Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by Kari-Ann Ryan
The initial excitement of moving to a new home can soon turn into disappointment. Regret is likely to creep up when expectations fail to match reality. Fortunately, regret is a manageable emotion. Here’s how new homeowners can manage their regret after moving.
Moving to a new place comes with a flood of emotions, such as frustration and stress as well as anticipation and excitement. Packing possessions carefully, preparing furniture, and saving money to pay for moving expenses, like a reliable moving company and travel costs, are stressful.
What is moving regret?
Regret upon moving can emerge, too. This emotion is defined as the belief that a past decision could have been made better and would have produced a more favorable outcome in the present. A person experiencing regret imagines how their life might have turned out differently.
People who dwell in regret engage in self-blame and guilt. They focus on the past rather than what new joys the present situation can bring. It’s a difficult emotion to feel but can be a driving factor that helps new property owners make better choices going forward.
Moving regret is the feeling of sadness or doubt that comes after moving to a new place. It can happen because you miss your old home, have trouble getting used to the new area, or feel far from friends and family. This is a normal part of moving, as everyone takes time to adjust to big changes. Knowing that moving regret is common can help you handle these feelings and start to enjoy your new home.
Why do people regret a move?
A number of reasons cause people to regret their relocation. While a move can seem thrilling at first, these positive emotions can die down and become negative, especially when the new homeowner is unpleasantly surprised by aspects of their new location. Missing one’s old life causes regret to set in.
Leaving behind friends and family to start fresh can trigger homesickness. Some individuals miss their old home, also leading to feelings of regret. A drastically different location, such as the countryside or a major metropolitan area, can be disappointing for those unused to the lifestyle.
Weather is also a major culprit behind regret after a move. Moving from sunny Florida to drizzly Washington can trigger regret. Similarly, relocating from a cold geographic region to a tropical destination might be disappointing for someone who thrives in snowy conditions.
How is regret managed?
Regret is an emotion that must be addressed rather than suppressed. Lingering in regret stops the new homeowner from appreciating the present joys. Those who believe they’ve made a mistake can, however, try to correct it and relieve their feelings of regret.
1. Accept Feelings of Regret
Accepting feelings of regret is the first step in moving forward. Realize that past mistakes do not add or subtract from an individual’s value. When moving to a new home feels disappointing, remember that it doesn’t define the future. People are capable of making better choices tomorrow.
2. Keep In Touch with Friends
If missing old friends and family is a cause of unbearable regret, keep in touch with them, especially during the first few weeks of living in the new place. Parents, previous neighbors, and friends can be a source of comfort as the individual begins to adjust to their new home.
3. Develop a New Mindset
Changing one’s mindset about the new home helps the property owner see the current situation in a more positive light. This calls for reframing the regret, rather than denying it. By reframing the adverse emotion, the individual sees the situation as a learning opportunity to build resilience and wisdom.
4. Make New Friends
Rather than languish in regret, it’s important for the new homeowner to get out into the community, meet people and forge new, lasting friendships. Building a social support network is vital to settling in and making the new location work in the long run.
5. Create a New Home
Right after moving in, the new house doesn’t feel like home. Feelings of disappointment and regret quickly emerge. But by hanging a favorite painting or placing a cherished memento on the fireplace mantel, the individual can start to make the new home truly feel like home.
6. Allow for Adjustment
Moving out of an old home means leaving familiarity behind. Relocating to a new, unfamiliar property, therefore, comes with discomfort and consequent regret. While discomfort is normal, individuals should give themselves plenty of time to adjust to the new environment.
7. Take Action
Deciding to move to a new home is done with current skills, knowledge, and experience. But if the move turns out to be a mistake, use the regret to fuel future actions. Avoid ruminating over unchangeable circumstances. Rather, use the acquired wisdom to make better choices next time.
Moving regret can be a difficult emotion to deal with, especially since the new homeowner has many other worries, like unpacking, getting settled, and becoming a part of the community. But lingering in regret is unhealthy and individuals are advised to use the above tips to learn to cope.
One regret you won’t have is choosing Mid-West Moving and Storage for your upcoming long-distance relocation. We take care of the move from start to finish. Our trained and experienced moving crews are available to handle the packing, transport, and unpacking at the destination.
We also offer several conveniences to ensure a stress-free move. Help planning the move, short- and long-term storage options plus free estimates give our customers extra peace of mind. Our seven-step packing service is efficient, with most homes being packed and unpacked within a day.
As professional movers, we’re careful when handling your valued possessions. Crews rely on specialized moving equipment to ensure that goods remain protected during the long-distance journey. Our movers remain conscientious about protecting your valuables and preventing damage throughout the move.
Our affordable rates, excellent customer service, and commitment to quality care during the handling of your possessions appeal to our wide base of satisfied local customers. Given our decades of industry experience, we are able to resolve unexpected issues with uncommon speed and efficiency.
Mid-West Moving and Storage is Chicagoland’s most trusted residential moving service. We have a long track record of successfully helping individuals and families relocate to greener pastures. Call our Elk Grove Village, Illinois, office today for an estimate for your upcoming long-distance move.
