Packing Up Your House

What Do I Do With All My Stuff?! The Unexpected Freedom of Downsizing

If you're anything like I was, the moment you commit to moving abroad, two feelings hit you: sheer exhilaration and pure terror. The terror part usually involves looking around your house and thinking, "What do I do with all this stuff?!" As much as we all hate moving, packing up the house might actually sound like the easy part.

For me, the decision to take a bold step and move to Valencia wasn't just about changing my ZIP code, it was about changing my life philosophy. I didn't wait for retirement because I knew life is for living now, and I wanted a freer, healthier lifestyle. And I quickly realized that true freedom doesn't fit into a 40-foot container.

The Great Purge: Why Less Really is More

I’m here to tell you that the logistical headache of shedding possessions is actually one of the most liberating first steps you can take toward your dream life. The belongings we accumulate become anchors, not to a place, but to an old version of ourselves and the obligations that come with maintaining it all.

When you move abroad, the reality is stark: you can't take all of it. And that's a gift!

Instead of seeing a painful process, I began to see a great purge, an intentional shedding of the non-essential to make room for a vibrant new existence. For us it was a process leading up to the two years before our move. Every box donated, sold, or tossed was a conscious choice to prioritize adventure over accumulation.

That antique cabinet? It was never coming to a high-rise in Spain anyway.

That set of china? I'm having tapas on the beach, not hosting a formal dinner.

My Simple Rule for Deciding What to Keep

We all have sentimental items, but the vast majority of our stuff is just... clutter. To make the decisions easier, I shifted my focus from the past to the future by asking myself one simple question for every item:

"Does this serve the life I am building in Spain?"

If the answer wasn't a resounding Sí! (Yes!), it was time for it to go. This filter helped me move from the corporate-driven mentality of needing more to the Spanish philosophy of appreciating less. The result? Less storage, less stress, and more space for connection, exploration, and embracing the curious new world around me.

The true luxury of my new life is not a big house. It's the freedom of an open calendar and the easy ability to travel throughout Europe, unburdened by possessions.

¡Venga ya! Don't let your garage be the anchor that keeps you from your dream. Take that first bold step this week: pick one closet and start the purge.

Want to see the beautiful, light life that waits on the other side of this process? Follow me on Instagram, where I share glimpses of my freer life in Valencia every day!