Settling into a New Home

December 14, 2017 20 By EngineerMommy

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of CORT for PayPerPost. All opinions are 100% mine.

Moving into a new home can be a stressful experience any time of the year, but moving during the holiday season can be downright overwhelming. Coordinating a move, while still taking care of holiday-related shopping, cooking & decorating, is a lot to tackle in one month! Fortunately, there are some smart ways to make the transition easier and get everyone settled into the new home more quickly. I recently read a fabulous article, No Place Like (a New) Home for the Holidays, on the CORT blog – be sure to check it out for even more tips on having a smooth move. 

Acknowledge the change! There’s no doubt about it – moving can increase anxiety levels. It can even cause feelings of loss or grief over no longer living in the last neighborhood – that’s totally normal. However, it’s important to accept the realities of your situation. Accept the fact that it will be a busy time. Accept the fact that you may not know many people in your new neighborhood. By acknowledging these feelings (rather than pushing them away), you will more quickly come to terms with the reality of the situation. Take some time every morning with your cup of coffee (and maybe even a gratitude journal) to process your feelings and work on accepting them. cupcoffee

Set up primary living areas first! Once you move, looking at a stack of boxes 5 feet tall can be overwhelming. What do I unpack first? Where is my toothbrush? One smart tip for moving is to label boxes by the room, in which the contents belong. For example, place all your pots & pans in a box labeled “kitchen”. Place all your clothing in a box labeled “bedroom”. Then when it’s time to unpack, choose the primary living areas first! So that means the living room and bedroom should be set up before less important rooms (the home office, for example) are set up. bedroom

Build new traditions! The fastest way to make your new neighborhood feel like home is to build new traditions in your new area. Maybe find a local coffee shop that serves delicious java and get into the habit of picking up a latte from them every weekday. Maybe there’s a scenic dog park five blocks away and you can take Fido with you for a brisk jog after work. Find cool spots in your new neighborhood and establish rituals. It will quickly help you feel more comfortable in your new area.

Discuss feelings with family members! If you’re moving with family members, be sure to sit down and have a conversation with them about the move. Kids may react in different ways from adults. Even different adults may respond differently to a move. Find ways to comfort each other. For example, maybe you can encourage the kids to help unpack & decorate their rooms. It’s also a good idea to bring them to the local playground and encourage them to make new friends.

Decorate the space! To make a house feel like home, decorations are necessary. Unpack the boxes, decorate the rooms and add special touches. I always love a good DIY project! If you’re moving during the holiday season, try making homemade ornaments with the kids. We made these cinnamon stick ornaments a few years ago. Simply use hot glue to attach several cinnamon sticks together, add a bit of garland for visual interest, and attach a string for hanging. GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA

Make new friends! Making new friends goes a long way to feeling settled into your new neighborhood. Host small parties at your new place. Even if it’s just with a few neighbors, socializing will help establish relationships in your new area. Look for block parties or local community events. Find out if the kids’ school is hosting any upcoming events for parents. Even houses of worship often have events to meet others and get to know the community more.

With the right attitude and mindset, moving does not have to be stressful. Be sure to visit the CORT blog today and read No Place Like (a New) Home for the Holidays for more advice on having a smooth moving experience. And when it comes to furnishing your new space, find out how CORT Furniture Rental can easily make your house a home. Check out their convenient, affordable furniture rental options today. 

Have you ever moved during the holidays? What is your best moving tip? How do you settle into a new neighborhood?

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