Temporary work assignments always sound kind of exciting at first, right? Maybe you’re thinking about relocating your business, so you’re doing a project to see if it will work out, or maybe you’re an employee who’s recently assigned a project. But generally speaking, you’re now in a new city, a fresh start, maybe a little escape from the usual routine. 

But then reality hits, you’re in a new place, eating supermarket sandwiches on a hotel bed, wondering why the kettle takes 10 minutes to boil and how the shower manages to feel both freezing and scalding. Yeah, it’s weird being somewhere new when you know you’re not staying long. You don’t want to unpack your whole life, but you also don’t want to feel like you’re just floating through, waiting for it to be over.

Okay, so, with all of that said, here’s how to make it all feel a bit more normal, even if you’re only around for a few weeks (or just a few months).

Don’t Mess Around with Your Living Setup

So, you know that feeling when you’ve been in a hotel for more than three days and suddenly everything starts to feel a bit too temporary? That. It creeps in fast. You need space, a sofa, a table to eat at that isn’t also your desk, and a fridge that can hold more than a water bottle and a yoghurt. Sure, some hotels do that “apartment hotel” thing, and sometimes they work, but they’re not all like that (and they’re still super stuffy).

Honestly, staying in a proper place makes all the difference. You really need something with a kitchen, a bit of room to breathe, and a door that feels like it’s yours. So, yeah, emphasize that it feels like yours. Ideally, something like a serviced apartment is best just for that, since you’re not living out of a suitcase, and you can actually cook your own dinner if you’re sick of takeout.

Overall, it just feels more sorted, more lived-in, and a lot less like you’re just passing through.

Stick to Your Usual Stuff as Much as Possible

Sure, everything might be new, but your daily habits don’t have to vanish. If you usually walk in the morning or go to the gym after work, find a way to keep doing that. If your day normally ends with a certain tea and your favorite podcast, keep that going too. But having those familiar parts of your day helps everything else settle quicker, and it gives your brain a bit of a break when everything else feels unfamiliar.

Learn Your Go-To Spots Fast

You don’t need to know the entire city like a local, but knowing where to get coffee, groceries, and a decent sandwich goes a long way. Like, it goes a super long way. So, just go ahead and take a wander, not just for sightseeing, but to figure out where the nearest shop is, what corner café has good vibes, and which street looks nice for an after-dinner stroll.

Honestly, it only takes one or two familiar spots to start thinking, “Yeah, I could get used to this,” instead of feeling like you’re just camping out in someone else’s postcode.

Don’t Just Go Straight Back to Your Room After Work Every Night

Yes! Seriously, this just can’t be stressed enough! So, it’s way easier said than done, especially if work’s full-on, but try not to fall into the routine of work, food, Netflix, sleep, repeat. Even small stuff helps, like a chat with someone in a shop, a local event, a yoga class, or just sitting in a park for ten minutes with your headphones in. You don’t need to make loads of friends or fill your calendar, but a little bit of casual connection makes things feel more human and less isolating.

A lot of people make the mistake of going back to their accommodation, and just mulling that they’re homesick, but try and use this time to your advantage.

Bring a Little Bit of Your Normal With You

There’s something weirdly comforting about having your own mug or favorite hoodie when you’re away. You don’t need to bring the whole house, but a few familiar things can make a basic room feel more like your own space. And no shame in packing a candle or that specific blanket that always makes you feel at home, you’re there to work, but you also need to feel like yourself while you’re doing it.

Give the City a Chance

You’re not there for a full relocation, but that doesn’t mean it should feel like a pit stop. Just take an afternoon or a weekend and explore a bit. Even if you’re only there for a month, those little experiences turn it into a place you’ve actually lived in, not just passed through.