London is a fascinating town. It has its own charm, a magical attraction even. Sadly, there still are times when the magic fades. Especially for those who have just arrived to stay in the capital.

When you first come to London, you are a tourist. You are astonished by the size, the scale, the age-old architecture and the availability of colors. When you stay here for a while you get carried away into the routine. And with a town as big and busy as London, this routine can become your entire life.

Commuting, work, communing, dinner, sleep. Rinse and repeat tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. And the day after, that until the weekend finally comes.

What would you do on your weekend? Have fun?

Nope, the odds are you will be managing the chores that have piled up during your busy work week.

This, my friends, is how London gets to you. Don’t worry though as this sad period of time is nothing but a stage. A test, if you will. The London is making sure that you are made of Londoner material.

Luckily, if it is a test we are talking about, there is also a way to pass it. Thus I introduce to you my list of neat tips and tricks on how not to let London get the best of you!

The tips

What do Londoners do when the city becomes too lonely or depressing? That’s obviously simple – they get back to the things that helped them fall in love with the place.

• There are a lot of free museums and galleries in London. I know how much you wanted to visit those and I also know about the lack of time you’ve experienced: relocation, settling in, getting your job done and whatnot – all of those are important and time-consuming things. I also know that you won’t get any less busy any time soon. Its London for Lord’s sake, so please, be sure to take the time for yourself and visit all of those places even if you’ll have to sacrifice a few important meetings.
• Find a park you like and go for a hike. There are plenty of places to choose from and here’s the thing: you will have a park close to your flat, but the question is whether you like it or not. If your option is the latter – please invest some time to find a green place that fits your taste. This is especially important to those who work in the Central London. You guys have probably forgotten how the grass looks like. No wonder you are a bit depressed. Go to a park. NOW!
• You’ve never experienced London if you didn’t take the night bus home at 4 AM. Forget your beauty sleep for at least one night, go out, have fun, crawl through as many pubs as possible and get back home via the bus. This will be a memory of a lifetime for you. I promise.
• Suck it up. No, I mean it. Things will get better.
• Don’t forget your voice. It is very easy to lose it in the “silence of the crowd”. The fact that everyone else is minding their own business shouldn’t stop you from doing the same. If you have something to say or an important call to make – speak up!
• Cough when in the tube. As loudly as possible. Why? Just give it a shot and thank me later.
• People in London aren’t that different. Both Londoners and newcomers experience the same feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Hang out with them more often to help each other out.
• Three words: Primrose Hill, sunset.
• Cancel your Netflix subscription if even for a month. You’ll see the wonders of show-free Sundays like a newborn. You’ll even think that you finally have all the time in the world, if even for a little while.
• Invest in good headphones.
• How much can you say about the weather? I’d bet that a sentence or tow is your maxima if you are still new to London. Master the art of small talk by learning from the natives as this is one of the best ways to make new friends. Especially at work.
• Have a walk across the Waterloo Bridge. The sights are breathtaking.
• Manage your finances better. London is expensive and the constant rat chase for a paycheck makes it all the more depressing.
• Did I tell you that you shouldn’t give up? Just in case – don’t give up=)
• You are in the capital of exquisite cuisine even on the street level. If I were you I’d never dine in the same place twice.
• Try staying away from your phone and especially social media for a weekend or so. I know it’s hard but you should really make this effort. It will be worse it. Better yet just turn your phone off all at once.
• The Tube is an endless battle of sweat and cheeks and your personal space is the prize in it. Fight for it with all you’ve got.
• Read a book.
• Watch that movie you’ve wanted to see for a while but never had the time to.
• Keep on fighting.

That’s it. Staying happy in London is really that easy. Just follow the tips from above or at least some of them and you’ll see the difference. Feel free to thank me later. Cheers!