Take it from someone who has moved 13 times in 23 years, there are ways to deal with a move. Moving can be scary and may seem unfair, especially if you have no say in the matter. Considering that I’m basically a pro at moving by now, here are some ways to deal with a move that have helped me.
One of the best ways to deal with a move is to rest assured that everything is going to be OK. Even if it feels like your life is coming to an end and you don’t know how to handle all the emotions, I promise you that everything will be OK … everything happens for a reason. Think of this new move as a new chapter of your exciting and beautiful life!
Acceptance is key; be open for the change. Sitting in your room pouting or yelling at your parents or complaining about the situation will not do any good. It can seem scary to accept a new change in your life, especially if you’ve been living in the same place for years. Coach yourself through the process and even if you need to lie to yourself at first, tell yourself you’re ready and willing for a new change.
Just like at the end of any relationship, give your heart some time to grieve and cry out all of your roller coaster emotions. Breaking up with a boyfriend, school, friend, or even home can be tough … trust me, I know. I’ve been there, done that several times. Allow your emotions to feel – once it’s out of your system, you will feel better.
Saying goodbye to friends will be the most challenging part of moving. But just because you’re moving doesn’t mean you can no longer talk with your friends! It just means you’ll now have friends in a different state or town. Keeping connections with friends will give you the peace of mind you’ll be seeking to move forward to your new home.
How many shirts and pairs of jeans do you have from middle school? High school? Moving can be a great and exciting new journey to organize and de-clutter your wardrobe and your room. It’s a chance for you to get rid of all the old stuff and get new stuff, a time to reinvent yourself and move forward.
Throughout the whole process of moving, it’s important to find your happy place. If drawing has always been a way to cope, draw out your feelings; if writing has always been your artistic form of expression, keep a journal to talk about your experiences and your feelings; if music has always given you comfort and peace, surround yourself with your tunes. Getting in tune with what makes you happy will be a great and powerful way to deal with a move. For me, it’s always been writing. I’ve had journals and diaries since I was in middle school. Each book describes my journey during a move – writing was such a great way to connect with myself and get through things.
Another powerful way to deal with a move is to travel with a few things that have sentimental value. Keeping an item with you that means the most to you will remind you of where you came from and will give you a sense of pride. Once you’ve officially moved to your new home, the item that traveled with you will always comfort you. For me it’s been my stuffed animal Luna – she’s a black cat that I bought in 6th grade. Luna has traveled everywhere with me and she brings me a feeling of love and security.
No matter where you live, every new house will become and feel like home soon enough. Personally, I feel as though I’ve matured with each move. I believe everything in life has a season, including homes and friends. It’s healthy to get out there in the world and see new things and meet new people. The priceless experiences will mold you and prepare you for your future. How have you dealt with a move? If you’re going through a move right now, what is helping you cope?