Moving home.

[Johan71]

I’m incredibly anxious about moving house. I’m retired. We live in a large home and moving to an apartment. Typical downsizing. The process of selling one home and moving into another is stressful and unsettling. I can’t help but think of the things that could go wrong. Will we sell?  Will I like the apartment etc etc. 

[indigo22]

Hello Johan71,

How did things go with the house on the weekend?

indigo22

[Johan71]

Thanks for following up. I’m pleased to say we sold, at a price more than we expected. Still anxious about what’s ahead but at least one worry bites the dust. 

[indigo22]

That's great, I am very happy for you. Turns out you are one of the 9 out of 10 😀

Hang in there,

indigo22

[indigo22]

Hi Johan71,

I am not sure what your timeline for moving was, have you moved as yet? If so, how did it go? And how are you felling about it all?

Hope all is well.

indigo22

[Johan71]

Dear Indigo

V grateful for your follow up.  And yes, while the move is not quite finalised, arrangements are proceeding well. And fortunately, my anxiety has abated somewhat. I’ve decided to get some professional help once the move is over. One of perplexing things about general anxiety disorder (at least for me) is that, as one set of (now proven) irrational fears fall away, another set quickly emerges to take their place. Uncertainty about what might happen, and the simple fact that you can’t speed up time to see whether those fears emerge or not, constantly challenges the mind. I’ve read a lot about mindfulness to block out irrational thoughts, but like most things, easier said than done. I hope the professional help will help overcome or at least mitigate that. 

Best wishes, and thanks again for taking the time to write.

Johan71

[indigo22]

I am so glad to hear everything is going well with the move and to hear that you are going to get some help managing your anxiety. You and I are on opposite ends of the scale, you are all about what might happen with your anxiety and I am all about what has happened with my depression. We will be here to support you if/when you need us. I wish you every success moving forward Johan.

[Johan71]

Dear Indigo

I thought I should touch base to see how you are going. We are all settled and adapting to apartment life. Even the dog is getting used to it. While still some mental adjustment to go through (I’ve lived kin suburbia all my life), all has worked out well. Your last email about opposite ends of the scale got me to thinking. My anxiety (and perhaps many others) was about what might happen. Yours, is about what has happened. Whilst people can plan for what’s ahead, and learn from what has happened in the past, in both cases there is little that a person can do about either. What will happen will happen, and what’s done is done. I guess the moral of the story is to live in the present if one can. Best wishes. And thanks again for taking an interest. Kind regards. Johan71