From bright lights and skyscrapers to constant honking, tourists, and few and far between nature, it can feel a little challenging to make NYC feel like home.

It might not immediately feel “cozy,” but that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope to get there. Here are some tips for slowly bringing pieces of home to the hustle and bustle of a big city.

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Identify what home means to you

First ask yourself: How would you define home?

Is it a person? A place? A feeling? A food?

Close your eyes and think about the word “home” for a few minutes. What images, feelings, colors, or words come to mind?

Has your “home” changed over time? If so, what has stayed consistent?

Recognizing what it means for something to feel like home is important, to understand how to make a new place feel like home.

2. What reminds you of home?

What reminds you of what you would consider your current home?

Jot down:

Scents
People
Objects
Places
Food or drinks
Memories
Activities

3. Bringing/Finding Pieces of Home in NYC

Is there a way to bring any of these items to NYC?

For example, a candle that reminds you of home, a photo of your family or your favorite place or memory, or an item that you grew up with.

Creating comfort within your living environment is crucial to have a stable place to return to and help regulate your nervous system, when the outside world starts to feel a little loud.

What about recreating parts of home in NYC?

For example, cooking or taking out a meal that reminds you of home. You could also try joining a group that you find community or shared interests in, such as a church group, dance team, volunteering group, run club, recreational sports team, or a cultural group that you identify with.

Building a community and support system can make a big difference in feeling safe and comfortable in a new place.

4. Creating a routine for yourself

In a brand new place where things might feel overwhelming, maintaining a consistent routine can help bring calm to the chaos. Waking up and going to sleep around the same time, buying groceries on the same day, attending weekly workout classes, journaling every morning, are all ways to stick to a schedule and feel a little more grounded.

Maybe there’s a local cafe or bookstore you can frequent, so you can have a familiar place and familiar faces to come back to.

5. Stay positive, feeling at home takes time

Making a new place feel like home isn’t easy. Home is a meaningful place, and it takes time to make meaning and find your community somewhere new. Don’t be too hard on yourself if things aren’t clicking right away, just take it one step at a time, and remember that small things can make a big difference.

Final Takeaway

NYC might not feel like home instantly, and that’s okay. Making a big city feel small is a feat that can take some time and patience, but you’ll get there. Soon the big city won’t feel so big anymore.

Thinking About Starting Therapy?

If you’re considering therapy, we’d love to support you.

Submit a contact form or email us at hello@gluckcollective.com to get started.
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At Gluck Psychology Collective, we offer in-person and virtual therapy across NYC for anxiety, burnout, relationships, life transitions, trauma, self-worth, and identity development.

It is our goal to make therapy as affordable and accessible as possible —we are in-network with Aetna and offer reduced rate therapy as well.

If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s talk about it.

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