Moving can be stressful. Even if it’s an exciting move that goes smoothly – as mine was – it can still be exhausting. Between packing, sorting out logistics, and the actual move itself, it can be a major time, energy, and resource drain. But taking the mindset of moving in a positive direction can steer us onto a better course.
Moving doesn’t always have to feel so daunting or exhausting. Sometimes a move is spurred by external circumstances over which we have less control, however even then, how you view the move can dramatically impact the level of stress it actually generates.
Mindset of Moving: How are you viewing your move?
Moves can be exciting – like my move to Miami – or they can be anxiety-inducing. There is an inevitable stress factor involved in any more, however the way our mind perceives the move can make it exciting – or it can make the move seem like the most stressful, daunting task in the world.
Take a step back and consider how you’re viewing your move – are you moving from or moving forward?
Moving away or moving to?
Moving to escape or moving to embrace?
When the decision to move is self-motivated, these questions are particularly important to consider. When I made the decision to move to Miami, I was for sure looking to escape winter and all of the negativity that I was beginning to associate with it.
But even more than that, I was looking forward. I saw the opportunity and possibility that awaited for me – and that’s what actually sealed the deal.
My own recent move was entirely self-motivated. But even if relocation is spurred by external circumstances like a new job, relocation, bad landlords or untenable living circumstances, or simply the need for more space, how you view the move will shift your experience of the transition.
A Positive Moving Mindset: Openness to experience and embracing the new
Change isn’t always easy. In fact, any change in living circumstances, selling a home, buying a home, or moving are considered to be some of the top stressful life events.
It might be easier said than done, but embracing change and the opportunity that comes along with it can do wonders in helping you manage the stress of a move in a productive and health-protective way. Moving can actually be good for your metal health.
People lie on a spectrum when it comes to openness to experience – one of the domains used to describe human personality in psychology’s Five Factor Model. Openness involves six different dimensions, including active imagination (fantasy), aesthetic sensitivity, attentiveness to inner feelings, preference for variety, and intellectual curiosity.
We are born with certain personality traits and predispositions – not everyone is as open to change and novelty. However I believe that you can shift these things by shifting your mindset about any given situation.
Certain experiences and situations can help us cultivate more openness.
Moving is one of them.
The Magic of Moving: Opening up to Possibility
Once you open up to possibility, suddenly each experience is infused with a sense of curiosity and opportunity. Each person you encounter could lead you to the next opportunity. Life is funny – and completely wonderful – in this way. If you’re open to it, life will give you what you’re looking for.
Moving also generates a sense of momentum. When we feel like we are moving forward, the wheels tend to keep moving us in the right directions. Since I’ve moved down to Miami, I’ve been exploring my neighborhood and local spots, and each conversation I strike up seems to generate something positive – something that’s just right.
The Benefits of Moving: A Fresh Start and a Mindset Reset
Moving provides the opportunity to start fresh – a clean slate of sorts. Landing in a new city with very few friends or acquaintances can sound very daunting to many. Many people have said that I’m so brave for picking up and moving, which surprised me. But I guess I was so ready for a change, nothing about it seemed all that dramatic.
Bravery factor aside, I’ve been energized and excited. The whole trip down I was excited and curious about what I’d stumble upon next – and sure enough, things kept falling into place, one after the other, as if by magic. Since I arrived, they have continued to do so.
Benefits of the Mindset of Moving
- A fresh start. We all get stuck in a rut sometimes. Moving can help us change things up, shift us from boredom to curiosity, and give us a renewed sense of excitement, purpose, and fulfillment.
- Fresh perspective. Culture and environment impact worldview and behaviors tremendously. Moving from an urban to a rural setting will most certainly shift your perspective and your lifestyle. So will moving from north to south or east to west.
- Expanded opportunities. Meeting new people expands your network which inevitably leads to more opportunity – in every area of life. Picking up and getting out of your comfort zone helps open more doors.
- Different experience of life. Experiencing a new culture and immersing in a way of life different from that which you’re used to expands our own belief system, opens up possibility, and helps us to be more empathetic and compassionate.
- The opportunity for deep self-reflection. Big life changes force us to take a step back and examine our lives. Moves in particular force us to take a look at what we like, what we don’t like, what we want, what we need, and what might need changing – both in our external and internal environments.
Being the Newbie in a Big City
Obviously a move like mine – from the tri-state to Miami – is a major change. But I’m also very lucky to have landed in a situation where I’m surrounded by awesome people all the time. I’ve been putting myself out there, going out and exploring, and am open to meeting people as I go about my business. Had I not been so brand new, who knows if people would have opened up as they did so easily to welcome me.
But that’s kind of the point of this post – one of the benefits of moving is being in the position of starting fresh – taking on a new venture in some way shape or form. It’s an easy conversation starter, and people on the whole tend to be very welcoming people who land in their city or share an interest in what they love.
The Benefits of the Moving Mindset – Without the Hassle of Moving
The best part? You actually don’t need to pick up and move to cultivate that mindset and generate that fresh start momentum. You can start by changing things up in a small way, right now.
A holiday weekend is a great place to start shifting your perspective, and begin that mindset reset. Change things up, talk to new people, and simply appreciate whatever is around you, wherever you are.
Cheers to a happy and fulfilling Memorial Day Weekend!
Comments Off on Mindset of Moving: Motivation, Momentum, and the Benefits of Moving