I am an introvert. Thus, my decision to move to New York might be considered a bold one. I had already experimented with a few different cities, slowly expanding the distance between myself and my high-school town in San Diego. But I had kept myself tucked away within the confines of the California coast. This move felt more monumental. There would be more people, more cultures, an entirely different commuting system, and actual seasonal changes to observe. And I was thrilled!

A huge part of my personality, which will come up time and time again, is that I am competitive (in fact, it is consistently in my top 5 Strength Finder’s results). I am also a seeker of information (most of the time this information is to fuel my competitive tendency). Luckily, competition tends to be internalized for me, so those around me don’t have to suffer too much and I’ve been able to maintain healthy relationships with my peers. But my drive to know more and my drive to be more are what made me jump at the promotion to a role in NYC.

Now, I already mentioned my previous gallivanting up the California coast, planting myself briefly around Orange County and Los Angeles, and eventually San Francisco. I attribute much of my ability to adapt to New York primarily because I allowed myself these experiences beforehand. A direct move from San Diego to New York might have broken me. However, through trial and error, I discovered what I needed to maintain my emotional and physical well-being during a transition, and I would like to share that with you in hopes that it might help you in your own journey.

Let me reiterate here that I am an introvert. I am much more comfortable in small-group settings and I do not require constant contact with other humans, in fact I find large groups draining. However, I have learned – the hard way, more on that later – that I do need some regular interaction to maintain a healthy emotional state. These four necessities might not fulfill an extroverted soul.

For myself, this is fundamental, but it wasn’t always. I never did sports in adolescence, in fact, I dreaded P.E. class, and I’m sure my classmates dreaded having me IN their PE class. My relationship to fitness has changed over time, and really since 2010, physical activity has been a necessity in my life. It gives my competitive spirit something to work toward, a sense of accomplishment, and just makes me feel better overall. When I moved to New York, I had been using Bikram Yoga and running as my two methods for physical activity, so I used those as motivators to establish a new routine in the city. Within the first week of moving to my new neighborhood, I found a Bikram Yoga studio nearby – for which I purchased a monthly pass to ensure I would attend – and I went shopping for cold weather running gear for this new-to-me season called “winter”.

2. Found Volunteering Opportunities

I cannot stress how important volunteering has become for me. I tend to spend too much time in my own head, which leads to stress, anxiety, and doubt. But doing something for someone else, completely giving time and energy to another person or cause, is SO fulfilling! And another plus side, it provides an opportunity to socialize when you don’t know anyone in the city! I found 826 NYC, which was local to me in Brooklyn, and I have also volunteered frequently through New York Cares. Whether it’s a tutoring gig, wrapping presents for a crisis center, or helping in a soup kitchen, there is something for everyone!

3. Local Coffee Shop

There is something comforting when your barista remembers you upon entrance. And for me, the small talk and acknowledgement from said barista counts as a form of fulfilling social interaction. I tested a few coffee shops and settled on one that was only one block from the train station I used, which also happened to be owned and operated by neighborhood locals. It would become a vital part of my morning routine and made me feel like a part of the community.

4. Creative Outlets

Creativity is something that has always brought me joy. I grew up quilting with my grandmother, crocheting, drawing, painting, and I took piano and violin lessons for years in adolescence. Creativity is a necessary outlet for me emotionally. I decided to take up my violin again when I moved to the city and hired a private teacher. It had been far too long and I needed to start with the basics, which took a lot of humbling of ego to admit. It felt so good to connect with music in that way again and – of course – my competitive side loved the challenge.

My best piece of advice for you if you find yourself moving to a new, unfamiliar place, is to figure out what makes you happy in your current situation. Make a list of the small things that bring you joy on a daily basis, and if they are specific places or people that you can’t pack up and take with you on your journey, consider how you might fill the void that leaving them behind might create. Change is always uncomfortable, but it allows for so much personal growth and new connections to come into your life. So embrace newness as much as you can and get movin’!