Why You Should Consider Moving for a Change of Scenery or Fresh Start

Losing a loved one takes a toll on you physically and mentally. While people grieve in their own way, many often take comfort in creating memorials and sharing stories and memories. As time passes, some find it easier to cope with grief, but many people crave a fresh start or a change of scenery to make living without their loved one more bearable. Sometimes, the answer is moving to a new place.

1. A New Environment Gives You New Perspectives

   According to IQ Matrix, many people turn to traveling after experiencing the loss of a loved one. Getting away from the environment that you shared with the person you recently lost gives you a break from painful memories everywhere you turn. When you travel, you spend time somewhere else and focus on new people and new opportunities.

   If being away from your environment makes it easier to cope with your grief, consider making your time away permanent by moving to a place you visited during your travels. You may have connected with a town, its people, or its culture, and you may be excited by the prospects of having new places to explore and giving yourself a mental break to gain new perspectives. Moving to a new town affords you a fresh start because you will have time to heal emotionally.

   When you do move, make the experience more manageable by hiring movers. You may not be up to the task of packing your belongings, especially if there are too many memories attached to them. If this is the case, hire movers that offer packing services in addition to moving services. You’ll also avoid asking friends and family who also may be struggling with their grief to help you move when you hire packing and moving labor. Just take a few moments to compare prices, as there have no doubt been plenty of expenses to deal with already. Hiring two movers with a truck will usually cost $90 – $120 an hour. Another way to make moving easier is to bring in professionals to give your old home a final cleaning instead of doing the work yourself. According to HomeAdvisor, hiring a one-time cleaning service in the Towson area costs between $110 and $252.

2. You Have the Chance to Create New Relationships

   Moving for a fresh start gives you the opportunity to create new relationships. After you lose someone close to you, you may have difficulty maintaining previous friendships or relationships because of the toll grief takes on you. Sometimes, the bereaved feel as though their friends never say the right things to them because they don’t understand their grief. Moving gives you the chance to create new relationships and connect with people who accept you as you are now.

   In her Fast Company article about making a fresh start, Stephanie Vozza advises readers to talk to strangers. While many of us talk to strangers only 2-3 percent of the time, we should do so more often because so many opportunities await outside our immediate networks. To make talking to someone you don’t know easier, say hello first and look approachable. Find something that interests both of you to continue the conversation and then ask for the person’s contact information so you can reach out again.

   When you move for a fresh start, make sure that the community you choose to become part of is a good fit for you and your family. Ensure the school districts are high-quality if you have children, look into the churches in the area if you are religious or want to regain your faith, check out the restaurants if you love to eat out, or visit local parks and cultural centers if you want to spend your free time outdoors and boost your knowledge and creative side. You also should consider these questions from the New York Times when choosing a new town.

3. You Can Be Yourself

   If you worry that you don’t know who you are without your loved one, move for a fresh start and let your individuality blossom. When you are on your own, you can explore your values and opinions without being influenced by your old circle of friends and family. You will be challenged in new and exciting ways, and you’ll get to make choices and decisions that will require you to learn who you are.

   If you feel stuck after the loss of a loved one, consider moving for a change of scenery or a fresh start. You will find that a new environment gives you new perspectives and the opportunity to create new relationships. You’ll also rediscover your individuality and take on challenges you never thought possible.