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Making the Best of Moving and Emotions

Moving from one home to another presents a lot of challenges. It’s a large financial investment. It’s also a lot of physical work, especially if you are moving large pieces of furniture or arranging that furniture once you’re in your new home. And this is all after you’ve already gone through the stressful process of finding a new home and (hopefully) selling your old one. There’s another element, though, that may be tougher than any of the others, in part because it’s usually brought on by all the others. We’re referring, of course, to the psychological toll that moving has on us.

Understand what to expect

Before you move, you should accept that even the best experience will be tough. Be ready to face stress over logistics, the sadness of saying goodbye, and the anxiety of what’s to come. If you have children who are adolescents, understand that the move may be especially hard on them. It’s alright to allow yourself a little bit of grieving time, either before or after your move (or both).

Make it easy on yourself

Moving is hard, and if you’re dealing with a lot of emotions, it may get too overwhelming. It’s worth it to ease the burden in whatever ways you can. Scan yourself to determine which aspect of moving is causing you the most negative emotions. If it’s worrying about the logistics, consider hiring a moving team. If you have a hard time getting rid of belongings, taking the packing up process as a chance to declutter your life! And for those for extra-special pieces that you can’t bear to let go but don’t have room to bring yet, you can hire a service like these storage units Las Vegas to store your most valuable possessions in a safe, climate-controlled environment until you’re settled enough to come back for them. If you’re having a really hard time leaving friends or family, throw a goodbye party and have your friends contribute pictures for a coffee table scrapbook. If you can afford it, you could even go ahead and buy a ticket for a trip back during the holidays. To combat the worries about what will happen in your new place, you can get online and plan activities for yourself. See if there’s a meetup group that participates in a hobby you love or if there’s a church, club, or even a museum or attraction you want to check out within your first couple weeks. Even if it’s not an activity you stick with long-term, having an initial plan in place can ease a lot of the worry.

Notice if the move is particularly hard on you

Moving is an inherently emotional experience, but there are some factors that can augment it. If you find yourself dealing with an inordinate amount of angst, consider asking yourself why you are moving in the first place. If it’s for a job or to be closer to family, that makes sense. But The New York Times notes that some people deal with what’s called “Goldilocks syndrome,” meaning they move frequently, always on the search for the place that’s “just right.” On the other hand, someone who’s never moved before could be dealing with a little bit of freezing up. The move may be for an unhappy event, such as a divorce or financial matters; emotions will obviously accompany this kind of move as well. And if the emotions get too hard to deal with, either before or after, for you or for any members of your family, don’t be afraid to seek out counseling.

Keep in mind, as best as you can, that moving is a positive experience! You’re clearing out the clutter, reinventing your space, and taking on new challenges. This is true whether you’re moving across the country or just down the block!

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