You might be at the start of your journey and focussing on where to start with all the things to get done. You might be in the middle of your relocation and that massive checklist of things still to do. Or you might be coming close to the end of your relocation and seeing the end of the action items that are key for your move. Regardless the stage of your move, you might be struggling a bit with the simplest thing of all. To relax.
When we set out on a journey, the practical things to get done are inevitable. We know that there are tickets to book, jobs to arrange as well as items to sell, store and ship. Because even though there are companies to do those things for us, we need to get the ball rolling and make the decision of when, where and how these things will be actioned. For most of us this all happens while we juggle work, children, studies and our relationships. Not exactly smooth sailing.
One thing I meet in almost every single client I work with is that point where being busy is starting to get to them. Where they just ‘want it to be over and done‘. This is very common, but that does not mean that you have to go about it this way. Because in times of change, it’s more important than ever to find new and old ways of relaxing and regaining energy.
Stress is the enemy of most things, as we know. So how can we keep it at bay in times of rapid change and relocation?
- Breathe. Sit down somewhere quiet and focus only on your breathing. Are your breaths shallow or deep? Tune into your body and focus only on how your breath sounds and feels. Everything else can wait. If we can’t breathe properly, we can’t very well be of much use for anything else either.
- Remind yourself of the ‘why’. Picture the vision of when you have landed at the new place. When things are balanced and calm. Allow yourself to feel that, right now. Even if just for a few seconds. Balance is never more than a thought away.
- Brain dump everything. Grab a whiteboard, laptop or piece of paper. Write down the things you need to do in one place. Circle the 3 key things you need to action today and leave the rest for later. Only when you have actioned the first 3 things are you allowed to look at your list again.
- Write down the things you worry about in another place. Understand that worry is based on FEAR. This stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Worry takes place in the future and you can eliminate it quickly by being present right where you are right now. Read a book, connect with a friend, go for a walk, pat your dog or whatever else you need to do in order to bring yourself back to this present moment.
- Reward yourself along the way. Planning and working your way through a travel list requires a bit of celebration! Group your tasks and decide an appropriate reward for those specific things. The move/trip does not count as a reward for this one. For example – when you have organised you tickets and work visa – take yourself out for a nice lunch with a friend to celebrate the milestone. Or maybe go have a massage as a celebration for packing up your items for shipping and storage. Hard work is more than worthy of rewards along the way, as well as at the end!
- People who stay busy often do so to masque underlying feelings. It’s easier sometimes to stay busy and tell everyone how hard it is, than to sit down and truly relax and tune in with how you feel. This is very natural, but it will catch up with you sooner or later and the longer you push it off, the more it will hurt. So bust this classic relocation mistake straight away. Stop, breathe and reconnect with yourself.
Your move will be better the more present you can be right now. There is nothing saying that you can’t work yourself through a checklist and stay balanced at the same time!