Why Moving Can Be Good For You
Relocating or moving has been ranked as the number one most stressful life event trumping divorce, marriage, changing careers, and even having children! So, the fact that this is my 8th move in 27 years of marriage might make me insane! I look at it as a challenge and as another chance to reinvent myself. In fact, I can think of several reasons that moving to a new place can be positive!
1. Get a Fresh Start
One of the greatest benefits to moving is getting a fresh start. You are going somewhere that you don’t know anybody and where nobody knows you! Hopefully you have learned from past mistakes with relationships and careers and steer yourself in the right direction. I was a real estate agent in Charlotte and to continue that path would need to get my license in Florida, my new home. Not knowing the area, I chose to go down a different path altogether. I left many good friends in Charlotte, but now get to meet an entire set of new people and neighbors! Your slate is wiped clean, and you can rebuild your life in any direction.
2. New Experiences Are Waiting
You are in a brand-new place! In my case, I finally live at the beach. The new experiences that are waiting for me are endless! The opportunity to walk on the beach every morning is just the beginning. There are new restaurants, places to explore, and things unknown around every corner. I’ve finally seen sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean. St Augustine, with all its amazing culture and shops is less than 10 minutes away! I have a new house to decorate and make memories and all kinds of new traditions to create.
3. Your Circle of Friends Will Grow
One of the most heart-breaking things about moving is leaving your friends. The good news is you can stay in touch and now you have a different place for them to come to visit you. Of course, being near the beach has been a huge advantage and we never run out of things to do with our visitors. You will also have to make new friends. In the beginning this is a challenge, but you learn how to put yourself out there. That effort always pays off over time and eventually you will find people you have things in common with and your circle of friends will grow.
4. Get Rid of More Clutter
Having just downsized less than 3 years ago, moving this time was much easier. However, you accumulate clutter no matter how organized you are. Moving into a different space makes you reassess what furniture you really need and if everything you have will still fit. Packing my own boxes was a great exercise in really deciding what I needed to take with me. Nobody wants to pack 3 sets of dishes when you only need one! Before we move, I mentally lay out furniture in my new floorplan which helps decide what stays and what goes. In the chaos of unpacking, there is nothing worse than having large pieces of furniture that have no place to go.
5. Pick Up New Hobbies
This is something that will probably happen naturally just based on being in a new location. Moving here forced me to try pickle ball for the first time. Walking on the beach and collecting shells made me think I should pick up “shell” crafts. Working at my new part time job in a craft studio sparked my love for painting again. All my neighbors ride their bikes, so maybe I should finally put some air in my bike tires. And the list goes on. Who knows… I might just start taking surfing lessons!
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6. Reassess What's Important to You
When you live somewhere for too long, you get stuck in a comfort bubble. That might cause you to take everything around you for granted. Finding yourself in an unknown environment forces you to look at yourself from a different angle. Moving here where I knew nobody forced me to reconnect more with my husband. I needed someone to explore with. You reassess what’s important. That includes realizing all the positives of where you are now and maybe some of the things you miss about your old life. I hope I never take the beach and sunrises for granted!
7. You Will Grow As A Person
Finally, moving to a new place helps you grow as a person. Take that brave step out of your comfort zone. Walk into new experiences with a bunch of new people and introduce yourself. Explore new opportunities for your career or hobbies. Rediscover who you are and what you like. Be courageous and overcome those obstacles that you were afraid of. In the beginning it might be daily. Take the time to pat yourself on the back as you expand your horizons!
If you find yourself in the position to relocate whether it’s for a change of scenery, or a change of career, embrace it! It will absolutely be stressful but remember there are also a lot of positive changes that can occur. Think of it as a fresh start or a new adventure. It might just be the best decision you’ve