Moving is one of those life events that can feel equally thrilling and terrifying. One moment, you envision your fresh start in a new place, imagining the perfectly arranged furniture and the local coffee shop that will soon know your order by heart. The next, you’re drowning in a sea of packing tape, unread change-of-address forms, and the existential crisis of realizing how much stuff you own. There’s a reason why moving feels overwhelming. Your brain is hardwired to resist change, and moving shakes up every aspect of your routine, from where you sleep to the grocery store layout you’ve memorized over the years. But the good news? You can hack your brain into embracing the chaos. Here’s how to shift your mindset and turn moving into an exciting adventure rather than an anxiety-ridden ordeal!
Why Moving Feels So Hard
There are plenty of reasons why moving feels overwhelming to most people. However, there are some arguments most people can agree on:
1. Your Brain Hates Uncertainty
Humans crave stability. We build routines to help us navigate daily life without constant decision-making and moving bulldozes through all of that. Suddenly, you’re making dozens of small (yet surprisingly stressful) choices every day: which moving company to hire, how to make a move more sustainable, what to pack first, and whether to get rid of that chair you never sit in. This flood of decision-making can leave your brain feeling exhausted.
2. Memories Are Tied to Places
Your home isn’t just walls and a roof; it’s a container for memories. The kitchen was where you had countless late-night chats, the hallway was where your child took their first steps, and the balcony was where you decompressed after long days. Leaving those spaces behind can feel like you’re leaving pieces of yourself behind, too.
Luckily, you don’t have to leave everything behind. Although it might take some time to fully disassemble a couch, you can still bring it to your new home and keep the memories of all the movie nights and accidental afternoon naps.
3. Change Triggers Stress Responses
Even if you’re moving for a great reason—a new job, a bigger house, a fresh start—your brain still registers it as stress. The amygdala, the part of your brain responsible for processing emotions, can interpret change as a threat, making you feel anxious or overwhelmed.
How to Trick Your Brain Into Loving the Process
Now that we understand why moving feels overwhelming and mentally exhausting let’s flip the script. Here are some science-backed ways to make your brain tolerate moving and enjoy it while minimizing waste and promoting sustainability.
1. Reframe the Narrative
Your brain responds to the stories you tell it. If you approach moving with dread, your brain will respond accordingly. Start shifting your language. Instead of, “I have to move,” try, “I get to start fresh in a new place.” Instead of, “I’m so stressed about packing,” think, “This is my chance to declutter and only keep what truly matters.”
It may sound overly simple, but studies on cognitive reframing show that changing how we talk about an experience alters how we perceive it. Plus, reframing moving as an opportunity to live more sustainably—by reducing clutter and making conscious choices about what to keep—can make the process even more rewarding.
2. Turn Packing Into a Game
Your brain loves rewards. Instead of seeing packing as a massive chore, break it down into smaller, more manageable challenges. Time yourself to see how quickly you can fill a box. Reward yourself with a treat after finishing a room. Make it a competition with your family or friends. The more you turn packing into a playful activity, the less your brain will resist it.
Moreover, try useful apps to help you pack and plan your move. It will feel more like a game than an obligation.
3. Visualize the Best-Case Scenario
Instead of fixating on everything that could go wrong (Will I hate my new neighborhood? What if I regret this move?), visualize the best-case scenario. Picture yourself thriving in your new space, meeting friendly neighbors, and discovering your favorite restaurant. Athletes and performers use visualization techniques to enhance performance, and the same principle applies here—your brain will begin to associate the move with positive emotions rather than stress.
4. Anchor Yourself in Small Routines
Even if everything else changes, try to maintain a few familiar habits. Have your morning coffee in the same mug, keep up with your workout routine, or take a short evening walk like you used to. These small anchors can provide stability amid the chaos, reassuring your brain that nothing changes.
5. Make It a Sustainable Move
Making it an environmentally friendly process is one way to feel good about moving. Instead of buying brand-new boxes, source secondhand ones from local stores or neighbors. Donate unwanted items to charities instead of sending them to the landfill. Opt for biodegradable packing materials and choose a moving company with green initiatives, like fuel-efficient trucks or carbon offset programs. When you frame moving as an opportunity to make sustainable choices, it becomes a more rewarding experience.
6. Let Go of “Perfection Pressure”
A big source of moving anxiety comes from the unrealistic expectation that everything needs to be perfectly in place right away. Permit yourself to take your time settling in. You don’t need to unpack everything in a day, and it’s okay if your new home doesn’t feel picture-perfect immediately. Progress over perfection will keep your stress levels in check.
7. Celebrate the Milestones
Every step of the move is an accomplishment. Have you packed your first box? Celebrate. Have you survived the moving truck ordeal? Treat yourself. Have you set up your new bedroom? Take a moment to appreciate it. Your brain thrives on positive reinforcement, and by acknowledging the progress you make, you help create momentum and motivation.
In Conclusion
Yes, moving feels overwhelming and incredibly hard. It’s messy, emotional, and stressful. But it’s also an opportunity for growth, renewal, and adventure. Your brain might instinctively resist the process, but using a few simple mental tricks can shift your mindset and make the experience feel less like a burden and more like an exciting new chapter. So, the next time you think the moving panic creeping in, remember: it’s not about dreading what you’re leaving behind but embracing what’s ahead. And with a little mental rewiring and a commitment to sustainability, you might enjoy the ride.