What are the mental challenges of moving

Relocating from one place to another is usually a very physically-intense activity. However, the mental challenges of moving shouldn’t be underestimated, either. You are expected to keep a calm head on your shoulders throughout the relocation process. Needless to say, this is usually much easier said than done. Even if you are working with top rated moving companies, you can be sure that there will be a lot of stress coming your way. And when you add the financial issues, and relationship problems into the mix, all of it can get rather overwhelming. The only way that you can be prepared for the entire process is to fully understand the mental challenge that is in front of you. In this article, we will break down the most common mental challenges that relocation will put in front of you, so you can prepare accordingly.

The mental challenges of moving

Every individual views a relocation in their own way. However, when faced with relocation, most people will experience mental difficulties that have something to do with the following factors:

• Change
• Finances
• Stress
• Relationships

Then there’s the added mental effort that comes with simply finding a good mover. The fact of the matter is that if you want to research and compare moving companies, you need to devote a considerable number of hours to it. As you might imagine, this adds to the mental fatigue that relocation will inevitably bring. The best thing to do, however, is to start as early as possible. Give your mind enough time to recuperate from one task before you set it to another. You might also want to utilize every advantage you can get. You can find many of the best moving companies right here, at Consumer Opinion Guide, for example. By taking advantage of someone else’s research, the time that you may need for your own can be considerably shorter.

Every one of the mental challenges of moving can be made easier with some preparation, in fact. By knowing what you can expect, and what will be going on, you will be in a better situation to adapt. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most common mental challenges relocation might put in front of you.

The impact of change

Many people are not comfortable with the prospect of change. Some people may even develop an anxiety disorder due to change. Moving to a new neighborhood alone can induce numerous negative thoughts and feelings. Let alone moving to another state. What you need to understand is that change is inevitable and that you will be able to adapt. No matter what you may think, human beings are extremely adaptable to almost any changes in their lives. Yes, it might seem overwhelming at first but it gets much easier as time passes.

However, there are times when change induces strong feelings of anxiety and all but stops you from focusing on the relocation process. What you may want to do is consider visiting a professional therapist and scheduling a therapy session. At the very least, your therapist might be able to prescribe you some medications that will make the process much easier to cope with. Or they might be able to get you in the right mindset and help you relocate with fewer symptoms. Either way, seeking professional help when you really need it is never a bad thing.

Finances

Relocations can get really costly, especially if you are planning a long distance move. First, there are moving company fees to consider, which are far from “cheap”. Then you need to account for all the things your new home will require, as well as additional costs that the relocation will inevitably place in front of you. Juggling your finances is stressful enough even without having to account for the relocation costs. For some people, taking care of their finances is one of the most difficult mental challenges of moving.

Then there’s another problem to consider. In your pursuit of lowering relocation costs, you might consider some unknown moving companies. And by doing so, open yourself up for common moving scams. Needless to say, if you fall victim to a moving scam, the mental challenges of moving will increase significantly. Perhaps even to the “boiling point”.

Juggling your relocating budget with your everyday needs is highly stressful. The issue, however, is the fact that this is just one of the things that will induce stress.

Dealing with financial issues

Luckily, there are ways in which you can make your move cost less. First, you may want to explore some of the money-saving tips when hiring movers. Second, if you start early enough, you can get most of the moving supplies for free or at a bargain price. What you need to do is start researching local “pass-it-forward” groups, whose aim is to help people in such situations. With enough time, you will be able to find all the moving boxes you may require, as well as assorted packing supplies.

Furthermore, you can also get in touch with your social circle and ask for their help. By having your friends and family help you with the moving process, you will be able to hire fewer services from professional movers.

Stress is one of the most important mental challenges of moving

Moving is one of the more stressful things that an individual can go through in their lifetime. While it is not exactly on par with the loss of a loved one, moving is more stressful than a divorce, according to a recent study by OnePoll. This is an inevitable part of the moving process, unfortunately, and the only thing you can do about it is to be prepared. Understand that you will get stressed out from time to time, and allow yourself some time to “get away” from it all.

What you want to do is make sure that you have enough time for yourself. While moving from one place to another comes with numerous necessary activities, there is always time for some rest and relaxation. If you start “firing on all cylinders” and keep at it for a prolonged period of time, you may be mentally exhausted halfway in the process. And that will, in turn, present you with even more stress.

Try not to neglect your hobbies and fun activities, either. They are an excellent way of “blowing off some steam”. And you will need to relax and partake in a fun activity, that’s for certain.

Relationships

Perhaps one of the most difficult mental challenges of moving is the fact that the relationships you have are suddenly going to become a lot more difficult. And the fact that you will need to form new ones. This is especially difficult if you are moving for the first time. For some people, relationships do not come easily, and they might feel their loss quite heavily. The prospect of needing to form new relationships can be exceptionally frightening on its own.

The best way to deal with this issue is to create lasting memories with your social circle. Therefore, you will want to make sure to leave some time for fun group activities. Go visit your favorite places, take pictures, say proper goodbyes, that sort of thing. Also, while you may be moving to another location, that does not mean that your relationships are over. Not by a long shot. You can still chat and hang out with your friends and family via video calls, and there should be ample visiting opportunities in the future.

How to ease the transition

While the mental challenges of moving can be rather scary, there are ways in which you can ease the transition. Here are some of the examples:

• Give your emotions enough time
• Break down the process into manageable chunks
• Create a sorting system
• Plan ahead
• Include your family and friends in the planning process

Giving your emotions enough time

It is alright to reminisce. Your emotions need time to sort themselves out, and you do not want to stifle them in any way. Spend some time writing down the great memories from your old home. By doing so, you will start accepting that the change is about to happen and that you are alright with it. Do not neglect what you are feeling, let it all out. That is the best way to overcome further mental challenges that moving will present.

Breaking down the process

If you look at the moving process as one huge thing to handle, you are going to be stressed out much more. Instead, try to break down the whole process into manageable “chunks”. For example, you can create a system where you do moving-related stuff in 2-hour blocks at any given time. No more, no less. That way, you will be able to process what is going on instead of being caught in a “hurricane”.

Sorting system

A sorting system can help you create order from chaos. If you run around the house and make multiple decisions at the same time, chances are that you are going to forget at least something of what you’ve decided. The best thing to do is to create a detailed moving checklist, as well as prepare some stickers for your items. That way, when you go around deciding what to keep, throw away, or donate, you will be able to simply slap a sticker and not worry about it anymore.

Most of the mental challenges of moving are about the fact that your mind is going to be overwhelmed with information. By committing more of that information on paper (or on your smartphone or tablet, for example), you will find that the relocation process is much more manageable.

Planning ahead

As soon as you realize that you need to relocate, start planning ahead. While this may be a significant mental challenge on its own, it is best to start as early as possible. By making a detailed plan, you will leave out most of the uncertainty that comes with the moving process. That uncertainty is what will bring the most stress, after all, and it is in your best interest to minimize it. Start by taking a look at some of the moving trends in 2022, for example. By taking a look at what people find most interesting about relocations, you may be able to get yourself in a better mindset.

You may also want to gather as much moving information as you can, especially if this is your first time relocating. Read up on moving tips and tricks and learn from other people’s experiences. The more time you invest in the planning process, the easier the relocation will be. Also:

Mental challenges of moving are easier with friends&family by your side

Challenges are easier if you have someone to share them with. Therefore, you will want to get in touch with your “inner circle” and ask them for help. Even if you don’t need them to do anything, their presence alone can be extremely important. A joke here, a laugh there can make the entire prospect much more manageable. Try to surround yourself with positive people, too. People that can provide you with “positive energy“. You will need as much of it as you can get to overcome the mental challenges of moving, after all.

Moving from one place to another is greatly influenced by the choice of your moving company. If you want to find the best movers in the country, as well as numerous other moving tips and tricks, all you need to do is browse the rest of the Consumer Opinion Guide. We are there to help you make the most out of your relocation process!