Moving Is Stressful

This summer I have to move. I have moved many times – even long distances. New York City to Los Angeles was the big one.  One of the problems with renting is that you are at the mercy of your landlord should they decide to sell. This is the third house I’ve loved but had to leave.

I have found a fantastic new house just one block away. I’m very happy about it. That’s not the problem.

The problem is I hate to move. I get very anxious and I have been known to sit down on the floor of the empty house and cry my eyes out.  For me, moving feels a little like mourning.

I want robots to pack and move my stuff while I nap.

I guess I’m sharing this because I would imagine there are others like me, some of them in early sobriety. The stress of moving might feel like too much for them. It really can feel overwhelming.

So what do you do?  First thing – avoid it – okay I can’t do that here, but if you are just thinking about moving for personal reasons, I would suggest waiting if you are very early in sobriety.  If you don’t have a choice in the matter, plan really well. Lists are really helpful:

List all your accounts where you have to change addresses so they are in one place

Get tons of boxes lined up

Order a big trash bin if you can – moving is a great time to offload the crap you’ve accrued over the years.

I find the big trash bin makes moving more like a cleansing. I tend to acquire stuff then discover I don’t really need it. I’m better about that these days, but a move usually does result in a giant bin full of “stuff I don’t really need.”

I try to take the perspective that this is a fresh slate – a kick start so to speak, especially if I’ve been putting things off.

Get friends to help you – even if it’s just to sit with you while you tape boxes. The support really makes moving less lonely. This time I have to move alone because my housemate is going to be across the country selling a house I inherited in Cape Cod.    I don’t want to do it alone (stomp feet here)!

It’s important to acknowledge that moving is really difficult emotionally, especially if you love your current home. But that’s okay. Life is about change, and change can bring new opportunities. Hey, I’ll have a bigger office in the new place – and we can have a dog!