Why Moving is Good for Your Mental Well-Being
At some point, most of us feel like we could use a change. Surprisingly, it’s not as hard as we feel like it is. It may seem hard to break out of a rut, but there are small things we can do to make life a bit interesting, get a change of scenery and a fresh start we need. One of the best ways to start over is moving. Finding a new house to buy or apartment to rent is a great way to jump-start your life out of the doldrums. Here are some ways moving is good for your mental health.
You Clear Out Stuff Bringing You Down
People who put possessions in storage units for several years often can’t even remember what they put in there. If you ask them, they might say they don’t want the stuff back. We’re not defined by our furniture, our TVs, or any other possessions we own.
Moving is great for mental well-being because we can clear our physical inventories. Chances are, if you’ve lived in one spot for a few years or more, you have more stuff than you need. We buy stuff we use once and then it sits in the closet all the time. When you move, you’re forced to go through your things and decide whether each item brings you joy. If yes, then keep it. If not, toss it.
You’ll Meet New Neighbors
Certainly, stay put if you’re happy and love your neighbors. However, if you could use a change of scenery, don’t sleep on moving. Relocating gets you around new people. Your local institutions like the coffee shop, church, the post office, and other places you might frequent are filled with interesting new people you haven’t met yet. You never know who you’re going to talk to or bump into who will turn out to be a lifelong friend.
Maybe a move is what you need to find a community you resonate with. Deep social connections are one of the best things for mental health. Moving is also a great time to step out of your shell more. You may feel awkward if you’ve lived somewhere for five years and all of a sudden you ask your neighbor over for dinner. In a new setting, you get to redefine yourself.
You Save Money!
One of the best parts of moving is that, if done right, you can come out ahead. If you live in a large house that you bought to fit the kids but now, they’re grown, think about downsizing to a smaller home. We’re not talking tiny house, but downsizing is great for mental health. In large houses with few people, you don’t see and interact with each other enough. Smaller spaces keep you in closer contact. They also make you consider each purchase you make. By downsizing to a smaller house, you end up with less, but nicer stuff.
Moving Closes a Chapter
If you need a mental health reboot, moving can help you turn the page on an unpleasant chapter in your life. It’s a literal life transition full of possibilities that leaves the negative behind. You get to choose a house with more natural light, on a beach, or in the woods. You get to decide where you want to live and what kind of life you want to lead. You can add distance between you and any toxic relationships as well. It allows you to re-center and refocuses on what you want to be working towards in your life.
Moving Means You Don’t Have to Renovate
People who have lived in the same house for years probably want to remodel or renovate their floors, the kitchen, or a bathroom. That can be a huge hassle. Moving is the best for mental health because you avoid the stress of having to coordinate renovations. You can move into an upgraded house that is modern and looks great already. You didn’t have to do any of the work! It’s the perfect time to live in a stucco home if that’s what you’ve always wanted. If you’ve been craving minimalist Scandinavian design, you can find that too. You don’t have to always live with the cards you’ve been dealt. Moving signifies that you’re taking control of your mental well-being and will do what it takes to be happy.
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