How You Can Make Temporary Living Feel Like an Upgrade

There’s something oddly humbling about starting over somewhere new, even if you’re just moving to a new state only for a short time period. Like it’s far more than just the moving essentials; it's far more than just moving your stuff from one place to another. So, there’s the new job, new address, same confused look when you realize you have no idea where the nearest grocery store is. Temporary housing can feel like limbo; you’re living there, but not really living there. It’s that weird middle ground between “guest” and “resident.”

Honestly, even if you’re temporarily moving for work, like a short project or something, there’s still that weird limbo feeling (even if you do plan to go back home once work is all finished). But what if it didn’t have to feel like a downgrade? Sure, it usually feels that way, but what if, instead of just surviving your temporary stay, you treated it like a small chapter that’s supposed to be enjoyed, basically, like a reset button before things get serious again?

Look at it Like a Mini Life Experiment

So, it’s best to start off right here, basically, a short-term move doesn’t have to be a pause button. Sure, usually it feels like that, but it doesn’t always need to be the case. It’s more about your perspective on it. It can be a chance to try out a completely different version of life for a while. Maybe you’ve always wondered what city living feels like, or maybe you secretly like the quiet of a smaller town. Of course, it depends on where you are, but a temporary stay gives you the perfect excuse to test that without the pressure of permanence.

Ideally, you’ll want to think of it as an opportunity to live differently, maybe you walk more, eat out more, or finally stop checking your emails at the dinner table. But this temporary living situation can show you what kind of lifestyle actually makes you happiest, which is something most people don’t figure out until much later. But just experiment, and use this as a time to improve or change yourself.

Choose a Place that Feels a Little Indulgent

Or very indulgent, that’s entirely up to you. So, the average person will either stay at a corporate hotel, a cheap Airbnb, or a single room for rent in a house, usually it’s something along the lines of this. Now, these sound super bare-bones and boring. Sure, if you’re on a budget, it makes total sense to do this route. But if you have the money (or if your work is paying, for example), why not use this as an excuse to lean a little more into comfort?

Actually, for some, staying in beautifully designed penthouse rentals turns a temporary move into something that feels more like a reward than a setback. Honestly, it’s not about extravagance (granted that really does help), but it’s more about waking up somewhere that makes you feel good, even if it’s only for a few months. But yeah, maybe a change in scenery can do wonders for your energy, especially when it feels intentional rather than rushed.

Create Moments Instead of Attachments

The hardest part of temporary living is knowing it’s not forever. But at the same time, a lot of people see that as a good aspect, because there’s no place like home, right? So instead of trying to make the space feel permanent, just focus on making it memorable. For example, you could try new restaurants, find a favorite walking route, and explore local hidden gems; those little discoveries make short stays feel rich, not rushed. Plus, that whole tourist feeling feels nice, because it makes you feel like you’re on a vacation or something like that.

Home isn’t just about furniture and walls; it’s about the moments that happen there. And the nice thing about a temporary move is that it forces you to be present. You’re not thinking about next year’s plans or future renovations. You’re just… here.

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