You’ve packed your bags, left your old life behind, and arrived in a new city, or maybe you just landed that dream job you’ve been working toward. Everything feels new and exciting, and you’re convinced this is the fresh start you needed. You’ll finally be more disciplined, productive, and maybe even happier, right?
But after a few weeks, that excitement fizzles out. You catch yourself slipping into the same old habits—scrolling social media when you should be working, putting off the gym for another day, or binge-watching Netflix instead of going out to explore your new surroundings. So why hasn’t everything changed like you thought it would?
The Illusion of a Fresh Start
It’s not hard to see why we get sucked into this idea. A new environment feels like a clean slate, like you’ve hit the reset button on life. Social media and self-help books love to romanticize the idea of starting fresh in a new place or job. New job, new me, right? Well, not exactly.
Research shows that our environment does play a role in our habits and behaviors, but it’s not the cure-all we hope it is. Moving or starting a new job gives you a temporary dopamine boost—it feels good, like you’re stepping toward something better. But here’s the thing: that boost doesn’t last. Dr. Judson Brewer, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, explains that while novelty is rewarding to the brain, it doesn’t fix deeper, ingrained patterns.
So, when the novelty wears off, you’re left with the same person, facing the same challenges.
Old Habits, New Surroundings
The truth is, you bring yourself wherever you go. Changing your environment or job doesn’t magically erase your habits, insecurities, or tendencies. Those stay with you. Sure, a new city or job might shake things up for a bit, but without intentional effort, the same patterns will reappear.
It’s easy to think, If I just lived in that city, if I just had that job, I’d be happier, more productive. But unless you’re working on the internal stuff, nothing really changes. Moving is just a new backdrop to the same story.
Consistency Over Change of Scenery
Real, lasting change doesn’t come from a change of location or a new title. It comes from consistent effort. Ask yourself, Why do I want to change? What’s really driving this desire for a fresh start? It’s tempting to think the newness will do the heavy lifting for you, but that’s not how growth works.
James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, stresses the power of small, consistent changes. Big, dramatic moves like a new job or a cross-country relocation might feel exciting, but real progress comes from those little, daily improvements. It’s about sticking to better habits long after the newness fades.
It’s an Inside Job
At the end of the day, moving to a new city or landing a new job won’t transform you overnight. Real change comes from within. It’s about how you face your habits, how you tackle your challenges, and how you show up for yourself every day, no matter where you are or what you do.
Instead of expecting the new surroundings to change your life, focus on small, intentional actions that align with who you want to be. It’s not the city, the job, or the title that matters—it’s the work you’re willing to put in to create the life you want.
That’s some food for thought.
