Moving While Grieving
If you’re going through a difficult transition time due to the loss of a loved one or divorce, sometimes you find that you need to move. Regardless of the reason, moving is one of the most stressful things we can do, and the stress is compounded and everything feels more difficult when we’re grieving.
Here are some tips that may help when you’re trying to move to a new place and also dealing with profound feelings of grief.
Ask For Help
There can be a lot of work involved in finding a new place to live, packing up your belongings, and transporting them to the new place. One thing to remember is that in each of those categories, there are people who can help. If you have friends and family who are willing to help, sometimes specifically asking for one piece of the work can make it easier for them to say yes. For example, asking, “Can you please help me find a good apartment under $1400/mo in Raleigh, NC?” or “Can you help me get boxes?” can be more effective than a more general ask.
If you have the means, you can also hire a professional. There are options including professional organizers who can help purge to hiring a moving company. Of course, Compass can also help manage the process, make appointments, and hire companies if needed.
Break It Down
It’s easy for moving to feel overwhelming. The list of things you need to do can seem so long, it’s paralyzing. Try to take stock of your list and set small, achievable goals. For example, “Today I am going to focus on packing up my books.” The key is to start early and keep moving forward on your smaller tasks, so you will find that you’re prepared and ready for when it’s time to make the move.
Take Breaks
Moving can stir up a lot of emotions, and it’s important to take breaks and let yourself feel those feelings. Some people may be tempted to dive into the tasks of moving as a way to not have to think about how they’re feeling, but we often find that it catches up to us. Take breaks from packing or unpacking to do things you enjoy and connect with people you love to reset and restore the energy to keep going.
Give Yourself Grace
If you find that you’re not meeting your small goals or snapping at friends and family trying to help, remember to give yourself grace. You’re going through a lot.
If you need help with this or other tasks while grieving, or would like to give our services to someone else, call 980.263.9109 or contact us on our website.
