The Stress of Moving

By: Joe Mauricio

 

At the moment, we are still trying to settle in the apartment we’ve moved in. Believe me, it’s so stressful from finding the apartment that we like to making decisions on things to bring or not to bring, to packing, hiring and supervising, unpacking, decorating, cleaning the old place and the new place, etc.

Believe me, though stressful, we found an apartment that we really liked instantly that offers all the amenities that many people are looking for their daily, easy living…indoor & outdoor swimming pool, gym, spa, beauty parlor, grocery store, tennis court, racquetball, business center, party rooms, picnic area with grills, and more, at The Pavilion.

To add to all these is the renting and selling of the old and new properties at the same time, meaning dealing with two sets of problems and solutions. Many friends have sympathized with us, trying to reassure us by saying that it’s always like this (already forgot after 22 years of living in our old place). Yes, moving is proven to be the next stressful thing after your spouse divorced you.

But is it? Is moving really worse than other major life’s events? Like discovering you have terminal illness or your parents dying, or giving birth or looking after a newborn baby who doesn’t sleep at night, or even a job loss.

Moving represents a transition in life, it’s about change and unfamiliarity, and for many people, it causes stress and anxiety. As humans, most of us like familiarity, routine and order. When you’re moving, you have none of those. Plus it causes a ripple effect of change throughout your life…you have to find new grocery stores, banks, bus stops, new doctors, new pharmacies, and email clients and friends about the new physical and email addresses. The lack of order, uncertainty, and upheaval that sur-round a move can trigger underlying mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, as it puts a particular strain on families and relationships.

One thing, preparation can also help in managing stress levels, likewise, by moving a little bit of stuff at a time. You also will need a VERONICA for organization and mental alertness, who knew in advance what furniture and other items will go with each room in the new place and which ones to discard or give away from the old place, and maintaining her usual composure through it all. All of that will help the actual day of moving feeling a bit less overwhelming and more controlled.

As hard as it feels at this trying time, try to focus more on the positve side of things, embrace the excitement of a change instead of focusing on the diffculty of a move. And, if friends or family members are slow to offer help, damned you are if you ask for it as things might get more complicated as you don’t want them to be a part of this chaotic transition in your life.

We are sending special thanks to Veronica’s sister Rhodora and brother-in-law Nilo Gutierrez their friends Glenda Yu, Maurine Eusebio and Armie, for their terrific presence and amazing strengths in lifting heavy stuff; particularly our treasured bedroom mirrors; to Robert Chavez and his friends Todd, Tommy & Michael, for the much-needed muscle power, direction and organization.

Through all this stressful moving experience, a great idea came to my mind to write a book or an article about the topic of owning versus renting properties in America. By the way, our old place on 3108 West Belmont Avenue is still up for sale. Please contact us at 773-866- 0811 if there’s any interest. Remember that was the Via Times/CPRTV home for 22 years, and it has a historical value.##

Speaking of Woman Power for International Women’s Day, we thank the amazing strength of the ladies in above picture, from left, Maurine Eusebio, sis Rhodora Gutierrez & Glenda Yu & Armie (not pictured), and special man, brod-in-law Nilo Gutierrez, for the much-needed help with our move.