How to Cope With Stress When Moving Abroad
If the idea of moving abroad fills you with dread, youโre not alone. Moving home is more stressful than getting divorced or having a baby (Yopa, 2021).
But while moving can be frustrating, anxiety-producing, and worryingly expensive, it doesnโt have to be.
If you do the research and come up with a clear plan in plenty of time, you can turn the complicated, constant grind of moving abroad into a relatively pain-free process.
Itโs completely understandable if youโre feeling stressed. Take a deep breath, trust in yourself, and follow the tips weโve laid out below. Everything is going to be okay.
It doesn't have to be like this
Plan ahead
Start the process as soon as possible. We know itโs a huge prospect, and it can feel overwhelming, but the sooner you begin, the easier itโll be.
For instance, choosing your removal company at least two months in advance will be miles better for your state of mind โ not to mention your wallet.
Youโll be able to compare quotes and choose a cost-effective supplier, rather than being forced to take an expensive option because youโre running out of time.
Start filling in the relevant forms early too, since bureaucracy can be painful no matter which country youโre moving to.
Figure out where youโre going to live, what youโre going to do about health insurance, and โ if necessary โ apply for a visa, all in good time.
Youโll almost certainly be caught off guard by certain steps along the way, especially if this is your first international move โ so give yourself enough time to work through complications.
Make a moving list…
A helpful step in this planning process is making a list. That may sound obvious, but itโs tempting to think you wonโt need one.
It can feel easy when you start off, spinning a couple of plates โ and then before you know it, youโre attempting to spin an entire dinner set over your head.
We recommend dividing the list into sections like โBook a shipping companyโ, โGet a visaโ, and โLearn the languageโ. Then, under those headings, list each specific action youโll need to take to achieve that objective.
Having everything written down will help, as will having a plan โ though you should bear in mind that no matter how hard you try, you wonโt be able to control everything.
Unexpected obstacles will have to be dealt with, but thatโll be much easier to do when you can fold it into your pre-existing plan.
…and a โwhat Iโm excited aboutโ list
Moving abroad is stressful, but itโs also a fun, thrilling, adrenalin-filled leap into the unknown โ and itโs important to remember that while youโre calling embassies, moving money around, and saying goodbye to friends and family.
Youโve chosen to uproot your life and plant yourself in a new destination, meaning you must be excited for at least some parts of the life that awaits you โ so write them down!
Are you pumped to try the local food? Make new friends? Progress in your career? Travel all over the region? There are a myriad of reasons to be excited. Commit them to paper.
You wonโt get them all right. Your stay in a foreign land will surprise you in countless wonderful ways โ ways you canโt begin to imagine now. But thatโs not the point.
The point of making a list like this is to keep your focus on why youโre moving, and what you have to look forward to once youโre there.
Take a break
If moving abroad is all you think about for most of the next year, it will take your joy and your sanity โ so take a break every so often.
When you feel like youโre underwater, clear your thoughts, take a deep breath or five, and give yourself a moment to be silent.
Then consider doing something else for a while, before you tackle the next moving issue.ย
Have a bath, go for a walk, watch some Schitt's Creek โ whatever relaxes you. Youโll be better for it, we promise.
Take a deep breath โ you're doing fine
Book time off work
In the same vein, donโt force yourself to do it all, constantly. Youโll burn out, and plates will come crashing down around you.
Book some days off work to go to embassies, take virtual tours of potential new homes, deal with shipping companies, and do whatever else needs doing.
And, if possible, book off some time from both your office job and your home relocation job, and switch off from the world.
Whether thatโs at home, on the beach, or in a cottage on some windswept moor is up to you โ wherever you decide to spend it, youโll be better for the holiday.
Cast off your cast-offs before you cast off
An international move is the perfect time to shed all that unwanted baggage that follows you from place to place.
Whether youโre selling your home in the UK or not, you can take this opportunity to make some donations, hold a garage sale, or stick your items on an online marketplace like eBay.
You donโt have to sell everything, itโs not practical to take all your belongings, and you can always use storage lockers โ but if you donโt want to bring items with you, consider whether you want them at all.
If youโre worried about not having enough basic household items and supplies when you get to your destination, most places will have everything you need.
And hey, going on a shopping trip is an excellent way to get to know your new city.
Mark one box โunload meโ
When you arrive at your new home, youโll be exhausted, overwhelmed, and the owner of nothing but mystery boxes.
So as well as labelling your boxes with room designations like โkitchenโ and โbedroomโ, make sure to name one โunload meโ.
Put essential items in there, like a towel, fresh clothes, sheets, coffee or tea, some food, and whatever else you think will help you get through that difficult first day.
That way, you can soothe your body and mind before going through the lengthy process of unpacking everything you own.
Summary
Moving abroad will always be stressful at some points, but it doesnโt have to be a nightmare.ย
Give yourself plenty of time, draw up a plan, and be generous to yourself.
Whether youโre moving for excitement, money, career progression, or something completely different, youโre going for a reason โ and itโs important to bear that in mind throughout the process.
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