Moving so stressful our problems are like Greek tragedies
TYou wish you had
settled for a self-inflating tent in the woods rather than downsize.
WO thirds of people said moving house was more stressful than divorce, the breakdown of a relationship, or starting a new job. Psychologist Dr Sandi Mann said: “Moving house can be a very overwhelming experience. It’s a massive upheaval, and we are inherently territorial creatures who like familiarity and routine, so it creates a lot of uncertainty and chaos in our lives.”
Perhaps I don’t have a lot to compare it with. I have never been divorced, the only relationship breakdown I can recall was in 1964, and I last started a new job decades ago when I came to Huddersfield and discovered a land of music, valleys, idiosyncratic people and great pubs. I fitted right in.
But I can confirm that moving house is stressful. It’s a period of uncertainty, doubt and worry that seems will never end and makes you wish you had settled for a self-inflating tent in the woods rather than downsize.
Less hassle, no solicitors, and so what if you need to take a shovel every time you go to the loo?
We have had the sort of problems that, to professionals working in the field, are everyday occurrences.
But when you are moving for the first time in 38 years, they become magnified into Greek tragedies and we are not even going to Greece. We’re off a mile down the road into the village.
Despite a computer crash that had threatened delays, we received the keys to the new house last Friday and carpets have been fitted throughout over the weekend in a rush that frayed nerves like a sliced shagpile. The house had been empty for some time and Dave, the vendor, had painted everything inside a neutral magnolia, a colour I like despite probably being passe.
Now all we have to do is select what furniture and possessions we are taking. No problem.
Maria and I have cut to essentials, although all the books are a necessity.
The pictures and photographs are another matter.
“We’ve been spoilt for space,” said Maria, which is one way of looking at it. Not the reduction of rooms, but a shrinkage of hanging facilities.
The new house has a garden shed. Perhaps we could put them there, floor to ceiling and hanging from the rafters? Just be careful when you get the mower out.
All being well, we should be in our new abode this week. Unfortunately, our wi-fi, telephone and T V connections cannot be made until after the festivities.
So it looks like we will be deprived of watching endless T V repeats and programmes of mock jollity. Shame.
Instead, this Christmas we will have to endure boxed set drama of our choice, books and music. Sounds all right to me.