Surviving the Stress of Moving

By Susan Miller, Just Moved Ministries

If you have recently moved, or will be moving in the near future, let me encourage your heart. From one who has traveled the road of stress from relocating 14 times, I know the emotional journey ahead of you. I also know that  moving will affect every area of your life.

It can bring change to your marriage, parenting, and friendships. It can interrupt the rhythm and routine of your life. Moving is more than loading and unloading your possessions. It’s as if you are packing your whole life in brown boxes. You are leaving behind everything familiar to face the unknown. You lose a sense of community and connectedness. You can even lose a sense of self in the maze of moving.

Perhaps you could use some hope and encouragement to get through the major impact of a move. This three-step process not only helped me survive, but also thrive through transition.

It all began with the CHOICE to either be open or closed to change.

The First Step

I had to choose to let go and trust God. I had to make the choice to cherish, and not cling to anything or anyone that would keep me from starting over and moving forward with my life. Cherish the friends, community and connections you are leaving behind.

Cling to God, His promises, prayer, and your faith.

The Second Step

Choose to start over with hope and begin the process of putting down roots again. (Even if I didn’t want to start over!) Until I accepted the reality of having to start all over again, I couldn’t be ready to move forward with my life.

The Third Step

Choose to move forward with faith. It was time to come full circle with my move, put aside my pity party, and begin to live above my circumstances. I needed to trust God for all the unknowns, put my hope in Him and not my circumstances, and cling to my faith as my anchor each day.

I know what you are thinking, “How will I begin to put down roots in this unfamiliar place, and start all over again?”

Make an intentional choice, as hard as it might be, to get involved with other people. Go for a walk in the neighborhood. Join a Bible study, an aerobics class, a cooking class, or a book club (any activity of interest). Volunteer in your community, church, or school. Reach out to someone who, like yourself, needs a friend. In time, your last box will be unpacked, the world around you will become familiar, your family will settle in, and you will begin to call this new place your home.

To encourage you on your journey, try these practical steps to smooth the bumpy road ahead.

• Stop and smell the flowers along the way. Take time to be good to yourself! Schedule some self-care by taking a break to rest, restore and renew your mind and body.
• Ask for help. Don’t be the “lone ranger” and feel like you have to do it alone. Let others be a part of the relocation process with you.
• When the heat is up, stay cool. When stress is rising and the pressure is on, keep a sense of humor and be flexible.
• It’s okay to cry if you want to. With change, comes loss and grieving. Your release valve may be tears.
• Some things you just have to do. And, having closure with people and places you care about is one of them. So often in the busyness of tasks, we forget to say goodbye in a meaningful way.
• Rise to the occasion. Stretch beyond your comfort zone. Embrace the changes this move brings as an opportunity to learn and grow personally.
• Take one day, one step at a time. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your house won’t be settled in a day either. Don’t lose heart and don’t give up!
• Don’t sweat the little things. Something always seems to get broken, lost, or damaged in transition. Keep perspective. Remember, they are just things.
• Join up and join in. Raise your hand, and say yes! It’s the first step to meet people, and make friends.
• Be a tourist. Take a break and tour the local area. Google what to see and places to go in your city, or town.  Make it an adventure with your children.

Remember, God’s presence will never leave you. You are not alone in this move. He accompanies you, has gone before you, and will be waiting for you with open arms.

For more tips, visit Susan at Just Moved Ministries