Stress is almost a constant for so many of us. We get stressed trying to fit everything into a day that we think we should…or life throws challenges our way that creates turmoil and uncertainty, which leads to more stress. There are five life events that create the most stress for people…death, divorce, major illness, job loss, and MOVING. Even if moving is a happy thing, it is stressful. If you combine any of those first four stressors with moving…you need to make sure you take care of yourself.
Moving is stressful whether you are moving across the street, or to a whole new state. No matter what, it disrupts your routine and you have LOTS of details to worry about, no matter how many people you hire to help you. It is important to take steps to reduce your stress right from the beginning. Blowing your top, falling into a weeping puddle, or ignoring the move and everything that needs to be done are NOT helpful. Keep reading for a few tips on how to manage your stress through a move.
Know your timeline so you can plan, put it in writing so you can see it. Once you have a move date, you know your timeline. If you didn’t go through your house and get rid of items you don’t want to move before this point, NOW is the time to do it. Do it first. If you don’t take items to donate or get rid of out of the picture right at the beginning, you risk running out of time and packing them! Then guess what, you STILL have to deal with them in your next house! So do this first…it starts the whole process of emptying out the closets and going through the contents.
Pack at least one box every day. If you have to pack yourself up, like most of us do, you CAN’T procrastinate. You need to start packing stuff up every day. I find leaving the packing for the weekend is just too much. If you have been in your house for any length of time, or if you didn’t purge before you packed the last time you moved, chances are you have WAY more stuff than you think! The earlier you get started, the more time you will have to deal with the real situation, and not the one you are imagining. So often DAYS before the house is supposed to be clear people realize how much trouble they are in…and they start getting rid of things just because they don’t want to pack them.
Schedule movers. Especially if you are over 40. I am allowed to say this as I am very much over 40 myself. So often our mental image of ourselves doesn’t age along with our bodies…that is why we get shocked when we happen to see ourselves in the mirror sometimes. Unless you are in great physical shape, or young, moving your whole house into a truck and then back out again is TOO MUCH. I have seen this mistake made more times than I can count…and it turns into a panic situation of trying to find people to help. It is so much easier if you just plan to spend the money on movers, and have them do the heavy lifting.
Schedule your utilities on and off online as soon as possible…and keep them on a couple of days longer than you think you will need them. Occasionally closings are delayed…you really don’t want your electricity and water turning off while you wait over the weekend for your house to close on Monday. Get your internet and TV scheduled, your mail forwarded ….everything well in advance of needing it. It is much less stressful for you if everything is in your new home ready to use as soon as you move in. HERE is a handy list of sites and phone numbers for you to get this done.
If you have children, get them involved in the move. This way they can maybe feel some control of their circumstances. Have them help pack their stuff. If they are ready to donate some of their stuff they can set that aside and make that choice, which helps them let go of their stuff. Talk to your child about their new room…now that they are older maybe something in the room can be adjusted to their new age…like a desk can be added for homework, (Boo!) or you will let them choose the color to paint it. Take a moment to talk to your child or children about saying goodbye to your current home, especially if you have been there for a while. This way on the last day in the home you can keep the mood light with blowing kisses goodbye and excitement for the new home. It might even help if you can have the kids spend the actual moving day NOT with you. You will be overwhelmed and busy, and they will feel insecure as their house is being emptied. Arranging this BEFORE that day can be very helpful.
If YOU are sad about leaving your home, know that this is normal. Maybe you brought your children home to that house, or you have lots of happy memories there. You may adore your neighbors, maybe you planted the trees that are now so gorgeous. Take the time to reflect on all of the good memories and positive things the house holds for you, and say goodbye. Hopefully your next home is what you can focus on and make your new home instead of feeling sad about what you are leaving behind.
Pets should be planned for BEFORE moving day. Just like you, they will be feeling stressed. They don’t understand what is happening to their home…and they could be scared. When animals get scared, sometimes they run. You don’t want to be searching the neighborhood you are moving from for your terrified dog or cat. Also remember when the movers are there, the front door will most likely be left open. If you think it is possible your animal might bolt, be sure to plan for this. If you are moving nearby maybe you could take the animals to the new home. That way you can lock them in. Or if there is a friend or family member that could take them that could make it easier.
Just a little bit of planning and organization is all that is needed to really reduce your stress and make the move manageable. Plan a day to do something special once it is over….a day at the spa, a day golfing, hiking , yoga…or a day on the couch in front of the TV guilt free. Know that you made it through a difficult thing, and you are a rock star!
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