It is time to move on

I want to write today about the emotional impact of moving. As a child, my family moved often. I did not realize how much it affected me. Moving was normal, a part of our lives. They were diplomats, and relocating was our routine.

As an adult, I finally settled in a city. I lived in a house that I really got to love and care about. I have been living here for the last 23 years and am now moving out. Our lives changed, and the house was too big for us. We made the decision to move.

To live in the same place for so long was something extraordinary. It was amazing to see the trees grow and salute the neighbors. I got to know their stories. I watched their kids start their own lives. I also knew where I loved to have my favorite coffee. It was my place. Now that I am the one moving, I feel the emotional impact I have heard and read about. Yes, evidently, It will need a little grief. And I will allow myself to go through it.

I had always heard that moving is in the top ten of stressful situations. I knew that people developed attachments to their houses, but that had never happened to me up to now.

I am aware of all this. So, I am taking my time to prepare myself for this detachment process. I am acknowledging the anxiety and embracing the fears. I am also getting ready for the psychological and physical impact of this move. Yes, it is sad to move from a secure place where you are happy and comfortable to the unknown.

Change is the name of the game.

We often resist change. We try to stay in the famous comfort zone. The uncertainty generates fear. The unknown causes anxiety. We often forget that change is part of life, and life itself means changing options around. Or you accept change, or you are dead. We can’t avoid change, but what we can do is work on our mindset. We can redefine what change means for us. We can examine the explanations we give ourselves about it. That will not make the anxiety disappear, but it will help the process.

One of the things I have discovered is that it is extremely important to stay focus-oriented. You need to do the moving process slowly. Organize yourself. The packaging, the boxes, and the mess will give you the sensation that it will never end. Keep in mind, you will have to embrace the anxiety.

Work on your mentality. Remind yourself why the move is being done. Embrace the difficulties. Focus on the benefits that come afterward.

We can view the move as a transition. It is a transition away from a nightmare. For others, it is a transition towards a dream. It is even the start of a new adventure. All reasons are different. What they all have in common is that moving comes with anxiety. So, just embrace it.

Packing

Try to see packing as a great chance to get rid of all the stuff. It is an opportunity to remove all the clutter collected over the years. It is like cluttering your life. There is junk that does not need to come with me. I have no need to let it follow me in the future. This cleaning process creates space for new experiences. The idea is to take with you all those memories you care about into this new experience.

Self-care

Moving requires physical work. Packing, moving stuff from one place to another is exhausting. It even hurts your hands, back, and knees if you are not careful. Even if you hire an extremely expensive moving company, there are things you need to do yourself. While you are in the stressful moving process, it is particularly important to take care of yourself. Be mindful of what you eat. Ensure you rest well. It takes physical effort, so do not overdo it.

Money

Money is one of the biggest causes of stress while moving. Yes, it is expensive emotionally and money-wise. It takes a toll on your pocket. You can’t avoid that part. Try to adjust your budget. Remember why you are moving. Also, remember that what is paid with money is not paid with mental health.