Everybody knows that feeling; the one that says you’re being uprooted from the group of friends you’ve spent your whole life with, moving to a place where you don’t know anyone. Let’s be honest: it’s no picnic.
The good news is that, as with everything else in life, moving to a new place has less to do with logistics and practicalities, and more with attitude. By taking a few simple steps to help you stay focused and raise your spirits, you can be ready for the adventure of relocating.
Here are 7 tips for getting yourself mentally prepared:
1. Know why you’re moving
To help get you through the fewer-friends-and-more-strangers phase, it’s helpful to remember why you’re moving in the first place.
2. Find out more about the area where you’re moving to
There are many great ways to research your new surroundings on the Internet, and you can save yourself a lot of time and energy by learning a little before you move so that you can start settling in as soon as possible.
3. Give yourself plenty of time to pack up your belongings
Generally, you should give yourself at least two months to prepare yourself. The kind of life you want to live in the new city or neighborhood will determine how much time you need to spend packing and unpacking your things. Transporting furniture doesn’t have to be very expensive. There are many companies offering furniture shipping services that will provide a quote.
4. Don’t procrastinate
This is the worst thing to do with life-changing events, even if it’s just moving across town. Procrastination breeds negative thoughts and makes the move seem like a big deal worth fretting over. Instead, start packing a few weeks in advance so you’ll be ready on moving day.
5. Get some exercise
Physical activity can put you in a positive mood and give you a sense of accomplishment. Plus, exercising will divert your focus from your fear of the unknown. Just be sure not to overdo it; research shows that working out too much before an event actually increases your chances of feeling anxious about the day of travel or relocation itself.
6. Get in touch with old friends
Emails and phone calls can be the best way to catch up before you move. Studies show that maintaining close personal relationships can help people deal with stress—and feeling connected to people you love is one of the best parts of moving on to a new place.
7. Photograph the old neighborhood
Take pictures of good and bad places where you’ve lived before, so you don’t forget them.
Bring some pictures with you or post them on your phone to look at during the trip or when you first get to the new place. Then, if you start feeling homesick, just pull out your phone and be instantly transported back home in your mind’s eye!
Relocating can be very stressful, but with the right attitude, it can also be a new beginning for you. So don’t freak out; just take it one step at a time!
Last Updated on October 13, 2023 by admin