If you’ve ever moved homes, apartments, or offices, you probably know that it can make you feel completely stressed out. In fact, moving consistently ranks among the most stressful life events, right up there with divorce, job changes, and loss. It’s not just about boxing up your belongings and hiring a truck- it’s the emotional upheaval, the countless details, and the sheer number of unknowns that can leave us feeling overwhelmed.
Right now at Tribe Mind Body Wellness, we’re experiencing this firsthand. Our Arvada office is in the middle of a move, and I’ve been reflecting on how this stressful process mirrors so many of life’s bigger transitions.
Why Moving Is So Stressful
On the surface, moving seems like a logistical task. You make a checklist, rent a truck, pack your boxes, and eventually unpack them on the other side. But in reality, moving disrupts much more than your physical space.
- Your environment changes. Familiar surroundings disappear overnight. That cozy corner or reliable commute you’ve gotten used to is suddenly gone.
- Your routine shifts. Moving means figuring out new rhythms: how to get to work, where to park, how to set up your kitchen or office so things flow again.
- Your connections may change. Moving to a new home or office often means leaving behind neighbors, favorite restaurants, or even colleagues who were part of your daily routine.
And layered on top of all this are the dozens of details you must juggle: signing contracts, updating addresses, coordinating with movers, setting up utilities, making sure the Wi-Fi is working, and somehow keeping up with your regular responsibilities in the meantime.
My Current Stress: Moving Tribe’s Arvada Office
This topic feels especially relevant right now because Tribe is moving our Arvada office. The process is exciting- we’re creating a refreshed space for our team and clients, but it’s also complicated.
Some of the things on my plate:
- Figuring out the timing of when the new suite will actually be ready. It’s getting new carpet and paint, and while that sounds simple, the schedule isn’t always predictable.
- Coordinating a moving truck and getting help lined up for the heavy lifting.
- Making sure internet service is ready to go on day one so telehealth and scheduling systems run smoothly.
- Planning around our clients’ sessions so that their care isn’t disrupted.
Each of these items is manageable on its own, but together they feel like a mountain. It’s easy to get stressed out when so much depends on factors you can’t fully control- like whether the contractors finish on time or whether the Wi-Fi gets installed without a hitch.
Life is Full of Unknowns, Which Can Make You Stressed Out- Just Like Moving
As I sit with the stress of this move, I’ve realized something: moving is a perfect metaphor for life.
Life is full of unknowns. We rarely have the complete picture of how things will turn out. We make plans, we prepare as best we can, and then we have to live with a certain amount of uncertainty. That’s uncomfortable, especially if you’re like me and prefer to know that things are under control.
But just like with moving, there comes a point where you have to trust the process. You can’t control everything, but you can do what’s in your power to make the transition smoother.
- You can pack the boxes.
- You can hire the movers.
- You can schedule the Wi-Fi installation.
And then you wait, hoping the timing lines up, adjusting when it doesn’t, and knowing that, eventually, you’ll land in the new space.
How to Cope When You’re Stressed Out by a Move
If you’re preparing for a move- whether personal or professional, here are some strategies I’ve found helpful (and am still practicing myself).
1. Focus on What You Can Control
You can’t control the contractor’s schedule, but you can control when you schedule the moving truck. You can’t control every unknown, but you can make progress on the pieces that are in your hands. This shift in focus can help reduce the sense of being overwhelmed.
2. Break the Tasks Into Manageable Steps
Looking at a move as one giant event is intimidating. Breaking it down into smaller chunks- packing one room at a time, updating addresses one at a time, confirming one utility at a time makes it more doable.
3. Build in Flexibility
Expect that something won’t go as planned. If you anticipate delays or surprises, you’ll be less thrown off when they happen. Leave buffer time whenever you can.
4. Take Care of Yourself Along the Way
Stress takes a toll on the body and mind. During a move, it’s tempting to push through without stopping, but eating well, sleeping enough, and pausing to breathe deeply are all crucial. They give you the energy you need to keep going.
5. Remember the “Why”
When you’re knee-deep in cardboard boxes, it’s easy to forget why you’re moving in the first place. Keeping your eyes on the long-term benefits– a home that better fits your needs, an office that serves your clients more effectively. This can help you stay motivated.
A Bigger Lesson About Stress
Moving reminds us that stress is often less about the specific event and more about how we relate to it. Life will always hand us stressful transitions- moves, job changes, family shifts, unexpected challenges. What matters is how we show up in those moments.
When we get stressed out, it’s usually because we’re fighting against reality. We want the move to go perfectly. We want every detail to line up. We want guarantees. But life doesn’t offer those.
Instead, the challenge is to stay grounded in what’s real today, take the next step that’s in our control, and trust that things will fall into place over time. This is hard, but it’s also freeing.
Moving Forward- Literally & Figuratively
As Tribe’s Arvada office moves into its new space, I’m reminding myself daily of these lessons. Yes, I’m stressed out by the unknowns. Yes, the details feel endless. But I also know that, in the bigger picture, this is about growth. It’s about creating a welcoming place for our clients and team. It’s about believing that even when things feel chaotic, there’s a path forward.
And isn’t that what life is about too? We make plans, we do our part, and then we step forward into the unknown, trusting that the next chapter will hold good things.
So, if you’re in the middle of a move, or any life transition, know that the stress you’re feeling is normal. Give yourself grace, focus on what you can control, and remind yourself that this stressful season is temporary. On the other side, you’ll find new possibilities waiting for you.
