Moving from the home you’ve always known to a new place where you must make a new start can be very stressful. However, we can overcome our fears and learn to embrace change. It’s never too late and it can be done with some planning and the support of a caring team.
Creatures of habit
Why is change so hard to accept? We are creatures of habit. There is comfort in what we’ve always known and the place we’ve lived in for many years - even if keeping it clean and tidy is becoming more difficult, even if we can’t prepare the healthy meals we know we should be eating, even if our children and friends are no longer nearby and visiting those who are, is a struggle. We get used to the status quo even if it’s eroding our health or making us feel lonely and isolated and we often wait until an emergency forces us to make a move.
Why? How can we get beyond our fear of the unknown, of moving to a new place and away from the home that holds such good memories?
Home
It starts with how we think about home. What is it? A home is not a house - a building with four walls and a roof. A home is about relationships, it’s a place where we have a support system of people we care about and who care about us, where we feel well and physically safe, where we enjoy tasty, nutritious meals and have great conversations. It’s a place we are proud of because it is clean and tidy and decorated with our favourite things.
Home is a feeling that lives in our hearts and in our relationships much more than it lives in any building. And when our current surroundings no longer support that feeling of home, it’s time to move to a place that does.
Taking control
But how can you make that move? If you are fearful of change, if you are doing all you can to avoid or deny it, you may feel like you are losing control - you may feel powerless.
To embrace change you need to regain control by getting the facts in front of you and then deciding on a course of action. Change is much less stressful if you have resources to work with and you know what to expect.
It is important to remember that you’ve made many challenging decisions in your life and you can make this one too.
Research
The best way to get the information you need in order to make a decision is to research. The Comfort Life site is a great place to start. You will find resources for everything from dealing with your emotions to financing your move and choosing your new home. Compile the information yourself or ask a friend or family member to help you.
After you have done your research you will have the tools you need including a budget, a list of what you want in a retirement residence and a list of the residences you want to check out.
Your Team
It is very important to gather a team around you – a real estate agent, a financial advisor, someone experienced in downsizing and maybe a counselor. It is also important to have close friends and family members you can rely on. You will have good days and bad days so keep supportive, caring people close to you.
Don’t forget that you have made many challenging decisions in your life; this is just one more. You can do it. If you gather the facts and a supportive team you will have the resources you need to make the transition to your new home. And you’ll be embracing change without even realizing it.
Online resources:
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sec4/ch61/ch61b.html
http://powertochange.com/life/coping/
