Fear of moving house (how to get over it, now!)

How to overcome moving anxiety .

I adore my house and where I live; not to be dramatic, but it’s given me everything: a career, friends, stability; it’s my safe haven.

Despite our fear of moving house, my husband and I still want to move. As much as I love our house, it was always going to be a stepping stone for us; property development is in our ‘big plan’.

As excited as I am about somewhere new to jazz up AND another adventure, the thought of leaving my home is still…sad.

I look around my house and think: ‘am I really ready to give all this up for more wallpaper stripping, bathroom tiling and kitchen building?’

Of course, the answer is YES, but I can’t help but wonder sometimes.

Why am I scared of moving house: is it normal?

According to Nature Communications, uncertainty is really stressful for us humans; it can trigger acute stress and moving house is certainly…uncertain; it’s a big shift, even if you hate where you’re living currently or just moving up the road, it can be one of the biggest changes you’ll ever make.

Fear of the unknown is scary (which is where fear of moving house comes from); people like routine and comfort; they’re hard-wired to resist change in order to stay safe and protected – basically, when life is predictable, we feel less stressed.

It’s totally normal to be scared of moving house, most people will be apprehensive and feel anxious about the big move, but if you’re finding the fear debilitating, then it could be metathesiophobia (the fear of change). If you suspect this is the case then it’s best to seek help from a medical professional.

How do I get over my fear of relocating?

Here are some tips to help you get over your fear of relocating:

1. Prepare yourself for the unexpected and let go of control

When we feel scared we try to gain control, but when things turn out differently to how we expected, it can be for the best – not knowing what the future holds isn’t always a bad thing.

2. Nothing is permanent

It’s not uncommon for your new home to fall short of your expectations; lots of people find themselves disappointed with their new place, but don’t feel like you’re stuck there. Even if you can’t move immediately, you could make it a priority in the future – there’s nothing wrong with putting your happiness first.

Read more: I hate my house, but I can’t afford to move

3. Prioritise your moving to-do list

Sometimes we avoid the things we’re scared of, but once you start ticking things off your list, breaking things down into more simple tasks, the whole process will feel less intimidating and scary, which, in turn, could help you feel more excited.

4. Do nice things for yourself

Be kind to yourself and treat yourself with respect because moving house is a significant thing to go through – there might be moments when you feel overwhelmed with it all. To combat this, set some time aside for relaxing and having fun – it’ll make all the difference.

5. Meditate

I know it’s a bit of a buzz word right now, but the power of meditation is undeniable, taking time out to practise this will have a great effect on your overall well-being.

6. Confide in people who have been in your position before: talk to your friends

Sharing your worries with friends is a good way to get nerves and anxieties off your chest, especially if they’ve been in your position before – you should feel lighter after speaking your stresses out loud.

7. Build some connections before you move

If it’s possible, spend some time in the area you’re moving to so you can adjust and get used to it. You could get involved in the community by volunteering or going to a few exercise classes; once you start seeing friendly faces your new location will begin to feel like home. If you don’t live close by then try reaching out to people online and make some plans for a coffee when you’ve your new set of keys.

8. Journal

Writing down your thoughts and feelings about moving is a really good way of processing emotions. It can be particularly helpful right before bed as it stops you lying awake at night ruminating.

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Large Moleskine Journal – John Lewis £19.99

9. Focus on the positive outcomes, not the negative

We’re often left playing out all the negative outcomes, but why not ask ourselves ‘what if it all went right?’ Shifting our focus can help us feel less scared and more excited about upping sticks.

Disclaimer: I’m not a therapist or medical professional – if you feel like you have a phobia of relocating then it’s best to seek help from a doctor or licensed therapist.

Feeling sad about moving house

Moving is an emotional process; it’s such a big thing to go through so naturally, there will be a tonne of feelings that come with it – including sadness and moving anxiety.

Whenever we experience any kind of loss in our life it’s normal to feel sad about it; there is a grieving process to go through and that can be upsetting.

Is it normal to cry moving house?

I’ve moved house a lot, my early twenties were a bit ridiculous, and each time I moved I cried, regardless of if I wanted to move or not.

Granted, I’m an emotional person, but I still believe it’s normal and healthy to cry when you’re moving house.

Processing emotions is really good for us; according to Medial News Today, there are a lot of benefits when it comes to crying which includes relieving stress and fighting bacteria.

Ultimately, fear of moving house is a valid emotion to have, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for it; it could be the start of something great and even if it doesn’t feel like it, it could be a blessing in disguise.

Want help buying a property then read this: my property buying deal breakers over on doer-upper.co