Relocating to a different city can be refreshing and exciting, and can give you the chance to start anew. However, it can also be stressful, scary, and depressing, especially if you are moving away from family and friends.
Here are a few tips on how to make the move a little less stressful:
Declutter and Organize. If you haven’t used it or worn it in the last six months, don’t take it with you. Have a garage sale or donate the items.
Wrap kitchen supplies with other kitchen supplies, and label the outside of the box “kitchen” so that when it comes to unpacking, you know which boxes need to go to which room. Don’t just throw odds and ends together in a box because you think it will make packing go faster. It will only make unpacking more stressful and more time-consuming. The more organized you are, the more likely that your move will go smooth.
Here is a helpful schedule for planning your move.
Say Goodbye. Allow yourself time to say goodbye. Have a get-together, or invite your friends and family out for dinner. Visit your favorite spots in town, and remember the good times you had there. This will also help with the transition from the old to the new and give yourself some much needed time to enjoy the moment.
Talk About Visits. If you are moving away from family, talk about how many times you will come back to visit and how often you’d like for them to come visit. Set up Skype, and familiarize yourself with FaceTime (if you have an iPhone). That way, you can still see your family and friends as often as you’d like. Skype is a great way for your kids to see their grandparents after the move.
Don’t Forget About You. Stress and anxiety may result in negligence of your own needs. It’s important to remember not to sacrifice your health in order to have additional time to get more work done. Instead of subjecting yourself to less sleep, junk food, or outbursts of frustration, ask for help.Make sure you take good care of yourself.
Sit Down as a Family. If you have children that have started school and made friends, it might be difficult for them to make the move. A new school and new classmates can be scary. Sit down with them and explain why you are moving, why it’s okay to be scared, and how you will work through the scary times together.
Moving away from family and friends can be difficult. It can lead to sadness, anxiety attacks, and depression. If you’ve suffered from any of these before, it’s a good idea to go see your therapist before your move. They can help you with the transition.
If you’d like to set up a time to meet up with Reka, you can contact her by phone at 402-881-8125, by email at reka@omaha-counseling.com, or via Twitter or Facebook.
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photo credit: before the pack via photopin (license)
