When I moved to a new neighborhood with walking paths and even a pool, I thought: “Now I’ll go swimming every day, wake up early, and finally have that sporty routine I’ve always wanted.”
A month later? Not much had changed. I enjoyed the pool, but not daily. I went for walks, but not as often as I imagined.
That’s when it hit me: when we move, we’re often chasing more than a new country or city — we’re chasing a New Version of Ourselves. We might think we’ll be more disciplined, more productive… and that old habits will stay behind.
But do they?
Why reality doesn’t always match the fantasy
1️⃣ New place, same brain!
If meeting new people used to feel scary, that fear won’t vanish just because the environment is different. And if you always ordered takeout, a shiny new kitchen won’t turn you into a meal-prepping pro overnight (though it might help!).
Habits are sticky — because they’re not about where you are, but about the routines your brain has repeated over time.
2️⃣ Motivation fades
A new environment creates that “fresh start” energy — but it doesn’t last forever. If we don’t connect the habit to a deeper why, the excitement fades and we slide back into the familiar.
3️⃣ Adaptation is stressful
Moving itself is stressful — even when it’s a dream move. And when your brain is under stress, it seeks comfort and familiarity. That means you’re actually more likely to fall back on old routines (the comforting snack, the Netflix binge) rather than to create new ones.
The good news?
A move can still be a reset button — if you set realistic, gentle goals. For example:
- Swap “I’ll swim every day” for “I’ll go once this week.”
- Swap “I’ll become super social” for “I’ll say yes to one coffee invitation.”
That way, your new environment becomes a supportive backdrop, rather than an unrealistic pressure to reinvent yourself overnight.
So… does moving change us?
Yes — new surroundings, culture, and experiences absolutely shape us. But there’s a difference between natural growth that unfolds over time and the illusion that moving will instantly flip a switch.
In my next post, I’ll share what moving does change — in ways you might not expect.
💭 What expectations did you have before moving? And how did reality compare?
Katerina Sushko 