Moving to a foreign country can be one of life’s most thrilling, demanding, and life-changing events. As someone who has moved overseas several times, I know that preparation and the right mindset are keys to a successful and stress-free relocation. 

Step 1: Letting Go of Unnecessary Items

Before you move, it’s important to declutter and get rid of as much as you can. This will make the moving process much easier and less stressful. As someone with a small child and the clutter that tends to accumulate with her, I found it helpful to start months in advance. I went through drawers that were getting overstuffed and sold or donated items that I no longer needed. This not only helped me get organized but also helped me make some extra cash.

Letting go of unnecessary items can be a difficult task, especially if you’re sentimental or have attachments to certain items. However, it’s important to remember that you’ll be starting a new chapter in your life, and it’s the perfect opportunity to let go of things that no longer serve you.

Step 2: Making a List of Necessities

One of the most important things to do when preparing for a move is to make a list of items that you want to bring with you. This should include things that are not easily available in your new country. For example, if you have a favorite brand of medication or supplement that you can’t find overseas, make sure to bring enough to last you until you can find a substitute.

When I moved to Italy, I made a list of items that I thought were not easily available, such as infant Tylenol, children’s Advil, my favorite probiotics, and my go-to face wipes. I made sure to bring enough to last me for a few months until I could find suitable substitutes.

Step 3: Letting Go of Children’s Items

Letting go of your children’s items can be particularly challenging. Children tend to accumulate a lot of toys and books, and it can be difficult to decide what to keep and what to let go of. I found it helpful to donate or sell toys and books that my daughter had outgrown. We also brought an intentional selection of her favorite toys and books to keep things consistent for her.

Step 4: Preparing Your Child for the Move

Preparing your child for the move is crucial. Children may feel anxious, sad, or confused about the move, especially if it’s their first time moving. We talked to our daughter’s pediatrician and followed her advice to be positive, give age-appropriate notice, and keep her routines consistent.

Saying goodbye to friends can be difficult, so we made sure to have one last playdate with each friend, took lots of videos, and talked about how we could stay in touch. We also said goodbye to our old house together and explained to our daughter that movers would be taking our belongings to our new house.

We emphasized that Mom and Dad would be there with her every step of the way and that the move was an exciting new adventure. We also made sure to involve her in the moving process, such as packing her toys and books. 

Step 5: Get a Moving Guide.

Moving necessitates a significant amount of paperwork, planning, and logistics. I highly recommend getting a moving guide that contains a checklist of things to accomplish before the move to ensure that you don’t overlook anything vital. 

Step 6: Keeping a Positive Attitude

Moving to a new country can be a scary process, but it is critical to have a positive attitude and focus on the wonderful prospects that await you. Accept the new culture, try new meals, and get to know your new surroundings. Remember that every problem is a chance for personal development and learning.

To recap, preparing for a move overseas includes purging unneeded stuff, compiling a list of necessities, letting go of children’s items, preparing your child for the transfer, obtaining a moving guide, and focusing on a growth mindset.