I packed and moved my life 10 minutes east over the course of 12 months. Yes, it took me 12 months to move. But it wasn’t by accident. It was by very intentional design. Moving is said to be one of the most stressful activities that someone will encounter in their lifetime. And with that in mind, I decided to own the chaos, plan ahead and push through a season of extreme stress with, dare I say it?, ease.
When you move, your entire life feels like it has been turned upside down and you’re living in an alternative universe until you can get back to a state of normalcy. It’s okay to feel a little bit cucko-for-cocoa puffs during this time, but I promise, it won’t last forever. There are a few things that I’ve done during my recent move that helps ease this transition and make me feel a little bit normal.
Keep a routine
Not only is keeping a routine good if you have any furry friends in your house, but it can also provide you with some much needed grounding in a time where everything feels a little bit insane. Try to wake and sleep at the same time. Eat meals as consistently as you can and keep the same boundaries that you kept at your previous home. If you didn’t bring your phone to bed, keep it that way. If you watched a movie before you went to sleep, keep that routine. It will help your body adjust more quickly to a changing environment.
Unpack when you can
I might be a little bit crazy about this one, but unpack as quickly as you can. Know it is not a race, but unpacking and getting back to a state of homeostasis as quickly as you can does wonders for your body’s regulatory system. When you get rid of the clutter, trash, boxes, and chaos, it can help you feel settled and rooted in your new home.
If you can’t unpack, add in your own grounding items.
If unpacking at an expedited rate feels impossible or infeasible for you, try to unpack a few items that will keep you grounded. It might be a family photo, a beloved blanket, or having your technology in place. These items can help return yourself to a state of normalcy and can help you nest a little bit quicker even though there are boxes scattered about.
Make your meals at home
I don’t know how everyone else does it, but when we moved, we ate out the entire week. We had snacks for breakfast, leftovers for lunch and then did takeout in the evening. As unsustainable as it is, it worked for the time being. But as quickly as it started, we finished the takeout orders. First and foremost, we don’t typically eat out frequently. Doing so was outside of our routine (see tip #1) and we wanted to return to our normal habits as quickly as possible. Also, there is something strangely grounding and nesting about breaking in a new kitchen. It’s where the hearth of your home is and breaking bread together is a great way to break in the new home.
Pace yourselves
Lastly, practicing grace with yourself is paramount to making a move filled with chaos and crazy. Everything is not going to happen at once, and that is okay. A good thing I like to do to make sure that I keep up a good pace is that I scheduled a house warming party 1-2 months out of the move. Send out invites, make it permanent. That way, you have a goal, an end date and then you can pace yourself leading up to that date.
BONUS Tip
Unpack the necessities, hide the rest. Closets and cabinets will be your new best friend as you slowly purge and organize your life. But by unpacking the needed and necessary, you’ll be able to feel a bit like home from day 1.
