Moving is a major life event and can be a little overwhelming for the person experiencing it -- whether it's for the first time or the hundredth time. It's perfectly normal to feel a little bit of fear and anxiety in the build-up to a move, and the best way to combat those fears is to recognize that they are natural and that everyone goes through the same feelings.
It's a big deal to leave a place that you've called home -- and it doesn't matter how long you've lived there. While some people are more open to change than others, moving somewhere new can still be a hard thing to do. Before you move, it's important for you to address your fears and confront your emotions, so that you can get closure and feel more comfortable at your new home.
Metathesiophobia, or fear of change
Fear of change is one of the biggest things that holds people back when it comes to moving. The idea of starting over in a completely new and unfamiliar place makes leaving that much worse. It is a common fear for most people, and while there are a small percentage of those that thrive on change, the majority prefers the comfort and familiarity of routine -- something that is affected by the very idea of moving and starting anew.
On the other side of the coin, the fear of change is also usually the first fear many people need to overcome to move forward with the moving process. Once you have decided that change can be a good thing and a healthy part of your development, you'll be ready to tackle anything that comes your way.
Here are a few affirmations for overcoming your fear of change:
- Life is full of change
- Accept your sitation but don't have to settle
- Turn the fear into excitement
- Celebrate the change
- Be patient
- Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone
Monophonia, or fear of bring alone
It's never easy to leave behind people that you love and care about, and this could be one of the hardest things about moving out of your old home. Even though recent developments in technology have made it a lot easier to keep in touch, it's still difficult to part with those whom you see often -- especially if you know that they will not have the same kind of presence in your life.
Coping with the apprehensiveness of leaving loved ones behind will be easier the earlier you deal with it. As soon as you make the decision to move, address it with the ones you care about. You'll find that when the time finally comes to leave, you'll feel a lot better.
Put your fear of leaving family and friends behind at more ease by following some of these tips:
- Set a schedule of how and when you plan to keep in contact with your loved ones
- Give yourself some time to adjust to being by yourself.
- Make some new friends and build new relationships
- Put together a photo collage or album of friends and family you're leaving
Xenophobia, or fear of the unknown
Fear of the unexpected goes hand-in-hand with fear of change, but what makes the unexpected difficult to face is that you don't quite know what's going to happen. Being afraid of the unexpected when moving is rational, especially if you will be on your own for the first time.
Your life will always be full of unexpected suprises, and knowing this will help you to cope with your fear of the unknown. Moving can be a difficult adjustment to make, and being in a strange new place with new faces and new routines can leave you feeling vulnerable. However, it's important for you to accept the fact that unexpected doesn't necessarily mean bad. You are opening yourself up to new ideas and new experiences that can help you grow as a person.
Some tips to help you deal with the fear of the unexpected are:
- Take everything one day at a time
- Do not stress about things you cannot control
- Expect the unexpected
- Be confident and know that you are capable of handling challenges that come your way
- Look at unexpected situations with curiosity, not fear
- Be brave and courageous, because no matter what happens, you will be able to overcome it all
The best way to tackle all those moving fears is by being prepared for everything. Preparation is the key to a successful move. Preparing yourself for your move means more than just ironing out the tangible aspects of moving. It also means preparing yourself emotionally as well as physically. If you do this, you can clear any hurdle and accomplish anything in your life, including moving.