This blog is based on an episode from our Moving Emotions series, where we explore the ups and downs of relocation and how to take care of yourself through the journey.
If you’d like to watch the full episode, you can find it here.
When you’re moving—packing linen cupboards, sorting children’s boxes, filling out inventories, chasing insurances—there’s so much to do. But in the middle of all that, it’s worth taking a few minutes to think about your own well-being and the well-being of those around you.
Today, we’re talking about the emotional rollercoaster of relocating.
And it really is just that—ups and downs, twists and turns.
Relocation Is Like the Weather
How do we even begin to explain it? Honestly, it’s probably a little bit like the weather. One minute sunny, the next stormy, then calm again. You can change emotional states four times in a day—and that’s totally normal.
You might go from excitement to nerves, to terror, to discomfort, to joy, to anticipation, to sadness, and back to excitement again—all in the space of days or even hours.
Why? Because so much is changing. New things can feel wonderfully exciting, but also deeply challenging. And as humans, change is something we all need to work through.
The Overwhelm of Newness
Just this week, I was on the phone with a client family we’ve supported for over a year. The mother called in complete overwhelm.
School was full on. She needed a hem put in her daughter’s skirt but didn’t know where to go. She didn’t have a sewing machine. Little things—things that wouldn’t normally be a big deal—were suddenly mountains, because everything else around her was new.
And that’s what relocation does. It puts you out of your comfort zone. You don’t know the dressmaker. Grocery shopping takes forever because you’re reading every label. Supper takes twice as long.
It all feels overwhelming.
Handling the Emotional Rollercoaster
Reframe Your Emotions
Here’s the truth: circumstances are neutral.
Your flight gets delayed by four hours. That’s just a fact.
But the meaning you give it—the thoughts you have about it—create your emotional response. You might think, “Oh no, this ruins my plans,” and feel annoyed. Or you might think, “Great, more time for coffee with the kids,” and feel relieved.
The power lies in what you tell yourself.
So instead of expecting to feel overwhelmed and miserable, you can reframe it: “This is part of my adventure.”
Create Your Relocation Mantra
One powerful way to navigate the rollercoaster is to create a mantra for your relocation.
Something simple you can come back to every time a hiccup appears—because there will be hiccups. No relocation is seamless.
Your mantra might be:
- “I will face this with courage.”
- “I will stay calm.”
- “I will treat everything as an adventure.”
- “I will be excited so my kids will be excited too.”
Think of yourself as the hero or heroine of your own relocation story. Heroes don’t always get everything right, but they grow and learn from the adventure. And relocation is your adventure.
Allow Yourself the Hard Days
But let’s be real. Sometimes you will collapse in a ball of tears. And that’s okay.
Don’t compare yourself to others who seem to be breezing through their move on Instagram, having picnics in the park two weeks in. They have different personalities, support systems, and priorities.
You are you. Your journey is yours.
So yes—allow yourself a cry, then call a friend, your relocation consultant, or a loved one who can anchor you. Sometimes you just need a hug, a piece of sushi, or a bouquet of flowers to reset.
Create Tools to Lighten the Journey
Two simple practices can help shift your emotional state over time:
- Choose how you want to show up each morning.
Decide: Do I want to feel calm? Courageous? Adventurous? Even choosing to feel capable is enough to carry you forward. - Create a “Happiness Book.”
Collect images, quotes, or words that make you feel good. Save them in a notebook or digital folder. Only keep the ones that truly lift you up—no aspirational pressure, just genuine joy.
Over time, these practices build resilience. Little by little, you’ll find yourself feeling lighter, stronger, and less shaken by the inevitable hiccups.
Key Takeaways
- Have a mantra. Choose a phrase or emotion you’ll lean on when things get tough.
- Don’t compare yourself. Your relocation journey is unique.
- Allow your emotions. It’s okay to feel low sometimes—just don’t stay there.
- Reframe the story. Remember: circumstances are neutral. Your thoughts create your emotions.
- See yourself as the hero. You’re writing your own relocation adventure, chapter by chapter.
Because relocation isn’t about avoiding hiccups. It’s about how you face them—with courage, with perspective, and with the reminder that this is all part of your story.
