How to Move Away From Family: Tips and Major Considerations to Learn
Some people choose to live near their families, while others choose to move away. There is no wrong decision. Yet, moving away is certainly a harder one to make, especially if you have close and warm relationships with your family.
Whether you move for a new job, the house of your dream in another location, or to be close to your loved one, it’s a big life-changing move. And it’s a challenge that will test out your ability and the ability of your family to retain strong bonds at a distance and presence in the lives of each other.
Difficulties and emotional burdens aside, moving away from family might be a great chance for you to start a whole new chapter in your life, become stronger and more independent, follow your own path, and boost your personal growth.
Do you struggle to make up your mind about leaving your family nest? Wonder how to announce your plans to your near and dear? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll find tips that will make this type of decision easier for you.
Weigh All Pluses and Minuses of Moving Away
So many men, so many minds. Something good for one person might turn out the opposite for another. While some individuals seek to move closer to their relatives, others think about moving away from family.
While many people might feel uncomfy and even guilty about their decision to split from their families and move to another city or even country, there is nothing wrong with it. The right decision is the one that is best for you. Hence, considering the pros and cons of moving away will help clarify what is right for you at the moment.
Pluses
Separating from your family and leaving a parent’s house is not always easy. It often feels intimidating and a bit frightening since you are not 100% sure what’s waiting for you ahead. However, there are a number of pluses to such a decision. Even embracing some of them is already exciting.
1. Independence
At some point, you might need to gain more autonomy to become a self-efficient personality and find your path. Moving away from family can give you a sense of independence and freedom that you may not have had before. You can make your own decisions and create your own life without being influenced by your family.
With no family rules to match, you’ll be able to set your own rules and build new routines. While recommendations and advice from your loved ones are valuable, they can be pushy and limiting to a certain extent.
Living away from family, you’ll get a chance to do whatever you deem necessary and gain your own experiences even when making mistakes. So all the hardships of moving away are well worth the feeling of being your own boss.
Along with independence, you’ll get more privacy, enabling you to focus on what you want and what really matters to you. You’ll be open to adventures and welcome new impressions in your life.
2. New Opportunities
While generally feeling ok, it might seem that you’ve been stuck and there is no progress in your life. When you relocate from your family, you expose yourself to new opportunities and try new things. You can broaden your horizons and gain a new perspective on the world.
New places will bring new people, activities, interests, and job options. Not only will you be able to scale up your career, but you’ll also get a chance to find new friends and build new relationships different from those you’d have in your home city.
3. Personal Growth
Moving away from family is a stress and a challenge. At the same time, it will push you to grow and develop as a person. You may need to learn new skills, solve problems you’ll encounter, overcome difficulties, and adapt to a new environment. All of this can help you become more resilient and confident and will definitely increase your self-reliance.
As a result, you’ll become more flexible, responsive to change, and capable of withstanding whatever life throws at you. In a word, you’ll pump up your personal strength and will be able to manage your life, no matter what.
4. Getting a Fresh Start
Family, friends, habitual routines, and the job you got used to give the feeling of stability, comfort, and security. On the other hand, it might feel like you go around in circles. So, if you seek a fresh start, you should break your comfort bubble and explore new places.
New scenery, foods, leisure activities, hobbies, and job options will let you look at your whole life, aspirations, and goals from another angle. By opening your mind to new cultures, traditions, and attitudes, you’ll make interesting discoveries and get insights that will induce exciting life changes.
Minuses
Though it looks like a great adventure, moving away and leaving your family behind is not easy. There will be hard times too, just admit it. Yet, forewarned is forearmed. Knowing the drawbacks and difficulties of such a big move, you’ll be able to handle them more efficiently.
1. Homesickness
One of the biggest disadvantages of moving away from family is that you may experience homesickness. You may miss your family, friends, home, and the familiarity of your hometown. You might feel alone or even abandoned when there is no one around to support you the way your family does.
These feelings and emotions are absolutely normal. They might come at once as a huge wave or flow over you from time to time.
Luckily, getting in touch with the people you love is not a problem today, no matter the distance. Advanced technologies allow you to connect to your family whenever you want. Besides, your near and dear won’t stop loving you and caring for you when you move away.
2. Stress
Moving to another place is a big affair that requires a lot of planning and thinking. And even when it seems you’ve taken care of everything, it turns out you’ve missed something when it comes to execution. Relocation entails accurate budgeting, financial and legal issues to handle, transportation, finding a place to live, and many other things that might knock you out of your stride.
Surely enough, you’ll need time to get used to a new environment, people, customs, and culture.
3. Financial Strain
It’s all about the money. Moving can be rather pricey, especially if you move over a long distance and have a lot of stuff and furniture to transport. Other moving expenses that will add to transportation costs include rent and utilities, insurance, medical expenses, and a whole bunch of other living and ongoing expenses you should think over in advance.
4. Feeling of Guilt
Saying goodbye to the people you love is easier said than done. It’s emotionally tough and often brings the feeling of guilt about your decision. Is it a selfish move? No, it’s not!
It’s normal to live your life how you want and follow your dreams and desires. It’s not selfish; you should not feel guilty for choosing yourself. It doesn’t mean you cut your relations with family and friends or won’t communicate with them anymore. Even at a distance, you can stay close if you and they want to.
Tips to Help You Decide on Moving Away From Family
Are you still in doubt about making a move? Not sure if it’s a good idea? Here are a few factors and aspects to look into that will help you make up your mind.
Find a Valid Reason to Move
Most often than not, people take the guts to make a big move for some meaningful reason. It might be the following:
- A new job promising an advance in your career;
- An affordable house that will improve your living conditions;
- New relations you are ready to sacrifice your comfort for;
- A more favorable climate that will help you feel better physically, etc.
Think about what makes you consider relocation. It could be any reason that matters to you. Then consider the options you have and weigh their pluses and minuses to understand what you’ll get and what it will cost you.
Check Your Financial Capabilities
As stated above, relocating could be expensive. Whether you move to a new house in another place or get a new job there, a financial impact will always be attached.
If you are dependent on your family financially to some extent, you should take into account any added expenses you’ll incur when moving.
To make your move less stressful and more adventurous, make sure you have financial reserves to get everything you need in a new place and support yourself for some time after moving.
Consider the Personal Benefits of Your Move
You should be able to enlist the benefits you’ll personally reap when relocating and leaving your family behind. Even simply moving to a place you want to live in is a big benefit since it will make you feel comfortable.
While some people move for opportunities and to make their dreams come true, others choose to separate from toxic family relationships. There are no two families alike. And not all relationships and close and intimate. So, moving to improve your overall well-being is also a benefit in certain situations.
Think If You Are Ready to Fall Out From Some Family Events
While you can stay connected to your family, it’s obvious that the distance and your new life rhythms and routines will make it hard to catch up with all family traditions, customs, and important events.
When you move, your life will be more autonomous and less connected to your family’s life by default.
Decide If You Are Ready to Create a New Social Network
Moving to a new place is about integrating into a new community, making new friends, and building new social ties. Some individuals find it inciting, while others are less enthusiastic about this idea.
How to Tell Your Family That You Are Planning to Move Away
Most likely than not, it would be a hard conversation. It’s important to be open and honest with your loved ones. Here are some steps you can take to approach the talk:
- Choose the right time and place: Find a time when your family members are not preoccupied or stressed, and choose a private space where you can have an uninterrupted conversation;
- Be clear and direct: Explain to your family that you’ve already made the decision and be clear about when you plan to leave. Don’t beat around the bush or give vague answers;
- Share your reasons: Let your family know why you want to move away, whatever your reasons. Be honest and open about your motivations;
- Listen to their concerns: Let your family articulate their concerns or objections about your decision and try to address their concerns as best you can;
- Reassure them: Tell them that your relationship with them is important to you and that you’ll make an effort to stay connected;
- Be prepared for their reaction: Your family members may react in a variety of ways, from sadness to anger to excitement. Be prepared for their reactions and try to be patient and understanding.
Final Thought
Moving away from family is a tough decision. Yet, it could be the best decision of your life, depending on your personal circumstances and goals. You’ll get a chance to explore new places and explore yourself. It could be a huge change that will turn your life upside down and change it for the better. Just consider all the pros and cons of such a move to make an informed decision.