On the one hand, moving home is one of the most exciting experiences you will ever have. But on the other, it’s almost one of the most stressful experiences you will ever have – researchers suggest it is even more stress-inducing than getting a divorce!
The good news is that there are a few things you can do to ease your pain, relax your mind, and lower your blood pressure when it comes to moving home. Read on to find out more in this simple list of coping strategies that will help your move go smoothly.
Embrace the move –
People move for all kinds of reasons, positive and negative. Rest assured, however, that if you take a negative outlook on your move, you will end up having a terrible and stressful experience. You can’t afford to wallow in a pity if you are unsure about moving to a new area, or giving up a well-loved house. You have to put a positive spin on it – picture the new people you will meet, friends you will make, and experiences you will have at the new place instead.
Perfect planning prevents poor performance –
These are known as the ‘5 ps, ’ and they work for just about anything you need to think about in life – including a house move. Ultimately, if you don’t plan, the experience will be incredibly tough to enjoy, especially when you have to do everything at the last minute. Try to avoid leaving anything until the last minute. Hire your removalist long before the big day – the good ones are always booked up for at least a few months. And make sure your plans involve a long-term packing schedule – start with everything you don’t use regularly, and by the time moving day comes around you will be pleasantly surprised at how organized everything seems to be.
Be mindful of your needs –
Don’t tell yourself you are being stupid if you’re sad about moving house. People form attachments to homes, just as they do to people, and the reality is it is entirely normal. So, be mindful – don’t shut your feelings away, or they will likely erupt when you least expect it. Dealing with those emotions now will help you get to a happier place on the other side far quicker than keeping everything bottled up.
Lose the kids –
Children can get incredibly emotional when you move house, so think carefully about whether you want them around or not for the big day. Ideally, you can pass over their care to their grandparents, just to get them out from under everyone’s feet and help the moving process go as smoothly as possible. Make sure you talk to your support network a long time in advance, to get the help you need.
Meet people –
Once you reach your new home, don’t be shy about going to meet the neighbors. Many of them are likely to pop over to welcome you to your new community, but there’s nothing to stop you from saying hi. It’s an excellent way to break the ice, and hopefully will alleviate any of your first-night fears!
Moving home doesn’t have to be super stressful – with proper planning you can avoid many of the worries. Good luck – and let us know about your stress-free moving tips!
Love,
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