This week, we’re continuing with the topic of moving theme blogs because it covers a lot. While it’s vital to get yourself organized and prepare your home for sale, don’t ignore the emotional stress of moving itself.

Moving comes with a lot of emotions. A roller coaster of them. Some will come with the first wave while others may not come until later. And yes, you should allow yourself to experience all of them.

But if you’re stuck with a ton of emotions when you need to keep a level head, this post offers a few ways you can do that.

When it comes to the emotional stress of moving, here are 7 ways you can keep a clear and level head

Be confident in your decision to sell

Making the decision to move is a major undertaking. One many people don’t fully realize it until they’re in the thick of it. That’s why being completely confident in your decision will help ease the emotional stress of moving.

How can you be confident in your decision? Really weigh the pros and cons of moving. Ask yourself: Why do you want to move? Why do you think now is a good time to sell? Why? Why? Why?

Answering as many why questions is a great motivator. They encourage you to dig deep. Once you have rock-solid confidence, you’ll be able to stay more level-headed when the time comes to move.

Give yourself time to process

You’ve made the decision. Now what? Contrary to what you think, you shouldn’t rush into hiring a real estate agent or taking photos of your home to list. Before you do anything, give yourself time to process the decision.

This might sound like a silly and wasteful step. But it’s important if you want to get a handle on the emotional stress of moving. You can use this time to start researching your options. Like will you use a real estate agent or sell on your own?

Giving yourself this time will help you prepare for the laborious and strenuous tasks ahead. So start researching and spreading the news that you’re moving. You’re going to need all the help you can get in the coming months.

Choosing the right selling strategy

I mentioned before that one of the decisions you’ll have to make is whether you hire a real estate agent or not. Don’t rush through this step. Choosing the right selling strategy can make or break your chances of selling.

Part of the emotional stress of moving is dealing with all the nitty-gritty aspects of selling itself. If you’re not confident in your ability to sell, hiring a real estate agent is your best bet. But if you believe you can broker deals and find the best buyer, you might want to try selling on your own.

Whatever you decide, make sure it’s the best option for you. You can try selling it on your own first and then revisit a real estate agent if things don’t work out. And vice versa. No one says you’re stuck with the strategy you start with.

Get invested in the process

If you choose to hire a real estate agent, don’t leave all the work in their hands. Get yourself invested in the process. Not only will it ease the emotional stress of moving, but it’ll also be a fun experience.

You don’t have to shadow the real estate agent. Simply asking them for updates every few days is enough to keep you in the loop. This is a great way to feel a little more in control of the process. You don’t just list your home and forget about it. It’s good to know how many potential buyers are eyeing it up.

Ask your agent for feedback and adjust accordingly. The more you show that you’re listening, the higher chance you’ll have of selling your home to its ideal buyer.

Get support when it becomes too much

If you want to get a handle on the emotional stress of moving, you’ll need a support system. And I mean a system beyond your immediate family. Moving can go one of two ways: quickly or slowly. If it’s moving slowly, you’re going to feel like you made the wrong decision. That’s where a support system will come in handy.

Reach out to friends and other family members when it becomes too much. Go out and get your mind off of moving for a few hours. Or vent your frustrations to them. Chances are they’ll dole out advice that’ll help.

You’ll also need this support system to help you move when the time comes. Unless you’re using a moving company, your support system can help make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Be flexible and realistic with deals

It’s important to accept that you may not get the asking price for your home. Don’t let that put a damper on this process. Part of the emotional stress of moving is accepting things beyond your control.

That’s why you need to be flexible and realistic when it comes to pricing your home and any deals that come your way. Your real estate agent will keep you up to date on offers and it’s up to you to accept them or not. This is where flexibility and realism are key.

Your agent will be upfront. They’ll say whether you could get more or not. Trust their experience and trust your instincts. But know that if you continue to decline offers, the chance of selling will go down.

Get excited about the next phase

While leaving your current home is hard, there’s nothing wrong with getting excited about the next phase. You made a lot of memories in the home you’re selling. But think about all the new memories you’ll make in the new one.

When you focus on the good the future can bring, you’re leaving stress at the door. That, in and of itself, will make moving more enjoyable. Yes, there will be moments of stress, but you now know ways to combat them.

Don’t let the emotional stress of moving keep you from looking forward with positivity. You’re moving for a reason and it’s important to remember that when things start to look glum. And when in doubt, use that support system to remind you why you should be excited about the next phase. It’s full of possibilities.

It may not always be easy to get a handle on the emotional stress of moving. There are a lot of (pun intended) moving parts and it’s normal to feel a lot of different emotions.

Take the time you need to process those emotions. This way you’ll maintain a level head while transitioning into the next phase of your life. And you’ll be confident that it was the right choice.

If you want more resources on moving, check out my other blog posts about the topic:

• 8 Things You Must Do to Get Your Home Ready to Sell
• Biggest Mistakes Home Sellers Make and How You Can Avoid Them
• 6 Ways You Can Prepare You and Your Loved Ones for Major Transitions In Life

And don’t forget to check out my services page where I offer downsizing and senior move management help.

Patricia Ramos

Photo: Erda Estremera

Resources

https://www.opendoor.com/w/blog/ways-to-keep-your-emotions-in-check-when-selling-your-home