Whether you’ve moved several times or you’re a total newbie, moving is stressful. It is so much more than packing and unpacking. And for many people, the thought that a serious change is on the horizon can be practically debilitating. Keep reading to find how to reduce stress while moving to a new city.
Another piece of the stress pie comes with the idea of so many unknowns. Moving often comes with job changes as well as school changes. Friends are left behind, and the fear of loneliness creeps in. If you have to move because of job changes, but your house isn’t selling, financial anxiety becomes very real.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce your stress when moving to a new city.
Organize Your Packing
Once you realize that you are moving, you should develop your plan before you become overwhelmed with the process. When your mind is fresh, create the plan, beginning in a part of your home or apartment that you use the least. Figure out where you are going to put the boxes as you pack items. Do not forget to label everything you pack, so you can find it later.
Organize Your Stuff
According to NDMS, another step that can be stressful is to organize your things. If you have the time, you can reduce the amount of stuff you have to pack by organizing your things into three piles:
- Keep
- Donate
- Dispose
These piles will reduce your workload in the long run. You will have less to pack, and less to unpack. Your new home will have less stuff, and that just feels good. Deciding how to sort into those piles is up to you. Some people will use a one-year rule to decide whether to keep something or not. If you haven’t touched it in a year or more, then do you really need to move it to your new home and not touch it there?
Be Kind To Yourself
As you are moving, self-kindness matters. When you begin planning, pick a spot to not pack up immediately. It should be a place with your favorite chair and everything else you love to have around you. This spot will be one of the last ones that you move because you need to have a comfortable place in your home.
Even though you are moving to a new city, you should still do things you enjoy. Your free time will be filled with moving activities, but those activities should not consume your time. If you plan your packing, you should have time to do the things you enjoy. If you cannot find time for fun, you will certainly be overwhelmed with stress before the process is finished.
Don’t Try to Pack in One Day
If you wait until the last minute and try to pack in one day, you will become extremely overwhelmed. Unless you have a small apartment with barely anything in it, you will most likely have difficulty getting the job done. Packing for a move is more than just putting things in boxes. You have to be sure your fragile items are wrapped properly. You also have to consider the weight of the boxes, so you can move them.
Save the Important Stuff for Last
There are some items you should save until the last day. Those are items like important papers, medication, and the things you need to get ready for the day. But don’t wait until the last day to gather them together. Put the important papers in a place that you will remember. Keep your medications in one spot. Put your daily necessities in a place where you will remember, too.
Take Time To Be With Your Friends
If you are moving to a new city, it might be a while before you see your friends. Because of this, you should schedule a time to hang out with your friends so you can say your good-byes. This will not be easy, but it should be done.
Build a To-Do List for Your New City
Take time to look into the fun opportunities near your new home. Plan to check out a few of them when you are unpacking. Having something to look forward to can be a stress-reliever. Having boxes sitting around the house can be stress-inducing, so figure out some balance that will work for your needs. Maybe the first places you should check out are restaurants, as you still have to eat when unpacking in your new home.
Accept the Emotions
Emotions will arise, and the healthy thing to do is to accept them, feel them, and move on. If you stew on your emotions, you will not be able to enjoy the process. For example, if you are sad that you are going to move away from your friends, feel sad. Cry. Grieve. But, stay aware of what is happening around you. Packing and moving must get done, and your emotions will not change that.
