The Emotions of Moving

Various events can trigger a move.  Maybe you found the house of your dreams.  Maybe you lost your job and can't afford to stay in your current living situation.  Divorce, death, bankruptcy, new job, kids off to college… or maybe you just want to move to a different climate for a change.  Whatever the reason for the move, uprooting your life and living in a new space can be one of the most stressful events in your life.

Although it's impossible to predict a completely stress-free move, there are things you can do to keep the process more manageable.

Ask for Help

Now is not the time to be a martyr.  It's okay to ask for help, and if friends offer, by all means, take them up on it.  If you don't need help packing, you can ask others to help with research and telephone calls or setting up house on the other end.  Or you might just want to ask them to be available for moral support or help with the kids.

Make Lists

Make checklists and use them.  Don't count on yourself to remember everything in your head, because you won't.  Some people like to use a notebook to keep their lists organized and in one place.

Know your Limits

During times of high stress, it's very important to take good care of yourself.  Make sure you get plenty of rest and try to eat as healthfully as you can.  Try to schedule your tasks so that you aren't killing yourself in one day. 

Be Patient

The moving process is long and difficult, and it could take some people up to 18 months to fully recover and get back into a groove.  So don't be too hard on yourself if you don't bounce back in the first month.

Acknowledge your Emotions

You many experience a full range of emotions during your move.  Don’t fight them.  Even if you are moving for happy reasons, you may find yourself sitting among the boxes, crying.  It’s perfectly normal to feel sad about what you are leaving behind, whether it’s good friends or just a favorite tree in the yard.