Change: Moving to a New Place
Introduction:
(Note: take a shot every time I use the word “change” in this post)
Change can be hard, but lucky for us we are human. Humans were created to learn and adapt to their surroundings; we’re built for survival. With that in mind, it is also true that some people adapt faster (or better) than others. There are some of us that struggle with change. I normally am ok with change. Change is exciting, and refreshing to me (usually). This time around, though, change was more of a challenge. My husband and I moved back to our hometown recently. It’s a big change for us, because we are now closer to friends, family, and our church. We have also moved from an apartment into an actual house (SUCH a nice change, let me tell you!) Before we lived in a town where we did not have active lives in. In this post today, I will be talking to you about how I mentally dealt with change.
(Disclaimer: I do not have any diagnosed mental illnesses. I do however have bad mental health days semi-frequently.)
- Identify Your Constants
Stability is the key to getting through the early stages of a major change of location. To remind yourself of things that are still the same, like the music you listen to at the old location. Finishing a book or a show you started in the old location is another way to promote consistency.
- Set Up a Comfort Area the First Night
One of the first things I did my first night at our new place was, set up a place of comfort. I set up two locations (since it is my Husband and I), the couch/living room and the bedroom. I made sure there was a place to sit, a place to put our things down, and blankets to use. Moving is stressful, and the last thing I wanted was to feel out of place. Even if I didn’t read, it was nice to have my current read close by. Pinpointing a place to charge my phone nearby helped as well. Get comfy, you have time to accomplish everything else later.
- Create a New Routine
Now, this next point is really for anyone who is like me. There are those who do not cope well with doing new routines, so if this idea makes you uncomfortable just move on to the next one!
Something that makes things a little easier for me, is doing something I didn’t do at the last place. In this circumstance, I used to be “stranded” at whatever apartment we were in. I couldn’t do much, so I had to make do with staying at home all the time (when I wasn’t at work). It wasn’t an ideal mental health situation. Now, though, I am able to leave my home and do a lot more. Things such as go to the library, post office, used bookstore, downtown in general, friends and family’s homes, go to my Alma Mater football games, take my dog on a walk and more. It’s nice to have more freedom that I did before. This doesn’t mean I leave the house all the time, it just means I have the option to, and it’s freeing to even have that. Try something new in your everyday life, or even implement something you used to do that gave you joy. It’s your life, do what you want when you don’t have to do what’s needed.
- Verbally Process Everything with Someone/Squad
I’m blessed enough to have a group of people to rely on every day. We use (multiple) group chats every day, and it’s been literally life changing to be connected to them like that. During every part of moving they were there to support me during it. The stress and anxiety of moving can be overwhelming sometimes, and that’s perfectly normal. Even someone like me that is type 1, type A personality struggles with big stuff. Whenever I was feeling overwhelmed with all the change that was happening I would tell them. They wasted no time in showing support and giving words of encouragement. It made it a difference! I went from emotionally derailing, to a calm and controlled state. All because I voiced what I was feeling, and asked for help. So make a group chat, and connect! Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and ask for help. That’s friends are for!
Thank you so much for reading! I would love to chat with you in the comment section. What are some things you do to overcome the stress of a lot of change? I have a new post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! Connect with me on social media! I’m @StarAsphodel on Twitter!