Selling a home can be as exciting as it is nerve-racking; a stressful time for the whole family. There is the stress of getting a house ready for sale, packing a lifetime of items carefully into boxes, finding the right buyer who will love your home as much as you have, and the process of moving itself.
But, it is often the emotional aspect of selling a home that catches us off guard and rears its head amid packing stress or moving day.
Sometimes moving means leaving a home that you have loved and cherished for many years; maybe even a lifetime. You may have raised your children there, fallen in love with your partner over late night chats sharing a bottle of wine, or watched your puppy clumsily bounce around your hallways as he turned into an adult dog.
Houses that become homes become a part of us, a part of our identity and the fabric that is our lives and memories. We can see vividly when we are preparing for a move all the little intricate places in our house that hold those memories; the trees that our children climbed when they were small, and the kitchen we cooked and once (or twice) burnt roast pork in.
Whether you have been in a home for a short while or a long while, leaving your home can be an emotional process. And, even if you are ready to downsize, upsize, move states or even countries, it can be a process to deal with the move.
Here are a few tips to help you deal with the emotions of moving out of a beloved home.
- Take time to stop and let the emotions flow. Emotions are not good or bad; they are what they are and are indicative of how we are feeling at the time. If you feel sad, that's ok; not all sadness is a bad thing, and if you’re happy, all the better. Take the time to explore how you feel about leaving a place you once called home, not just literally regarding location, but also inwardly.
2. Ask for help. Let your support network help you physically and emotionally. Who wants to do all that packing and moving on their own anyhow!
- Sometimes it’s the feeling of losing our anchors that can upset us with moving. With all our familiar items packed away in boxes, we can feel a little lost. Pick a thing that is calming to you, and don't pack it away until the very end, or better still, keep it with you.
- Think of all the positive things that are in front of you. There’s new adventures, a new home, new memories to be made and a new way of living. Get excited!
Moving home can be an emotional roller coaster, but what is most important is allowing yourself some time and space to say goodbye to the past home, and welcome the new one with open arms.
Contact McGrath Real Estate to assist with selling and finding that perfect new home for you.