Waking Up in Your New Home
That first morning in your new home may be very unsettling. You may feel excited and overwhelmed in turns — relieved that you've made it into your new home with all of your possessions intact yet distressed at all the work that lies ahead. No matter how carefully you've planned your move, your house is likely to feel chaotic on that very first morning.
Pace Yourself
That first morning, treat yourself to the luxury of your regular routines. Perhaps you always drink coffee in the morning — brew yourself a pot and then sit down with a steaming cup and notepad. You can make a list of the work ahead. Often, it is easiest (and least overwhelming) to unpack one room at a time. On your list, note which room(s) you want to tackle first.
Each time you open a box, plan to unpack it completely, break it down, and take it out to recycling or storage. This will cut down on the chaos. There are few things as confusing as trying to decide what to do next when you're surrounded by two dozen open boxes.
As you begin the work of unpacking, be patient with yourself! Unpacking can take as long as (or longer than) packing because it involves difficult decisions. Don't rush to hang your pictures, either. You can give yourself time to think about where they should go — it doesn't matter if it takes several months. Those blank walls are full of possibilities, symbolic of the infinite possibilities related to your home. Let yourself live with these possibilities instead of forcing decisions before you're ready.
Allow yourself time to settle into your new home, and take frequent breaks so that you don't become overwhelmed.
Create a Quiet Corner
Even if your new home is beautiful, it will probably feel chaotic those first few days as you struggle to bring order to the situation. It would help to create a calm corner where you can rest and recharge. Ideally, this space will include a comfortable chair, a small table for drinks and paperwork, and a lamp so that you're not forced to sit beneath the unfriendly glare of an overhead light.
If you have items of religious or personal significance, place them in your quiet corner so that the space will invite prayers and meditation. As you slowly settle into your new home, this corner can be your refuge. You can return to it again and again to rest and recharge. It can be a place of nourishment, reflection, and peace. A calm zone in the midst of the chaos can help you feel anchored as you begin to settle into your new home. You can reflect the peace you experience there to your family members, and they will feel calmer as a result. And remember, if you continue to take small steps each day to order your home and to make it beautiful, that little corner of peace can grow until it permeates the entire house.
