There are lots of “for Dummies” books out there – Math For Dummies, HTLM for Dummies, Cooking for Dummies ,and on and on.

I haven’t seen a book on relocation for dummies, and I thought there really OUGHT to be one. Having spent the last year writing lots of articles about relocating on my Carlsbad Relocation A to Z blog, based on my own experience and from helping others through the process, I decided to summarize, in one place, some of the things YOU should know if you are planning to relocate.

In my humble opinion, relocation is NOT for dummies. You really need to know what you are doing on a number of fronts – selling your home, buying a new home at a distance, dealing with movers, learning about a new community far from your old one, possibly having to coordinate with a relocation company and understanding their relocation services, coping with kids and pets, and much more.

It can get expensive, it cause lots of anxiety and hand wringing, and things often happen that you don’t expect despite your best intentions.

Can I make your relocation seamless and anxiety free? Heck no.  Sorry, but it’s just not possible.

BUT I can give you some tips that may help you along your way, and start you thinking about some issues you may not have considered.

There’s lots to review, even in this summary, so here’s PART 1.

Let’s begin with some of the psychological and emotional stuff:

Are you feeling good about the move?  Or Perhaps Not? It’s normal. Even if you have made the conscious decision to relocate (what are YOUR reasons to relocate?), sometimes the feelings that crop up aren’t so pleasant. I can tell you from personal experience, and from those who I have worked with, that there will be a psychological and emotional impact of relocation.

Having made 4 significant moves myself, I find that there are things that I enjoy about relocation. And you will too, if you put your mind to it. It’s really taking a “glass half full” approach vs. “omigod it’s going to be awful, why am I doing this?”

I think it’s important to tune into your feelings, no matter what they are, so you can deal with them more effectively. And perhaps understand why you are feeling the way you are. Is it the unknown? What things are you afraid of? Do you regret making the decision? Is there sadness around leaving loved ones behind? Are you feeling some excitement about the new adventure?

Why not make your relocation memorable? Even though you may have mixed feelings, there are ways to make it a pleasurable experience, and perhaps one you will remember for many years.

Come back soon to read more about some of the more practical things you must deal with when selling your home in order to relocate.