I’ve officially been living in Toronto for over two months now, having moved back to the city mid-January. I was very excited to spend the entire month of March in the city. It’s always a bit of a struggle adjusting to living in a new place. For me, one of the things I want to focus on during this adjustment phase is creating a new routine. Today’s blog will dive into the ins and outs of routine building in a new city – read on!

Creating structure that works: Weekdays

Going back to having a regular work routine, with primarily 9-5 hours, was the first step in creating structure. I surprisingly have found it very helpful. Previously, I have felt confined by 9-5 work hours, but now, it’s felt really nice to have some structure that I can rely on. I’ve been able to build my routine around this structure, which has helped a lot with adapting to being in a new place. I typically meal prep on the weekend so I’ve got an even deeper sense of structure for the work week ahead.

In terms of daily routines during the week, I’ve kept them pretty simple so far. My morning routine includes trying to get up at the same time each day, get ready, and nourish up with a good breakfast. One of things I’ve been adding recently is a page of reading, which I like to think of as almost a morning meditation. I’ve been reading from The Pivot Year and I’ve really enjoyed it so far! I’m doing my best to stay on track and read every morning, with the goal of one per day for the whole year. I’ll keep you posted on this goal!

My evening routines have varied depending on whether or not I’m in the office or working from home. If I’m at the office, I like to come home and do some yoga before settling in for dinner and a relaxing evening. If I’ve worked from home, then I try to do something to get out of the house. So far, this has included a mix of social time with friends, workout classes, and fun events in the city. Regardless of the rest of my day, every night I journal before bed in my Happiness Planner. This simple step is actually a huge healthy habit for my mental health, which makes a big difference in the long run.

Freedom to explore the city: Weekends

Having this structure during the week has helped me a lot with staying consistent, and it’s also freed up my time to enjoy the weekends more. I have more time and energy to explore the city and connect with friends. My recent obsession has been super fun spin classes on Friday nights. I’ve checked out the arts and culture scene quite a bit too, including museums like the ROM and going to really cool literary events. Going for brunch, dinner, and even meeting up with friends for coffee has been a blast as well.

Some of my favourite areas I’ve explored so far include the Distillery District, Roncesvalles, Stackt Market, and thrifting along Queen Street. Honourable mention also goes to the Toronto Reference Library, where they host a ton of cool events. I’ve enjoyed the areas I’ve seen and look forward to exploring more! I’m still on the lookout for my fav workout classes and clubs to join, and can’t wait to build them in to my routine on a regular basis. Once my routine is fully solidified, I’ll be wanting to expand my network and make new friends too.

All of these aspects have contributed to building a pretty solid routine so far, with a combination of structure and free time. This combination has contributed immensely to my overall adjustment to living in a new place. It has been great to feel settled in the city, and take those first steps in making a new place my home. Though I have lived in Toronto previously, things feel different this time around. I’m hopeful that it’s a good feeling, and everything will fall into place as time goes on.

Do you have any other tips for routine building in a new city? Let me know in the comments! 😊