Part 8 of 31 Things Americans Should Think About Before Moving Abroad : Decluttering Before Moving Abroad

Is your stuff the biggest barrier to making a big move?Does the thought of cleaning out your basement send shivers down your spine?

This is Part 8 of my 31-day series: 31 Things Americans Should Consider Before Moving Abroad. I’m Darien, an American who moved to the Netherlands at 50, and today’s topic is: the stuff that’s holding you back.

Too Much of a Good Thing

If you’re moving abroad as a young adult, downsizing is usually no big deal. But for those of us in the sandwich years and beyond, it's a whole different story.

By midlife, many Americans have a house full of treasures: heirlooms, sentimental keepsakes, and "someday I might need this" boxes of clutter stacked in the garage. Maybe you’ve even inherited belongings from your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents.

When it comes time to move abroad, that stuff becomes a real challenge. Decluttering is a first step for most people who are ready to move abroad (after you've completed my free values and vision worksheet, of course!)

Three Options for Decluttering Before Moving Abroad

If you’ve outgrown the ability to store a few boxes in your parents' garage, you typically have three choices:

• Store these items until you return (if you plan to return).

• Pay to ship them to your new location—but remember, U.S. houses are generally much bigger than homes abroad.

• Let them go.

None of these options are easy.

Decision Fatigue Is Real

Sorting through heirlooms and belongings takes time—and a lot of emotional energy.

You could hire an estate sale company, but as I learned the hard way, they often need months of lead time, and in my case, I didn’t have enough high-value items to make it worth their while.

Instead? I:

• Ran eight straight days of garage sales

• Listed items online

• Sold special pieces to friends

• Made multiple carloads of donations

A snapshot of our eight straight days of garage sales

Yes, I did ship some items abroad—but we’ll save that for another day.

The Emotional Side of Letting Go

For many Americans, stuff is a real barrier to moving forward. It represents identity, memory, and family history. Letting go of physical objects can feel like letting go of a part of yourself.

But here’s what I can tell you:

Once you’ve done it, you feel so much lighter.

Your life abroad isn’t about the things you bring with you. It’s about the space you make for something new.

Did you find this helpful? Are you planning a move abroad? Work with me to make your move from a place of clarity and organization.