Deciding to Relocate
When making the decision to relocate, there are many complicated factors to consider. You may be leaving friends, family, and a job you love behind. You could be moving from a big city to the suburbs, or countryside and encounter a new world you're vastly unfamiliar with. Maybe you're married, and this seems like a great move for your spouse, but you're wondering what's the benefit for you, besides accompanying your spouse?
As you struggle with the decision of whether to move, or, perhaps it's why to move, I'd like to offer a great resource I've found when it comes to making big decisions. Debbie Ford, a Life Coach, wrote a great book called,"The Right Questions". It offers some excellent strategies that can help with these decisions. (Note: I do not know Debbie or get any proceeds from her book! This is just an honest review of a book I've found excellent in trying times, and one that I'd like to recommend to you!) And, generally speaking, this is an excellent book if you're not good at making decisions, or are confronted with a very difficult one and need some help.
In a nutshell, Ms. Ford suggests approaching difficult decisions with a core set of questions. I've summarized the ones I feel are most relevant to a relocation, but her book suggests a few others you might also find of use. I'll distinguish between the "Expat" and "Trailing Spouse" where necessary.
1. Will this help me reach the future I am wishing for, or does it leave me stuck in the past? In other words - if you have a goal for yourself, or your family, will this move help bring you towards that goal, or, can you work together to create a new, joint goal for your family? This one is great to ask together, as a family, and also individually. Ms. Ford makes the point that decisions based on fear keep you rooted in the past, whereas those that you make to support your dreams give you a sense of empowerment.