While moving is indeed a fact of life for the bulk of the population, the psychology behind moving rarely gets a lot of attention. So let’s look at why you may feel a slight ache in your heart when it’s time to transition, how frequent moving can affect your emotional health, and how to get through a challenging move.
Why Moving Can Be an Emotional Event
As humans, we are emotional creatures, which means we grow emotionally attached to our surroundings. This explains why what starts as just a house eventually starts to feel like home. So much so that when we leave what we know as home due to a move, the experience can bring along a bit of emotional disruption. You may go through a short grief period, according to psychologists. Likewise, the fear of the unknown can come along with new surroundings and encourage anxiety.
Moving Comes With Challenges and Benefits
While some emotional aspects of moving can be challenging, moving can also bring a few benefits. For example, a transition can bring a new opportunity to declutter for some people, which is markedly good for emotional well-being. In addition, having an organized, clutter-free space may be associated with better mental health.
In homes that may not have held the most lovely memories, a move can also feel a lot more like a fresh start. Relocating, albeit anxiety-inducing at first, can offer a chance to refocus your life, meet new people, and even have new experiences. You can also let go of environmental reminders of what negative experiences you may have lived through in the past.
Frequent Movers Are Less Likely to Be Partial to Stuff and Relationships
Some people are forced to relocate more than usual, whether it is due to their career or financial difficulties. While people who move more frequently can be more at risk of psychological distress, they are usually less partial to their tangible possessions. Likewise, people who move more regularly may be less likely to have strong connections to other people.
On the plus side, frequent movers also tend to have stronger memories than people who rarely move at all. Psychologists theorize that this is because life events get a more impressive backdrop associated with a move. For example, a person may recall that they bought a particular outfit right when they moved to a new place or remember dates easily because they can be associated with one of their moving transitions.
Tips to Make a Move Easier On Your Emotional Health
- Don’t forget to take time to rest and relax; moving can get stressful, and a little R&R can do a lot of good
- Enlist the help of your loved ones for emotional support if you’re struggling
- Make plans to make new memories at the new house as soon as possible (i.e., host a family dinner or have friends over for drinks)
Need Support Through Your Move? Get Professional Movers Involved
Moving can be a challenge both physically and emotionally. Sometimes, having a little help can make all the difference. If you face a challenging move, reach out to us, and we will discuss how we can take some of the stress out of the transition.
