There is no doubt that moving can be stressful. Planning, packing, budgeting, and finding a mover can be tremendous undertakings. Whether you are a veteran mover or moving for the first time, the reasons for relocating can provide additional stress.
Understanding the full scope of what your relocation could entail will help you make the right decision about moving. |
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Photo by zweettooth, sxc.hu |
Accepting Your Feelings
A home should be a place of comfort, but you may be skeptical about finding a sense of ease in a new location. Your ability to positively affirm that you can create a new home will be an indication of your desire to move.
You may also feel that you're actually losing a sense of security when thinking about moving. It is an emotion analogous to the reaction of a child whose blanket is being taken away. Just as that child is being coaxed into the next phase of his or her life, you may feel a degree of resistance when considering a move.
Keeping a Realistic Viewpoint
If you think that you are ready to move, have you allowed yourself to consider what life would be like in a new area? Can you transfer your lifestyle exactly into a different town, city, or state without a hitch? You should consider the important aspects of your current life that you want to carry over to your new home. Making a list and rating different categories, as shown in the chart below, will provide a realistic view of how your life may change in a new location.
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| My Day-to-Day |
Rating
(scale of 1-5, 5=most important) |
Old Home (Boston, MA) |
New Home (Manhattan, NY) |
| Yoga & dance classes |
5 |
 |
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| Citizen's Bank |
4 |
|
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| Fenway Stadium |
4 |
|
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| Excellent hospitals |
5 |
|
|
Sunday dinners at
parent's house |
5 |
|
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| Public transportation |
3 |
|
|
| Varied places to shop |
4 |
|
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| Bookstores |
4 |
|
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Managing your expectations about your new surroundings will make you feel more comfortable with your decision to move. Sometimes, knowing that you'll be able to pick up where you started will make a positive difference in your attitude toward moving. |
Take Control
You could be moving for one reason or several reasons, which could all be based on circumstances out of your control. If the context of the move is stressful, then the move might also be stressful. It is difficult to simply pluck away the stressful aspects of life, but asserting the positive areas of the move will help you regain control of the situation.
Also, highlight the beneficial aspects of your move on a daily basis. Reading literature and watching moving-related shows, like HGTV's Property Virgins, will help you connect with the idea of relocating. Whether you decide to move or not, you know that you did your best to directly address the possibility of moving.
Packing
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Photo by purdywurdy, sxc.hu |
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Don't pressure yourself. Find comfort in packing.
Packing may compel you to think about your old home in conjunction with your new home. You wonder where your couch could go or which wall would best suit your favorite painting. Getting engrossed and excited by the packing details can be a great distraction from feelings of stress. Throughout the packing process, make sure to keep envisioning your items in your new home.
Packing in advance is a great way to make you feel that you aren't leaving anything important behind. You may come across items that cause you sadness or joy, but thinking about what you would pack before you move, will give you an opportunity to take all of these memories with you. |
Money and Your Moving Company
Budgeting before your relocation and hiring a knowledgeable mover will help ensure a less stressful move. Money, and how it is invested, can be a source of tension, so make sure that you have an itemized list of expected and unexpected moving costs.
Also, try to balance stressful feelings with more positive aspects of your possible move. Here are some suggestions toward achieving a positive balance:
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Photo by SEPpic, sxc.hu |
- Keep a journal. This will be an outlet for you to express and note any stresses or concerns that arise during the moving process. Airing your thoughts in a journal can help release stress regarding a pending move.
- Keep a picture of a potential home. Carrying a picture of a home that you like can make the thought of a new home more familiar.
- Get a head start. If you love restaurants, jot down a few places where you could eat in your potential new area.
- Research your moving company. Gain a bit more insight regarding your mover through the Better Business Bureau and customer reviews. This will make you even more confident with a moving specialist.
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It is no surprise that moving is often compared to a rollercoaster ride. The mix of fear and excitement can aptly describe the emotions regarding the possibility of relocation. If you continue to embrace your emotions and look for opportunities to diminish stress, though, you will be more focused when making your moving decision. |
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