Any time something is temporary, it can be difficult to settle into a relaxed state of normalcy. It’s as if our brains are telling us, “Don’t get too comfortable. This won’t last long.”
But you should be comfortable in your short-term home no matter how temporary it is. Today, we’re sharing some of the ways you can make your short-term furnished apartment feel like home and ultimately bring some normalcy to your recently relocated life.
Establish a Routine
We all thrive on routines. Even the most fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants person would probably be surprised at how much they enjoy some type of routine.
Routines give us a sense of control and confidence going into the day or week. We can anticipate what’s coming up and manage our schedules a little more efficiently.
Unpack Fully
One of the biggest mistakes short-term apartment tenants make is not fully unpacking. Can you blame them? Who would want to spend time unpacking suitcases of clothes to hang in a closet and put in a drawer only to pull them all back out and repack in a few months?
In theory, unpacking partially seems a time saver, but really, you’re likely to spend more time in the morning digging through three bags of clothes trying to find that cardigan that goes perfectly with the shirt you’re wearing than you would if you had just unpacked and hung up all of your clothes in the first place.
Not only is fully unpacking the more efficient decision, but it will also make you feel much more at home. If you’re walking into a bedroom with half-unpacked bags in the corner every day, you’re never going to feel like you’ve settled in — because you haven’t. We don’t want to sound like your mother, but… Do yourself a favor, and put those clothes away!
Get Social
Make friends. Make plans. Make plans with friends! Temporary or not, this furnished apartment lifestyle is still your life, and you should be living it to the fullest. So, instead of walking your dog in solitude, take Rover to the dog park. Instead of doing workouts in the privacy of your apartment utilize the fitness center. Instead of watching Netflix on your couch, swing by the community center and see who’s there. Say hello to people. Introduce yourself to your neighbors.
Don’t fall into the trap of saying goodbye to a phase of life before you’ve actually said hello. A simple smile or a short conversation is not only a great way to improve someone else’s day, but it also helps you build trust in the people around you and feel at home in your community.
Stay Busy
Staying busy isn’t necessarily the same as staying social. You can keep a full calendar without socializing every minute of every day. Most of us need some alone time here and there anyway, and if that’s what you need, then that’s what will help you find normalcy.
Get creative with your alone time to keep it from turning into a lonely time. Instead of watching TV, record a video tour of your new furnished apartment and share it on social media. Instead curling up in your bed and escaping into your phone, take a walk, do some deep stretching yoga style, or make a list of things you’re grateful for and frame it for decoration. Instead of grabbing a package of Oreos out of the pantry, make some cookies from scratch.
The more enjoyable things you start doing inside your furnished apartment, the more, you’ll settle in and feel at home.
Let us know what you need!
Our relocation specialists are full of helpful advice, and we’re here for you as you move and settle into a new furnished apartment. Whether this is your first time navigating a short-term relocation, or it just happens to be the most challenging, we can help make the process easier. Contact us today, and let us handle the details so you don’t have to.
