Leaving

I moved after living in the same house for 50 years albeit to another part of the same town, my home town. So this was not too difficult for me as I moved because I wanted to, the area that I moved from had gone down a great deal, lot of rented accommodation became available as elderly neighbours/householders died.
The house held good and bad memories for me but the hardest part I found was getting rid of things that had been gifted to me by people who were no longer here. No-one keeps bone china tea-sets for best any longer, or cut glass trifle bowls etc.
This house I now live in is 7 years old. I did not realise at the time how important it would be for a house to be well insulated, but with the increasing fuel bills I am glad. Also, although I loved my garden, I found that anything more than 15 minutes gardening left my back in bits. In this house, the garden is small and I keep a few pots of flowers to enjoy.
What I'm trying to say is that there must be advantages to the move to your new house, try to get your husband to think what was getting him down in your previous house.

It is understandable you feel emotional about this. Just be kind to yourself this is a new chapter in your life, so let yourself feel how you feel and then move on and enjoy making a new home

I did that back in 2003. Went from the large, Edwardian family house to a 1930 terrace.

Bricks and mortar do not really contain our memories. They move with us - as do the photograph albums which aid those memories.

Perhaps taking with a couple of special plants from the old garden to continue in the new.

I think my AC (all in their own homes at that time), found my move harder than I did. Obviously, all of them their only memories had been of that house - and they all took their children over the years round to see the outside of that house. As far as I was concerned - well I could remember some of the bad as well as the good times, and was enthusiastic about starting the next phase of my life. My move, that time was less than a mile away. But 16 years later I made my last move and downsizing to a flat 150 miles away.

Again memories come with me - and again, an exciting new phase of my life - am enjoying it immensely
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I do think that it is normal when reaching that final stage of home moving, to have several minor panic attacks as to whether or not you are doing the right thing. I know I did, on both occasions. Deep breath and write down all the postives. Good Luck

You had reasons to want to move- remember them. Take a few photos of your home & garden & rooms before you pack up. Helps with the nice memories! We moved 5 years ago- have never regretted it. An exciting time! You don’t lose your old friends if you make efforts to keep in touch. Also will find new friends and hobbies in the new place- if you’re inclined. Look on it as a new adventure! Good luck

Bluefox we moved from a town we loved and hobbies we were both very involved in after 10 years and it was a wrench but we love our new larger house and are enjoying this new adventure seeing much more of our daughter. I wish you good luck, New friends and new adventures.

Bluefox

It is a combination of things. The unknown is one, leaving something familiar so try and turn it into an adventure

The house itself, it needs to release you and you need to say goodbye. It will happen, start packing now, it takes a lot of time and effort and bit by bit, those bonds will break. You might not realise it but that process has already started

Give your husband one small definite job at a time, packing ornaments would be good, get him to seal the box and label it and store it in a definite room. Keep him busy but only one task at a time, so it gets completed fairly quickly

Also plan ahead, task him with making scale drawings of the rooms in the new home and then you can both work out what is going where. Thinking ahead like this will help him to focus ahead and not behind

Yes we did that. Lived in the family home for over 40 years then moved over 250miles away to be near DD. New area we didn't, know and new neighbours etc. First few weeks were a little difficult as we got our bearings but really it has been the best thing we have ever done. Lovely area and wonderfully neighbours. So glad we were brave and did it. So I hope all goes well for you. ?

Maybe he's very attached to the place - or just worried about change and the future (aren't we all). Perhaps he needs to 'make believe' that he's having a holiday.

When I was suddenly whisked off to hospital, I was scared, so pretended it was just a little outing, to make light of it. I wrote down all my feelings and observations in a notebook (just writing distracts and calms me). My suspected heart attack, gripping pains in my arm, turned out to be just nerve reactions from a back injury!

Hetty58

It's done - so now you should be looking forward to your next place. It'll be exciting and refreshing to move there and get it just how you want it. There's no point in looking back - as you're not going that way!

Thank you. I’m good, my darling husband is really struggling. I feel I’ve run out of ways to try to help him.
You’ve responded to me previously, I so appreciate you being helpful. Xx

It's done - so now you should be looking forward to your next place. It'll be exciting and refreshing to move there and get it just how you want it. There's no point in looking back - as you're not going that way!