HOW TO DOWNSIZE TO MOVE ABROAD
You finally did it! You made the leap and are now planning your move abroad.
Congratulations!
Moving abroad can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be scary, overwhelming and stressful.
There is so much to do beforehand, and once you arrive, to make sure your move goes as smooth as possible. Making sure you can live without your favourite things is, surprisingly, one of the hardest parts about a big move. Yes, the paperwork can be a nightmare, yes it may be hard to find an affordable place to live. But, you’re leaving your home, and although it may seem materialistic, there are many items in your life that make your home, well, yours. We put together some tips to make your downsizing a little easier.
Essentials
Before you do anything, figure out what you can’t live without. Essentials don’t have to fall under the toiletries, food, or clothing category; they can be your favourite books, a favourite mug, or even linens. Moving abroad can get lonely, especially at first, and having a few things that make you feel comforted and remind you of home can be a good thing. Find out what you can’t live without, then figure out how it will fit into your new lifestyle and home.
Make the 3 Piles
Once you’ve figured out what you will need/want to take with you, downsize a little more. Make the classic three piles: one to keep and store, one to take with you on your new journey, and one that either goes to trash, or to charity if it’s still in good shape. Downsizing is a process, so it’s okay if your ‘take’ pile is a little large at first; you can start to pare it down as you plan out your move and think about whether or not the item is really important.
Do you really need 10 make-up palettes? Most likely not. Start with the easy things to get rid of, like excess cosmetics, using them up before your move, or donating unopened products (c’mon, we all have them) to charity. Then, move onto the harder things.
If you feel unsure about an item, store it! It may seem crazy to store a lot of things, and you may end up opening up that storage locker years from now and wonder just why you saved that ottoman you didn’t really like (moving can make you feel nostalgic and weird), but it will be a much better feeling than one of disappointment because you junked it too fast.
Find Storage
If you have the idea that you will be moving back and there are some things you can’t part with (think grandma’s china, book collection, or a really beautiful couch set), then look into a storage unit. This will keep your stuff secure and ready for you when you do decide to return home.
Rent or Sell
Figure out your plan for your home. Do you own it? Will you be renting it out and will you have someone who can look after it? Will you sell? Do you need to sublet? This is part of your downsizing plan for moving abroad, and one of the biggest. If you need to sell your place before your move, try moving into a smaller space so you won’t get bogged down with clutter, making
Essentials
Before you do anything, figure out what you can’t live without. Essentials don’t have to fall under the toiletries, food, or clothing category; they can be your favourite books, a favourite mug, or even linens. Moving abroad can get lonely, especially at first, and having a few things that make you feel comforted and remind you of home can be a good thing. Find out what you can’t live without, then figure out how it will fit into your new lifestyle and home.
Make the 3 Piles
Once you’ve figured out what you will need/want to take with you, downsize a little more. Make the classic three piles: one to keep and store, one to take with you on your new journey, and one that either goes to trash, or to charity if it’s still in good shape. Downsizing is a process, so it’s okay if your ‘take’ pile is a little large at first; you can start to pare it down as you plan out your move and think about whether or not the item is really important.
Do you really need 10 make-up palettes? Most likely not. Start with the easy things to get rid of, like excess cosmetics, using them up before your move, or donating unopened products (c’mon, we all have them) to charity. Then, move onto the harder things.
If you feel unsure about an item, store it! It may seem crazy to store a lot of things, and you may end up opening up that storage locker years from now and wonder just why you saved that ottoman you didn’t really like (moving can make you feel nostalgic and weird), but it will be a much better feeling than one of disappointment because you junked it too fast.
Find Storage
If you have the idea that you will be moving back and there are some things you can’t part with (think grandma’s china, book collection, or a really beautiful couch set), then look into a storage unit. This will keep your stuff secure and ready for you when you do decide to return home.
Rent or Sell
Figure out your plan for your home. Do you own it? Will you be renting it out and will you have someone who can look after it? Will you sell? Do you need to sublet? This is part of your downsizing plan for moving abroad, and one of the biggest. If you need to sell your place before your move, try moving into a smaller space so you won’t get bogged down with clutter, making
Share this post:
