Whether you’re gearing up for a move, or have just started to unpack the first box at your new place, you might be interested to hear about how the psychological effects of moving have impacted you.
That’s right, we said it: moving impacts the body and mind, and the psychological impacts are no joke.
The New York Times, in fact, says that moving is often an “intensely emotional experience.”
Your home is a source of safety
A psychoanalyst named Ronnie Greenberg who was interviewed by The New York Times said that your home or your apartment is a matrix for safety, which is why moving—whether you’re buying a home, looking for new roommates, or finding a place by yourself—can be so stressful and panic-inducing.
If you’ve found yourself browsing real estate listings and starting to feel a little hopeless or a little stressed out, you’re not alone. And, In-Mind says that many people feel anxious and lonely, even after they’ve moved.
Many things pop up, allowing you not to move
For people who live in high-volume, fast-paced rental markets, like New York City and San Francisco, moving can feel like you’re spinning out of control—in some cases, you’re at the mercy of a co-op board, which can pretty simply not allow you to move. When you find a place you want, landlords can reject you for many reasons, not all of which they’re necessarily required to disclose to you.
Prevent stress and anxiety
It’s peculiar that this universal problem that all people have to deal with at some point or another—moving to a new home—is something that causes us stress, but we seem to normalize it. Moving can feel like you’re leaving behind your whole world, your home, and starting a new chapter somewhere else that may not necessarily be better than the situation you had before.
But it’s not all hopeless: if you arm yourself with ways to prevent the anxiety from settling in, you can have a more successful and less panic-ridden transition in your new place. The key to de-stressing the moving experience is two-fold: lean on your support system, and look at it as an opportunity.
What are you excited about?
If you’re moving for work or for a relationship, it can feel like moving is something you have to do, rather than something you want to do. So, figure out what it is you’re excited about: living in a new area that’s closer to certain things you like, purging your belongings and finally donating all that stuff to charity, downsizing or upgrading your apartment.
If you put a positive spin on what could otherwise be an overwhelming situation, you’ll have something to hold on to when you’re packing up those boxes.
Reach out and speak up
Talk to your friends and family about how you’re feeling. It’s okay if you’re overwhelmed and it’s also okay if you’re excited and in a great mood about the move! Communicating your feelings of stress may help you to normalize them, and eventually deal with them so you’re able to move on and focus on making your new place into a home. Plus, just about everyone has had to move at one time or another in their lives, so your friends and family may be able to offer some personal experience and advice.
Don’t be afraid to reward yourself
When the feelings of anxiety start to overwhelm you, indulge in a little junk food, or bad TV, or that new couch you’ve been eyeing and saving up for—rewarding yourself for going through this stressful process is okay! Just make sure you keep it reasonable and taper off the junk food once you start to settle in.
Stick to your routine
If you watch a movie and order a pizza every Thursday night, try out the new neighborhood’s pizza place, and pop in your favorite movie. Make sure your coffee pot is unpacked and plugged in so that you can have your cup of coffee each morning after the move. These things seem small, but they go a long way towards easing the mental burden of the move. You may be in a different place physically, but you’re still doing all the things you love to do.
Hire a moving company
Moving is no walk in the park, but it’s a part of everyone’s lives. Another way you can ease the stress on your mind is to work with a great moving company so that you don’t have to worry about schlepping your own boxes. Here at Dowell’s Moving & Storage Victoria BC, we specialize in both local and long-distance moves, and we can store your belongings for you while you’re in between places. We may not be able to take all of the stress out of the situation, but we can at least give you peace of mind that your things will be safely and efficiently transported to your new home, and you won’t have to worry about them at all.
Call us today at (250) 361-9866 if you have any questions!