May 4, 2023 Posted in Coping with Relocation
Milly Andrews

Born and raised in Portland, Milly has had a lot of experience moving and writing about the relocation process.

How to Cope With Moving Away From Family

Relocating away from family can be an emotionally challenging experience, filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. In this guide, we will explore various strategies on how to cope with moving away from family, so you can successfully navigate feelings of sadness, homesickness, and the stress of adjusting to a new life – and relocate without a fuss.

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Our guide is here to help you manage the emotional stress that comes with leaving your home

Coping with moving away from home involves a balance of maintaining connections with your loved ones and embracing your new environment. It’s essential to acknowledge your emotions and give yourself time to adjust. Stay in regular contact with your family but also focus on building a support system in your new home. By nurturing both your relationships back home and your personal growth in your new environment, you can successfully navigate the challenges of relocating from your loved ones.

Acknowledge All of Your Feelings During the Move

First of all, you need to give yourself permission to feel. It’s normal to experience a mix of emotions, such as sadness, excitement, anxiety, and fear of relocation. Allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment. Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor. They can offer support, understanding, and advice to help you navigate your emotions.

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a therapeutic way to process your emotions, track your progress, and gain insights into your emotional state. At the same time, don’t forget to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, and engage in activities you enjoy.

While it’s important to acknowledge the challenges of relocating away from family, also remind yourself of the positive aspects, such as new opportunities, personal growth, and a fresh start. However, understand that adjusting to a new environment takes time and that it’s normal to experience ups and downs during the process.

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This life change can bring a lot of benefits down the road - and you should look forward to them

Make a Plan to Keep in Touch With Family Members

Making a plan to keep in touch is essential to maintain strong connections and provide emotional support. Apps like Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime enable face-to-face conversations with your family, creating a more intimate connection. Schedule regular video calls to catch up and share experiences. On the other hand, messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Viber allow you to stay connected throughout the day, sharing updates, photos, and voice messages with your loved ones.

At the same time, note that traditional snail mail can be a thoughtful and personal way to keep in touch. Handwritten letters or postcards can convey warmth and sincerity, creating a lasting memento for your family members.

When relocating from family, remember to plan virtual family events. Schedule virtual gatherings, such as birthday parties, holiday celebrations, or game nights, using video conferencing platforms to maintain a sense of togetherness despite the distance. In the end, establish a regular communication schedule. Determine a frequency that works for both you and your family, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly, and stick to it. Having a set schedule creates consistency and ensures that everyone stays connected.

Make the Whole Move Easier by Planning Ahead

Planning ahead is necessary if you want to ensure a smoother transition when moving cross-country. Start by creating a comprehensive relocating-to-another-state checklist that covers all the tasks related to packing, transportation, and settling into your new home. In the beginning stages, you should also decide where to live and start researching your new location, after which you need to establish a realistic budget for relocation and living expenses to avoid financial stress.

At the same time, don’t forget to mentally prepare yourself for the emotional challenges of this kind of relocation. Acknowledge your feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms for homesickness, such as creating a comforting space in your new home or practicing self-care. By planning ahead and addressing both the logistical and emotional aspects of relocating to a new home out of state, you can facilitate the transition to your new life.

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Try Hard to Land a New Job

Getting a job before the relocation provides financial stability, reducing the stress of adapting to a new environment. Having a steady income allows you to focus on building connections and settling into your new home with fewer worries. Additionally, a job offers a structured routine and opportunities to meet new people, fostering a sense of belonging and helping to build a support system. If you’re not sure how to land a job from afar, take a look at some of the valuable tips from the video below:

Find a Place to Call Home

Finding a place to call home is essential for creating a comfortable and welcoming environment in your new location. Remember – by carefully selecting a place to call home, you can ease your transition and adjust to a new location more quickly. Consider the following factors when searching for your new home:

  • Locationpick a city or neighborhood that aligns with your lifestyle, interests, and needs,
  • Budget – determine a realistic budget for rent or mortgage payments, keeping in mind the cost of living in your new area,
  • Safety – use apps such as AreaVibes to research the safety of the neighborhoods you’re considering,
  • Size and layout – evaluate your space requirements and desired layout, taking into account your current and future needs,
  • Rental or purchase terms – whether you are buying or renting an apartment, review the lease or purchase agreements carefully, ensuring you understand the terms, conditions, and any additional fees involved.

Hire Cross-Country Movers to Assist You During the Relocation

Reliable long-distance movers, such as Cross Country Moving Company, have the experience and expertise to handle lengthy moves efficiently and safely, reducing the risk of damage to your belongings. Hiring cross-country movers can save you time and energy by handling the heavy lifting, helping you avoid injuries while relocating to a new state as well as common relocation mistakes. Additionally, getting cross-country moving services can and will alleviate some of the stress associated with relocation, allowing you to focus on adjusting to your new environment and staying connected with your family during the transition.

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Experience professionals can help you with many different relocation aspects

Utilize as Many Long-Distance Moving Services as Possible

Researching cross-country moving companies and getting multiple services from a chosen mover can significantly ease the relocation process, freeing up time and energy to focus on emotional well-being and maintaining family connections. These services can offer a wide range of support, including:

  • Packing – professional packing services ensure your belongings are securely packed and organized, minimizing the risk of damage during transit.
  • Vehicle transport – if you’re moving across the country, get professional auto shipping services that can help you transport a car, saving you the time and effort of driving long distances.
  • Storage solutions – in case you need temporary storage for your belongings, find movers that offer storage facilities with flexible rental periods.
  • Relocation insurance – obtaining moving insurance provides extra peace of mind by protecting your belongings against potential damage or loss during the relocation process.

By taking advantage of these relocation services, you can streamline your move and minimize the stress associated with relocating, allowing you to focus on building a new life.

Build a Support System in Your New City

Building a support system after you’ve settled into your new home is vital for cultivating a sense of belonging, alleviating feelings of isolation, and establishing a circle of friends and acquaintances who can provide assistance and motivation.

To create a strong support system in your new location, consider participating in local events such as community gatherings, festivals, or workshops, which offer opportunities to meet new people and immerse yourself in the local culture. Seek out clubs, organizations, or interest-based groups that align with your hobbies, sports, or passions. These environments can be excellent for forging friendships with like-minded individuals.

Online platforms, such as Meetup or social media groups, can assist you in discovering events, activities, and groups in your new city, serving as valuable starting points for building connections. Still, remember that maintaining a positive attitude and being open to new experiences and friendships is crucial.

Embrace Your New Environment and New Friends

By exploring and learning about your surroundings, you can develop a greater appreciation for your new home and create meaningful connections with the people you meet. Embracing change and trying new things can lead to personal growth, increased confidence, and a more fulfilling life in your new location.

Stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging in activities unique to your new environment can provide a sense of excitement and accomplishment. Additionally, trying new things and meeting new people can lead to a broader perspective, allowing you to grow both personally and professionally.

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Forging new friendships can help you create a rich and rewarding life in your new location

Learn to Take Care of Yourself

Prioritizing self-care can significantly impact your overall well-being and ability to cope with challenges, making it essential to focus on both your physical and mental health during this period of transition.

Self-care plays a vital role in maintaining a balanced and positive mindset, helping you manage stress, overcome obstacles, and adapt to your new environment more effectively. By taking care of your physical health, you lay the foundation for emotional resilience, enabling you to better navigate the ups and downs that come with relocating for the first time away from your loved ones.

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Taking care of yourself is necessary for successful coping with this big of a life change

Learn How to Cope With Moving Away From Family and Enjoy the New Adventure

Learning how to deal with moving away from family and embracing new adventures is crucial for a successful and fulfilling transition – and we’ve provided you with all the necessary advice. However, the most important thing to remember is to embrace the opportunities that come with change and approach this new chapter with an open mind and a positive attitude.

After all, the key to thriving in your new home lies in your ability to adapt and grow, turning the experience into an enriching and unforgettable adventure. And, of course, when you want to secure a smooth transition right from the start, don’t hesitate to contact us and let our long-distance moving company provide you with the best cross-country moving service.

FAQ

How Do I Cope With the Sadness of Leaving My Family Behind?

Coping with the sadness of leaving family behind involves acknowledging your feelings, finding healthy outlets for emotions, and focusing on the relocation benefits of your new journey. Stay open to new experiences, and keep in mind that your loved ones are still there to support you from a distance.

What Are Some Effective Ways to Stay Connected With Family From Afar?

Effective ways to stay connected with family include regular video calls, sharing photos and updates through social media or messaging apps, sending handwritten letters or care packages, and planning visits when possible. After relocating to a new city, utilize technology to bridge the distance and maintain a sense of closeness.

How Can I Make New Friends and Build a Support System in a New Place?

To make friends in a new city and build a support system, engage in local events, join clubs or organizations related to your interests, volunteer, and be open to meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Be proactive, patient, and open-minded when forming connections.

How Do I Deal With the Stress of Adjusting to a New Environment and Culture?

Dealing with the relocation stress of adjusting to a new environment and culture involves giving yourself time to adapt, seeking out local resources, and learning about the new culture. Be patient with yourself and ask for help when needed.

How Can I Manage Feelings of Homesickness and Nostalgia?

Managing feelings of homesickness and nostalgia can be achieved by creating a comforting space in your new home, maintaining traditions or routines from your previous life, and finding local connections to your heritage. Embrace your feelings while also appreciating your new surroundings.

How Do I Balance My New Life With My Obligations to My Family Back Home?

Balancing your new life with obligations to family back home requires effective communication, setting boundaries, and prioritizing both your personal growth and family commitments. Be honest about your needs and keep in touch with friends and family to maintain a strong relationship.

How Can I Maintain a Sense of Connection With My Cultural or Religious Identity When Living Away From Family?

Maintaining a connection with your identity can be achieved by seeking out local cultural or religious organizations, celebrating holidays and traditions, and sharing your heritage with others. Stay connected to your roots while embracing your new environment.

What Are Some Practical Tips for Managing the Logistics of Moving and Settling Into a New Place?

Practical tips for managing the logistics of relocating and settling into a new place include creating a relocation checklist, researching local resources and amenities, setting a realistic relocation budget, and giving yourself time to adjust. Stay organized and ask for help when needed.

How Do I Deal With the Guilt or Anxiety of Leaving Behind Elderly or Sick Family Members?

Dealing with guilt or anxiety about relocating to another state involves maintaining open communication, arranging support systems for your loved ones, and understanding that your personal growth and well-being are important too. Remember that taking care of yourself enables you to better support your family.

How Can I Make the Most of My New Environment and Find Opportunities for Personal Growth and Exploration?

Always be open to new experiences, but also set personal goals and seek out opportunities to learn and connect with others. Embrace the change a relocation to a new state brings and see it as a chance to grow, learn, and evolve.

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