Award-winning author Nick Hornby once wrote, “Hard is trying to rebuild yourself, piece by piece, with no instruction book, and no clue as to where all the important bits are supposed to go.” At Bekins, we’re not experts at rebuilding the whole world, but we are experts at moving people within it. Sometimes the thing you need to start afresh is a new living space. Sometimes you can move on by moving out. We can (obviously) help with that. Here’s how and why moving out to move on can work, and how you can figure out where the literal and figurative important bits should go below.
Sometimes all you need is a new perspective.
Research done by psychologist Rich Walker at Winston-Salem State University found that people who have a more varied experience retain positive emotions more easily. The more you try new things and experience new perspectives, the easier it is to be happy. Not just to BE happy, in fact, but to STAY happy.
If we’re tied up with an experience that happened to us in the past, it’s easy to get lost in that history. One way to help shake that stagnation is by getting a new perspective. Moving out can give you that opportunity.
Spaces can hold onto memories you want to let go of.
There’s a reason haunted house movies exist–they’re scary! A house can be haunted by something other than ghosts. The thing haunting you could be memories of a time that was especially stressful or traumatic for you. The more you spend time in this place and stew in those feelings, the worse the situation gets. It’s an emotional feedback loop that doesn’t serve anyone.
Sometimes, it’s possible to begin to let go of emotional woes by physically letting go of the place they occurred in. Your new space will be free from those memories, allowing you to face them more easily and directly. You’ll also get the chance to make new memories in your new space.
A project can give you the distraction you need.
Sometimes all we need to help us move on is a little time to relax. Some healthy ways people distract themselves include reading books, binging television seasons and hiking. A good distraction is a project that gives you something to focus on other than your current problems.
A move is a lot of work – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! The structure and effort involved in planning, packing and executing a move can give you the break you need from your own negative thought loops. You might come out the other side with a new, fresh better perspective. Plus, you’ll be in a new place to boot!
Repetitive work gives you time for introspection.
Moving is a lot of work. Wrapping glass after glass. Taking sweaters off hangers. Searching your entire home to put together a full set of measuring cups. This repetitive, time-consuming work is great for someone plagued by an overburdened mind.
You’ll settle into the repetition and your mind will clear as you focus on the work. This will allow space for you to think more clearly and critically about your journey.
Remember that, whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone. You have friends, family and people who care about you. You also have Bekins, and we’re happy to help make the process of moving as easy on you as possible. Give us a call today if you’d like to learn more about how we can help you help yourself start your life’s next chapter.
