Downsizing is both practical and freeing when moving abroad. Start by categorizing your belongings into four groups: keep, sell, donate, or toss. Shipping large volumes overseas can be very expensive, and in many cases, it’s cheaper to rebuy basic items locally.
Focus on keeping things that are irreplaceable: important documents, personal mementos, and high-value or specialized items. Furniture, kitchen appliances, and even clothes can often be replaced at your new destination at a lower cost than shipping.
Organizing garage sales, selling through Facebook Marketplace or consignment shops, and donating to local charities can help you lighten the load and even fund part of your move. Downsizing forces you to reevaluate what really matters and it feels surprisingly liberating once you start.