Homesickness doesn’t care if your new place is cool or the team is friendly. It just shows up and makes everything feel a bit heavier. But even so, it can be pretty manageable, but where do you even start?

Acknowledge that It’s Normal

This one sounds simple, but it helps. Just feeling a little off when you’re far from home isn’t some big personal flaw. It’s human. Basically, new places take time to feel familiar, and long days without your usual people or routines can wear on anyone. But really, it’s not about being ungrateful or dramatic, it’s just your brain and body adjusting to change. Just give it a bit of grace. Basically, the more you try to push it down or ignore it, the more it bubbles up.

So just admitting, “Okay, I’m a little homesick today,” gives you permission to do something about it. Again, it’s overly simple, sure, but really, just give it a go.

Create a Daily Routine that Actually Feels Good

Okay, so one of the fastest ways to settle in is to build a rhythm. Not just a to-do list or a packed work calendar, but small things that make the day feel more like your own. Maybe try and consider something like a morning walk to grab coffee, a go-to lunch spot that knows your order, a 10-minute phone call with someone from home.

But really, when you’re feeling disconnected, a familiar rhythm brings a bit of calm. It doesn’t have to be deep or meaningful, just something that feels consistent. So, that little bit of structure can help when everything else still feels new.

Make Your Space Feel Like Yours

Oh yeah, so this is a pretty big one. So, it’s hard to feel grounded in a place that looks and feels temporary. Basically, something like a bland hotel room or a half-empty flat doesn’t exactly scream comfort. So, you need somewhere you actually want to come back to at the end of the day.

Well, if you’ve got the option, staying in a serviced or furnished apartment can make a big difference. Of course, not every city has something like this, but you get more space, a proper kitchen, and a layout that doesn’t feel like you’re living out of a suitcase. Plus, if you know you’re going to be staying in one (prior to your move), then it might help to bring personal things, like your own pillow, your favorite mug, a picture of your loved one, just some little things like that can really help.

Stay Connected to Your People

Even if you’re across the country or across the world, regular check-ins with your people back home help. Not just updates and texts, but actual conversations. Thankfully, that’s so easy nowadays because there’s FaceTime chats, voice notes, photos of what you’re eating or the weird street name you saw on your walk, just small stuff like that makes you feel less far away. 

Also, when you’re not just focused on home, but sharing little bits of your new life too, it helps bridge the gap.

Find a Few Things that are Just Yours

When you’re in a new place for work, it’s easy to let the job take over. And sure, some people do allow that, but it’s not exactly a good idea. But you still need things that are just for you. Not work-related, not performance-based, just stuff that fills you up. Sure, this really varies for everyone, of course. Maybe it’s a book, a class, an exercise routine, a walk, but there needs to be something.

The idea is to have something that’s just yours in this new space. Something that makes you feel like you’re living, not just working in a different place.