The Fear of Moving Out: How Can You Cope With It?
FOMO has long been a buzzword to describe the fear of missing out, a type of anxiety that can affect people of all ages. But what if we told you that there was another kind of FOMO?
Picture this: you're packing up your belongings and picturing your life in a new home. At first, you feel happy and excited. Suddenly, you're struck by a bout of nerves you weren't expecting.
If this has ever happened to you, you may have the less talked about but widely experienced kind of FOMO: fear of moving out!
Moving marks a big transition in your life, and there are a lot of little details you have to take care of along the way. Experiencing anxiety about your next move is normal, but it isn't impossible to overcome! Read on to learn how you can cope with your fear of moving out.
Why Do We Experience This Fear of Moving Out?
First, let's take some time to talk a little more about this fear of moving out. Sometimes, the first step to overcoming a fear is understanding why you feel the way you feel--and recognizing that you're not alone!
Moving Is Often Accompanied by Other Big Changes
When we feel big emotions (like joy and excitement, but also fear and anxiety), it can be difficult to determine the exact source. As a result, we may pinpoint a specific aspect of our lives as the source, when really, it's a little more complicated.
Moving is often accompanied by other big changes.
Maybe you're moving out of your parents' house to start college or a career. Maybe you're taking the leap with a partner and moving in together. Maybe you're helping your elderly parents move out of their home and into an assisted living facility.
Big changes require us to face the unknown. It's natural to feel uneasy when things feel like they're outside of our control!
Renting or Buying a New Home Can Be Overwhelming
Sometimes, the fear of moving out starts as early as the moment you go hunting for a new home. This is also an understandable source of stress. Finding a new place to live, whether you're renting or buying, can get overwhelming quickly.
Renting or buying a new home tends to require several steps. You may have to research neighborhoods, think about your budget, and do some comparison shopping online. Once you find the right place to live, you have to make some negotiations, fill out a lot of paperwork, and determine what items you’re moving to your new home.
Packing and Moving Your Stuff Can Be Stressful
The literal and physical act of moving can be stressful. Trying to decide what comes with you and what doesn't, can seem like a never-ending task, especially if you've never had to do it before. Trying to make sure that all your valuables are packed safely--and even just getting all of those packing materials--can feel like a complete headache.
What Can We Do to Ease Your Anxiety About Moving?
Now that we've looked at some of the reasons moving may cause you feelings of fear, we can figure out ways to address those causes. Let's talk about a few simple steps you can take to alleviate your anxiety and feel a little bit lighter!
Remember What This Move Will Bring You
Did you know that thinking positive thoughts can actually ease some of the symptoms of stress? Positive thinking won't put all of your belongings in boxes or sign your new lease, but it will help you handle the overall process of moving in a healthier way.
If thinking about moving out of your current home brings you anxiety, remember why you're doing it. Focus on what you are going to gain from this move, whether that's the opportunity for new experiences, the chance to go to school or start a career, or whatever it may be. By shifting your thinking, you'll notice that some of that fear doesn't feel quite as unruly anymore!
Talk to Someone with Renting or Buying Experience
Reach out to someone who’s experienced in what you're going through! Maybe that's a real estate agent who can narrow down your search for a home, or maybe that's a friend who lives in your new city that knows a thing or two about the best neighborhoods.
Or it could simply be someone you trust who has moved recently and can assure you that your fears are normal, but they'll dissipate once you get settled in. The biggest objective is to find someone who you can lean on that knows how to lighten your moving burden.
Call In the HUNKS to Help
Let's face it: packing, renting a truck, hauling everything out of one house and into another--it's no small task. That's why you shouldn't do it alone!
Take a look at some of the moving services offered by your favorite HUNKS. Whether you're moving down the street or across the country, we're ready to get you there. With the HUNKS, you can rest assured that your belongings will get packed well and show up in one piece in your awesome new home!
College HUNKS Are Here to Make Moving Easier
FOMO doesn't always mean the fear of missing out. Sometimes, FOMO means the fear of moving out! Feeling stress or anxiety about your next move is totally normal, and it's something we can help you cope with.
To start alleviating some of that stress, book your very own team of HUNKS today. Remember, we're also available for junk removal, so if you've got some big stuff that needs to get tossed out, we can help with that, too!