New home, new life. What a time to be alive. You’ve likely been planning this day for a while now, a future vision of you and a dream home. Maybe you’re moving to start a new job, or getting a place with the partner of your dreams. Perhaps you’re thinking of downsizing for your retirement. Either way, only one thing stands between you and your happy future. Yes, that’s right, you’ve first got to move.
At IMC we know all too well the stress that moving home can bring, that’s why we’ve put together a compact guide to help reduce the stress of the next big step. Please, read on. Before you know it you’ll be ready to roll. Just know that when you do go, we’ll miss you.
Change Perspective
To put into perspective just how dreaded the switch is, a recent Which poll found that changing jobs, getting married and even having a child were all less stressful than moving home. However, a large part of this is the associated anxiety that comes with moving to a new location and losing an anchor point in your life. Instead of looking at it as a loss of what you have now, think of it as an endless array of opportunities – new friends, new career prospects, a space to do with as you wish and stories waiting to be told. These are only a fraction of the possibilities open to you; thinking of a scene change through this lens can turn something that seems daunting into a truly exciting new chapter. Embrace it!
Manage the load
We know that moving home is a time of huge upheaval, with lots to do and arrange. That’s why it’s important to try and clear your schedule around the time of the move. Arranging time off work and securing childcare can help to prevent burnout, plus give you well deserved time to recharge. Likewise, give yourself plenty of time. Nothing says stress like a last-minute flurry through piles of belongings.
Lose the baggage
Taking time to go through your belongings and sorting out what you don’t actually need is a great way to realign your focus as well as reducing the physical load of moving. Eminent Japanese psychologist and declutterer June Saruwatari recommends asking a core set of questions when it comes to deciding what possessions to keep and which to give away; “Do you honestly need this item? Do you love it? Does it have some sort of significance in your life? And does it serve a purpose?” If the answer is no, let it go. Indeed, letting go of items that do not have a positive impact on your life is a great way of reducing stress and drawing a line behind negative aspects of your life.
Be Prepared
One helpful piece of advice is to create a moving day ‘survival box’, containing all the personal items you might need on the day of the move itself. It often goes forgotten but having a readily accessible point for snacks, water, phone chargers and entertainment can make all the difference when you can’t be bothered to rummage through piles of boxes at the end of the day.
Get to know the area
By taking time out to get acquainted with your new neighbourhood you automatically reduce the stress of moving there. After all, it already feels like home! As well as the anxiety-reducing benefits, scouting out a new area can help you to identify the best local shops and amenities, perfect for when you need to restock on the essentials.
Get the right help
A problem shared is a problem halved. Getting the right expertise on-board can make a world of difference, whether that’s helping you start a new mortgage or simply transferring your existing one. At IMC we’re aware of the hassle that moving home can become, that’s why our trained specialists are more than happy to sit and discuss how they can help make your move as smooth as possible. At the end of the day, the details shouldn’t get in the way of a new adventure. As they say “Home is not a place…it’s a feeling.” We agree, and we want it to be the best one possible.