Picture this. It’s 11pm on a Tuesday. You’re sitting on the bedroom floor between two half-packed boxes, holding a school photo you forgot existed, and you can’t remember why you ever wanted to move in the first place.
If you’re moving house this autumn and that scene feels familiar, this one’s for you.
World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October, so this week we’re not talking about house prices, market conditions or what your property might be worth. Instead, we’re talking about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: what moving house can do to your head, and what can genuinely help.
Why does moving house feel so stressful?
Because it piles several heavy loads on you at once.
The decisions. There are hundreds of them, from choosing solicitors and removal companies to working out whether the sofa will actually fit through the new front door. Decision fatigue is real. By week three, choosing a removal firm can somehow feel harder than choosing the house did.
The waiting. Waiting for chains, surveys, searches, paperwork and someone to ring you back. Not knowing can be more exhausting than doing, and moving involves an awful lot of not knowing.
The goodbye. A home holds your history. Leaving one can feel like a loss, even when the move is happy, exciting and completely wanted. Add the financial pressure that can come with a house move, and it’s hardly surprising if you feel overwhelmed at times.
None of that means the move is going badly. It means there’s a lot going on.
What actually helps when moving house?
If you’re moving house this autumn, a few simple things can make the process feel much more manageable.
- Start earlier than feels necessary. Declutter before you start packing. The less you take with you, the less you have to carry, in every sense.
- Take it one room at a time. Don’t mentally pack an entire house in one evening. One room, one cupboard, one decision. Visible progress can make everything feel more manageable.
- Pack a first-night box. Kettle, mugs, chargers, bedding, toiletries, medication and the good biscuits. Anything you’ll desperately want when you’re surrounded by boxes and have no idea where anything is.
- Protect the boring basics. Sleep. Proper meals. Getting outside for a walk. Not particularly exciting advice, but it works.
- Say goodbye properly. Take the photos. Walk through the empty rooms. Let the children do the same. You’re allowed to feel something about leaving a place that has been part of your life.
- Accept help. When people offer to carry boxes, watch the children or make a cup of tea, let them. A second pair of hands can make a difficult day considerably easier.
- Ask for regular updates. Agreeing a regular update with your estate agent and solicitor means your brain doesn’t have to spend every day wondering whether something has changed.
When does moving stress peak?
Knowing the difficult points are coming can make them easier to deal with.
There’s the strange lull after your offer is accepted, when it feels as though nothing is happening. Then there’s survey week, when suddenly every creak, crack and comment in a report feels significant.
The days before exchange can be particularly difficult because the move feels real, but nothing is completely certain yet.
Then comes the final packing fortnight, when your home gradually stops looking and feeling like your home, one box at a time.
These are all normal stages of moving. More importantly, they pass.
Sometimes simply recognising which stage you’re in can make it feel a little less overwhelming.
What if it feels like more than moving stress?
Sometimes a major life change can bring other feelings to the surface.
If low mood or anxiety has settled in and isn’t shifting, speak to your GP. You can also contact Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time, day or night. Mind also provides practical information and support for anyone struggling with their mental health.
And if you need to pause your move, you can. Houses can wait. Your health comes first.
What about the children and pets?
If you’re moving house this autumn with children, remember that they will often take their cues from the adults around them.
Let them pack a box of their own belongings and give them the chance to say goodbye to their room. If possible, prioritise getting their new bedroom or a familiar corner set up quickly, so there is somewhere that feels settled from the first night.
Pets can find moving stressful too. Try to keep their normal routine as consistent as possible. On moving day, giving your dog or cat a quiet, secure room away from open doors, unfamiliar people and boxes being carried around can help. Familiar bedding, toys and smells can also make a new environment feel safer.
Can your estate agent actually help with moving stress?
More than you might expect.
We see the stressful side of moving every week, and part of an estate agent’s job should be to make the process easier to understand.
That means chasing updates so you don’t always have to, translating unfamiliar property terminology, keeping communication moving and telling you clearly and honestly where things stand.
So ask questions, even the one people often apologise for asking: Is this normal?
More often than not, it is.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most stressful part of moving house?
For many people, it’s the waiting and uncertainty, particularly when there is a property chain involved. You can’t remove that completely, but agreeing regular updates with your estate agent and solicitor can make the process feel more manageable.
How early should I start packing?
The week you decide to move isn’t too soon to start preparing. Begin by decluttering, then pack rooms and belongings you use least frequently. Keep everyday essentials until last.
Who can I talk to if I’m struggling?
Your GP is a good first step if anxiety, low mood or stress isn’t improving. Samaritans can also be contacted free on 116 123, 24 hours a day, and Mind provides practical mental health information and support.
If you know someone who is moving house and might find this useful, please share it with them.
What the EAN logo means for you
We are proud to be part of the Ethical Agent Network (EAN), a national network of independent estate agents who have been independently checked against strict standards of honesty and service.
You cannot simply pay your way in. Membership has to be earned and can be taken away.
For our customers, it offers additional reassurance that we are committed to doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching.
If you would like to know more about the Ethical Agent Network, please get in touch or visit their website.
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