3 Tips on Adjusting Yourself to a Metropolitan Life
I remember the first time I moved to a metropolitan Jakarta for work. I remember I kinda missed my old life in my hometown, but at the same time I sensed that it was gonna be an exciting new phase of my life. I was lucky enough to have people helped me along the way — people who came before me, especially. I lived there 6 years in total, and it did became one of the most valuable experiences in my life.
Here are my tips:
First tip is a starter. If you’re new in the city, find some local community that has similar interests or background as you. Online, offline, whatever. You know this: friends from your hometown, maybe a local religious community, or maybe some relatives. Start adjusting your pace — literally, like walking pace, talking pace, basically everything you do. Also, learn the language differences, if any. Feeling homesick is normal, and maybe you’re gonna miss your old relaxing life, but you’re gonna get through it. Remind yourself that you’re in this city for a reason.
Second tip is to expand your circle. Once you’ve got more and more comfortable in your environment, schedule, and everything else in your routine, gradually look for ways to expand your circle of friends. Try step into new territories. During this phase, there’s a possibility that you’re gonna compromise the ‘old’ you. I mean, you’re trying to be likeable in these new territories so that you’re gonna make some sacrifices. An easy example would be spending more money than you used to to hangout with your new friends. You’ll start changing. Nevertheless, I would suggest you to stay within your limits and, especially, values. It’s a big city, there should be somewhere you can fit in.
Remember, don’t forget the people you’ve met on the first tip.
Third tip. This is important. Once you’ve settled and have identified yourself with the city, don’t underestimate the power of coming home once in a while to get you down to earth again. Metropolitan life is fast-paced, expensive, and always looking up (in career, possession, achievement) so you’re likely to change after some time. You’re not the one you used to be but hopefully, you’re not turning into an as*hole: looking down on people who don’t appear or sound nice/professional, not caring to people who are in needs, always being suspicious on people, feeling that you’re smarter or more righteous, etc. Sometimes you don’t even realise it because, like I said, it’s a fast-paced life, so you need to be reminded to slow down again. Never forget where you came from.
If you happen to hate your hometown, then travel someplace else.
Oh yeah, once you’ve adjusted, if you found someone else who’s new in the city and he/she is within your reach, offer him/her to help. Do it nicely, not creepily.
Moving to a big city should be exciting. For some people it means stepping out their comfort zone (I don’t know why but I hate that term), a bit frightening, maybe even an extreme experience. But once you’ve gotten out of it, you’ll reach much more and further in terms of personal and professional development. You’ll realise that there’s so much differences and varieties out there that works in harmony for a purpose. You’ll appreciate your life better than before, and you should enjoy it.
