Hello debaser, and others too
Someone wrote you something very simple and very true: Moving is stressful. One good thing is that once the move is done, the stress of that will also be gone. In the meantime, the very fact that you are reaching for ways to stay grounded tells me you are made of the stuff you need in order to overcome.
Before I offer my first suggestion, let me just say I understand moving stress a little. :0) My husband and I just spent 7 weeks trying to find a house to rent for June 1. We have to be out of here for June 1. We only found a place we could afford etc. about 2 days ago. Today things were finalized. Looking in the paper every day for like 50 days and not finding the answer was rather stressful! HEre's my point: Today, having found a place to live, I realized my whole body felt like a weight had lifted. It seems that there is just this general anxiety when one is living in a state of 'unfinished business.' So a lot of what you are feeling really is normal. That said, something practical I was thinking might help is an herbal product. I just bought it myself, but havn't tried it yet. However, I used to be friends with a holistic nutritionist and she recommended it. Also a few people (on another forum I used to post on) have tried it and seem to think it was a good product.
So, it's called "Rescue Remedy" by Bach. IT's an herbal tincture. The box says "To comfort and reassure." Apparently it is for use when the anxiety starts getting bad and it helps to calm things down inside. It's not something you would need to take on a regular basis therefore, but could be great to have on hand to help through especially tough days. Some health stores carry it. I found it in the natural/organic section of a local grocery store.
Also, a lot of the battle is really a mental one isn't it. Personally, after moving to this city last year, and being homeless for a month at that time because the house rentals for so few and went so fast...I was quite stressed that we might be homeless again before finding a new residence. What helped me was to constantly go back to thoughts that centred me - things I knew were true and unchanging in the midst of this upheaval of a time. In my case, my faith was central. I don't know if you believe in God or anything like that, but in a general sense, as someone else has said here "Things always have a way of working themselves out." That's a good thing to remember.
So I would say, do simple things like Remind yourself you are going to be okay. Say it out loud until you really feel it and believe it. Hearing yourself say it can be a really powerful way to re-enforce the truthfulness and impact of the words. Also, Remind yourself of all the amazing progress you've made in the last year. Write it out. Think about it. Say it out loud. When there is chaos or instability around us, then is the time to dig in and find stability all the more within. And you seem like you are on just such a journey. I'm certain you have what it takes to come through this all very well.
In the end, some things we can't avoid. We just need to walk through them. And you have the courage, (obviously!), the creativity and the strength to do just that. I know it's hard, but try not to think too far ahead. And if you do, remind yourself that there will be a solution that's there right when you need it. Just like nature - it makes no plans for tomorrow and yet every day it has what it needs. Things are just provided. So soak in some nice time in teh creation around you, adn think about the birds and let them remind you to trust the journey you are on. YOu don't know what tomorrow holds, but I believe that whatever you need to be there will in fact be there when you need it. Including the strength of your own person.
Okay. that was a long post!
1. Moving is the second highest stressor after losing a loved one. Fighting off anxiety is normal.
2. Try Bach's rescue remedy
3. Centre your thoughts by meditating upon and saying positive things outloud (And if you believe in God, think about His love and faithfulness regularly)
4. Get in nature and soak in the perfection of how everything finds its place
5. Remember, that this time period is temporary, and has a finish. And when it's done, you will have your new job in the very city you love. Remind yourself of this too
6. "Way to go!" in advance!
Anxiety is like pain. When one nerve gets activated, it sends a pain response to another, and then another and another. Pain is a chain reaction. That's why if a person takes tylenol BEFORE the pain gets bad, it is more likely to stop it, but once the chain reaction starts it's a lot harder. So sometimes with anxiety, fears pile up and we don't even realize it. By saying truthful and reassuring things out loud, I find it unravels those 'fear receptors' one by one until I am calm again.
blessings, manyembers