Moving stress is not something to take lightly. If you don’t believe us, ask anyone who moved recently. The whole process implies a series of small tasks that are crucial for a safe relocation but are easily overlooked. Everybody has a lot on their plate during that tumultuous time, and it’s no wonder that it causes so many nerve wracks. Still, feeling anxious about your future move is a normal thing, and there are ways to deal with it and to make it less stressful. Take a look at our tips for having a less stressful relocation.
Let’s Start With the Causes – What Makes Moving so Stressful?
Once you know the reasons behind a problem, it’s much easier to overcome it. So, what exactly makes relocation so tense and upsetting? Many things actually, and we’ll explain it one by one.
Changing the Known Environment Is a Trigger for Stress
Many studies found that relocation is one of the most stressful events that can happen in a person’s life. It’s because many things are changing at the same time and people don’t cope well with changes, no matter what they tell themselves. Packing your whole life into a dozen or so boxes and saying goodbye to your old neighborhood, city, or state is not something you do easily, even with a fabulous moving away party.
Having to Find a New Home, School, Job, and Friends Is a Great Stressor
If you’re not relocating for a job, and there’s no home ready and waiting for you, the transition and dealing with bureaucracy will be painfully annoying. Applying for jobs, going on interviews, finding the right school for your children, and many other vital tasks await you, and it’s always better to do it before the move itself takes place. Making friends in a new city can be a hard and long process, depending on how much free time you have left during the day and how you like to spend it.
Moving Your Belongings Means Something Might Get Damaged
Yes, things break around the house, and it’s nothing out of the ordinary. But if something is not properly protected and packed before the move, the chances are it might get broken during the ride to your new home. It could be your favorite piece of furniture or something small but quite valuable.
That’s why you need to master new skills like how to move a piano, how to pack books for moving, or transport breakables like a fine china set so that everything arrives intact. And that is quite a process.
Something Unexpected Might Happen
We can never know what might go wrong. Not having the situation under control leads to anxiety and nervousness. If you’re moving with pets or kids, there is so much more to worry about, and you have to keep them in mind all the time.
There Are so Many Small but Unavoidable Tasks
One of the main reasons why people find relocation tense is because it can easily happen that you forget something important. When moving out, you need to take care of a ton of paperwork and complete an array of tasks like transferring your medical records, figuring out a budget, and making a series of decisions.
What Can You Do to Manage Moving Stress?
Even if all of this sounded too depressing, don’t lose your hope because nothing’s lost. We just wanted to show you bluntly what you can expect. Nervousness is a normal part of the relocation, and there’s nothing to be afraid of if things are done correctly.
A great deal of stress can be avoided and well handled if you listen to expert advice and tips. There are many moving tips and moving hacks that will take a lot of pressure off of your shoulders. Here are some of ours:
- Start on time – As soon as you have the date for your move, start doing small preparations.
- Be organized – keep a list of tasks that need to be done and try to plan it chronologically.
- Make a moving to-do list – know what needs to be done before, during, and after the move.
- Figure out what relocation services you might need – if the place you’re coming to isn’t ready, find an appropriate storage unit, decide if you want moving insurance, and see if you wish to get auto shipping as well or you want to drive to your new home.
- Create a budget – find out what your expenses are, get a calculator, and be sure that you have enough money for everything.
- Have a positive approach – don’t think of relocation as of something awful – tens of thousands of people move to a new home each year, many people move more than once in their life, and there’s nothing scary about it. It just requires you to be thorough and dedicated.
Give Yourself Time
All of this might have you overwhelmed, excited, sad, or anxious – or maybe all of it simultaneously. It’s not unusual for relocation to cause an emotional rollercoaster. That’s why there is no need to be harsh on yourself. Let some time pass and help yourself by making peace with the fact that you’re going to live in a new city or a state. Prepare yourself and the people you love that you won’t be living nearby anymore.
Take that time to read as much as you can about things that you can expect. Learn what the most commonly forgotten items to pack are and what items movers won’t move; it will be quite helpful. If you’re relocating because of education, find out how to make a college packing list. That way nothing can catch you unprepared. Rest a lot and get a good night’s sleep before the relocation day comes.
Hire Professional Movers – They Can Help a Lot
No matter if you’re planning a long-distance moving or local moving, good professional movers can help you with both. It may not be the cheapest way to move out of state, but it surely is the safest, most convenient, and the most efficient. You can even get a month free of high-end storage services, which can lower your relocations costs in the long run. Working with a reputable and licensed company that can promise you a pleasant moving experience is just the help you need when you’re under a lot of pressure.
Anastasia Hill
Apart from being the next fashion icon, Anastasia is also a freelance writer and expert on moving (and packing clothes).
