Moving is never easy, whether you’re moving down the blocker to a whole new state. Even if you’re excited about relocating to a city like San Francisco or San Antonio, it’s still not easy to pack up all of your belongings and make the hike over to a new area of the country. When the special day arrives, you may feel a combination of nostalgia and joy. The best way to enjoy relocating is to allow yourself to feel both of these emotions. Don’t ignore the discomfort just because you want to enjoy the new place. Make time for both sides of the coin.

Once you’ve gotten your cardboard boxes off the moving truck and are trying to find space for winter clothes in your wardrobe, take a look around. Are you in a new city you’ve never been to before? Do your belongings feel more at home than you do? If you’re trying to get used to a new state or a new city, with all the customs and culture that go with that adjustment, it’s a good idea to take a break from unpacking and take a few days to tour the town. Read on for some tips that may help with the process.

New Town, New You

One great thing about starting fresh in a new city is the opportunity to reinvent yourself. After all, no one here even knows who you are, and that means that you have the chance to put forth a brand new first impression. Some people might have unwanted tattoos, for instance. If you got some tattoo ink done as a teen or a young adult but are turning over a new professional leaf, you might want to look into tattoo removal. Of course, this can be daunting because you want to make sure that your skin tone is considered. The last thing you want is a blotchy scar instead of the unwanted tattoo you have. Nevertheless, technological advancements have made tattoo removal much more viable, even if the tattoo size is formidable. Look into laser tattoo removal as a great way to take care of any unwanted ink you’re regretting before you head into the office for the first time. If you take the time to find the best tattoo removal around, you’ll give yourself the gift of a new you, and that’s pretty priceless.

Hit all the touristy spots.

All those places that locals wouldn’t be caught dead in? Hit them up before you become a jaded local yourself. There’s a reason that these spots are legendary, and it’s because they have history and culture sewn into their fibers. Moving to New York City? Go to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Moving to San Francisco? Do a Google search for “things to do near San Francisco,” and then make your way over the Golden Gate Bridge, to Golden Gate Park and beyond. Don’t forget Chinatown, the Japanese Tea Garden, or Alcatraz, either. Don’t try to bike around San Francisco, though. Those legendary steep hills will make you glad you opted for the BART cable car instead of a bike rental.

Have a happy birthday in your new home.

If you happen to move to San Francisco, New York City, or anywhere else in the United States right before your birthday, you may be resigned to a less-than-special day. Well, un-resign yourself. You can have a happy birthday even if you’re flying solo. In fact, you might be able to have an even more special day than you would have had otherwise. Think about it. You don’t have to confer with a bunch of friends and relatives about what to do on your birthday if you’re alone—you decide what you want and then do it. For the entire day.

Do you want a glass of wine with lunch? Do it. Are you interested in treating yourself to snacks from your favorite bakery or some new clothing items? Go for it. Cocktails or wine, a hike amongst the giant Sequoia trees, or a stroll and food tour through Chinatown, whatever you want to do is the exact best thing to do. Have a happy birthday by treating yourself to the nth degree.

Self-storage is your friend.

We all make the mistake of packing up cardboard boxes and plastic bins full of garments or other belongings we’ll never end up using at our destination. Maybe you misjudged the seasons, or you thought you’d have more closet space or a bigger attic. Whatever the reason, you don’t need to be cramped just because there’s no room on your shelves for your winter clothes. That being said, you don’t need to throw out all of your out-of-season clothes either. Even if you don’t need winter clothes in San Francisco, you might move back to New York next year. Where will you be then? Cold, and spending money on new winter clothes, that’s where.

You can store your clothes in a storage unit for safekeeping until you understand your situation better. Coats, accessories, jackets, or any other garments that you don’t need can be put in a storage unit that has climate control and will, therefore, keep away both pests (like moths) and mildew or mold. A self-storage unit is the best option, especially if you’re unsure whether you’re staying in the San Francisco Bay Area or are relocating back to NYC.

Moving is both hard and exciting, but a great place to start is getting to know your new location and enjoying all it has to offer. Be kind to yourself, and don’t forget to have fun on the adventure.