Moving house is notoriously stressful – even more stressful than childbirth or divorce, according to some surveys. Whether or not it really is quite that bad, it’s something that everyone finds difficult, but why is this the case?
This is actually quite an important question, because if you find yourself armed with the answers, you’ll know what to do to limit that stress. With that in mind, these are a few of the main stress-causing factors of moving home, from the financial side of things to the challenges of uprooting your daily life.
The financial aspect
One of the biggest stress factors associated with moving home is the financial side of things. Very few of us have much money to spare these days, and moving home can be pretty pricey.
Not only will you potentially have to pay for two properties at the same time for a month or so, if you’re renting, but you’ll also need to pay for all sorts of services, and potentially take time off work as well.
If possible, it’s worth trying to either limit the financial burden, or time the move to happen when you have a bit more cash to spare. This won’t always be possible, but if you can, it’ll limit the stress of the move somewhat.
Biting off more than you can chew
Another big cause of stress associated with moving home is biting off more than you can chew. It’s easy to think that you can do most of the move on your own, and it’s true – with enough time and no other life responsibilities, you probably could.
In the real world, however, you still need to go to work, potentially look after your kids, and will need to get the actual move done in a relatively short amount of time. To limit the stress, get help from services like Bright Movers – you don’t have to do it alone, and you probably shouldn’t even try.
Uprooting your daily life
When you move home, you’re not just moving your stuff – you’re also removing yourself from a familiar environment, and the routines that you’ve built in that space. While this also brings about the opportunity to explore a new environment and find new routines, it can still be a big cause of stress.
Losing that local bench in the park you sit on when you’re stressed, or the local cafe where half the regulars know you by name can feel like a big thing. It takes time to build up these connections, and it’s understandable to be stressed by the idea of losing them all and having to build new connections afresh.
If you’re stressed at the idea of moving home, that’s perfectly reasonable. While you can take action to limit that stress, it’s also important to accept that the move will be at least somewhat disruptive as well. Make space for yourself to feel these things, and be kind to yourself: if it feels like a big deal, that’s probably because it is.
