Extreme DECLUTTERING to move abroad *starting with my wardrobe*

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» S U B S C R I B E »

» I N S T A G R A M »

» Time Stamps »
00:00 Intro
01:19 Let's start decluttering
03:07 Feeling mildly disheartened
06:41 the decluttered pile
08:10 How I get through decluttering (what I'm listening to and reading)
09:19 A big thank you to Pela Case (sponsored segment)
10:11 Putting away the clothes I'm keeping
10:55 Sentimental
14:10 Packed the clothes going to the US

» D E C L U T T E R I N G S E R I E S ! »

» B U D G E T I N G S E R I E S ! »

» W A T C H M O R E ! »

In today's video I share with you my process of decluttering my entire life to move abroad. This is a moving vlog from my house, or you could see it as a moving vlog packing in preparation to move. Declutter with me in real time!

Thanks to sustainable living, eco minimalism and zero waste living, I have much less to declutter than I otherwise would. My lifestyle is the result of tiny habits I've built from living a zero waste lifestyle for 5+ years. I include my thoughts on sustainably decluttering, making things from scratch and living like a minimalist. There are some sustainable habits that I love, some zero waste things I don't love so much and a few I regret. I hope you find this video helpful and don't make the same mistakes as I did! Always try to join a collective or local community.

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[ImmyLucas]

Today's video is all about that final stretch before moving. Decluttering once again to really get my stuff to a minimum so that I don't have to ship anything abroad to move! I want to be honest with myself what I will and won't use and hopefully at the end of this series I'll only have a couple of suitcases of stuff! Immy xx

[gaia]

A little tip: take a photo of whatever you wish to get rid of; you will free up some space but you'll keep the sentimental value of the thing through the photo everytime you look at it

[rebeccab]

I've moved internationally a couple of times. I was pretty cut throat and STILL ended up keeping things I didn't use in the end and eventually decluttered in the new place. Honestly, keep things like the bike that are both genuinely useful and sentimental. Don't get caught up on things you can replace like cameras and clothes. I totally get you wanting to be sustainable, but remember... Moving it costs fuel too and keeping it without using it doesn't do the environment any better than getting rid of it. Good luck!!

[hollypop]

I flew with my bike recently and it was not too difficult! I am so glad to have my old bike in my new home 🏡 I was also nostalgic about my bike 🥰

[natkutcher]

It's okay to be sentimental about some objects and want to keep them! I think your bike is a great example of a sentimental item to keep: you genuinely use it, and you have multiple emotional ties to it, including a historical tie that it was your Dad's bike! That's so cool. I have a sewing thimble that I use every time I hand sew something (I've been doing a bunch of hand-mending recently) that was my mom's. Several years ago I mentioned that I wanted to buy myself a thimble, and my mom said to just pick one out from her small collection of (mostly ornamental) thimbles. The one I picked is obviously for actual sewing, and I believe it is an antique, because it is much higher quality than any thimbles I could buy in a box craft store today. I really like having a small connection to my mother and to other people who used this thimble in the past.

[JuliaRoseHabertoes]

So sorry for your loss, and I really relate to what you said about giving away the dress that reminds you of your friend. I'm having a similar experience cleaning out my dad's house. He passed in February and it's a bittersweet feeling to go through and decide what can be let go of.

[MarcelaDiaz-yqcs]

I started this journey in 2018 when I married my wonderful husband. He's a US citizen and I'm Mexican. The VISA process is dehumanizing and plain exhausting when you don't look white. I lost too much to be here, now... Breathe, Immy. Stuff is just stuff. Be grateful and know how lucky you are. I know you both will be just fine 💜 Sending you tons of love and resilience 🙏

[mdkinfrance]

I did this at age forty when I moved from Canada to France. My husband took an extra suitcase with him and I moved over with 2 suitcases and 5 boxes that I sent by freight. The boxes were surprisingly not that expensive to send (about $100 CAD each, if I remember correctly). I'm so excited for you! ✨

[prairieheath]

When I moved from Canada to Egypt, and then back again, I found it really helpful to roll my clothing then put it in those packing bags, especially when ut came to customs and having them go through bags. For the plane trip I brought my favorite lap quilt, travel mug, tea bags, snacks and food (you can bring sliced fruit if it's in containers) on the plane and they were comforting on long flight, and when I missed home. Plus at the airport you can get free hot water which is budget friendly.

[mellibee]

I moved to Nashville 24 years ago from Balham! I totally get how you feel - especially about the bike. I brought my bike over - I was also VERY attached to it, but I ended up giving it away as my lifestyle here is very different to what it was in London. I have a different bike now and I still live to cycle when I can. Good luck! It is hard in the midst of all the decisions, but once you get to where you are going you will be fine - you're living the adventure!

[luna]

it is weird as i can feel what you express about the bike..i move many times and weirdly i was taking my old bike with me.. i even let all furnitures and all apart my bike once.. and few clothes books and few personal items and work stuff (compu camera..) . by getting used to move. i got used to let go i thought. but then I settled 6 years and now i feel to move for a new chapter of life.. and weirdly now.. i feel harder to detach of stuff now.. even i kept minimal sincerely (depending on what i feel my needs of course, each one we are different :) and so discovering back your channel today helps me to let go, detach and focus on the beauty of the new step more than what we let..focusing on the new and helping to let go.. as a lot of sad and difficult has been too.. so i even feel liberating to let go the things...not easy but to start new too.. for the lovely new season coming up :) thank you :) have a lovely new step too :)

[weekswithemma]

I'm in the midst of decluttering too, moving from the U.S. to Switzerland for grad school! This is super inspirational since I do have my fair share of sentimental items. Best of luck with your move :)

[weronikawalker]

I'm sorry for your loss. Loosing a friend is so hard... I hope you are doing all right or as much as that's possible.
One thing I noticed in the last years (I moved to a different country years ago but I also work seasonally and sometimes travel in the winter): I never really miss any of my stuff. I put things in storage when travelling for couple of months (it's cheaper than keeping an apartment) and the only things that I ever wish I had with me are certain books (that I can always borrow) or comfort things that make me feel like home, such as my sourdough starter and herbal oils and vinegars, etc. So don't worry about getting rid of too much stuff. Objects are replaceable. There is a good chance that you can find something similar in a second hand store if you really need it.

[cherylmoller]

I moved to the US from Australia 8 years ago. I took a 65L backpack, a large suitcase, a large carry-on bag, a laptop, and a textbook - basically all I could carry. Vacuum bags were a must! And I had my 3 pets flown across 3 weeks later. I kept a few things at my parents place which I have been either donating when I get back, or bringing back with me when I visit. Would your parents be ok with that?
I was amazed how sparsely I could live initially, and over time I have slowly purchased things with either changing hobbies, or for comfort. Now I have about the same amount of stuff that I used to which seems to be my happy equilibrium.
I don't regret anything I donated or gave away before I left.

[xariacampbell]

i’m moving to australia from the u.s. in 2 months and i’ve started to do this exact same process. it sucks for me because i love to sew and alter things i’ve bought secondhand and so i have this big stack of clothes sorted out that i’ve never worn because they’re the wrong size or i don’t like them as is and by brain tells me to just donate them but a small(and slightly delusional) part of me wants to keep them forever until i can alter them because they might hypothetically end up being some of my favorite clothes lol.

[Craftynomadreads]

I’ve moved between countries 4 times in the last 2 years and only experienced transporting bike once. The process was rather stressful. Despite the fact that I researched packaging restrictions in advance and had written proof both from the airport and airline company of the way my bike has to be packed, check-in clerk refused to take my bike. Luckily my partner was flying a couple of weeks later and picked the bike for me. I learned that extra luggage fees and packaging sums up quickly, so now I buy new (second-hand) bike in every new place and sell it before leaving. Obviously, I don’t hold any sentimental feelings towards those bikes, but financially it’s been a good decision for me. Stay strong, moving is a real struggle ❤️

[ilanapeters]

Decluttering is hard! When I started, I found The Minimal Mom on youtube was super helpful. Best of luck with your upcoming move!

[susannabeck]

I've moved to the US from the UK and to the UK from the US several times over the last 20 years and managed to do it by taking extra bags on flights (and getting family/friends to take extra bags) not shipping anything, so really hope that works for you too! Shipping is a nighmare and only really worth it if you have furniture or huge items you can't take on the plane. It is also so hard to know what you're going to really use and wear when you're in a different climate and cultural setting e.g. when I was in the US I wore more gym clothes out and about than I would in London and needed way more summer clothes as well as heavier winter clothes. So in the end taking less and knowing I could buy the few additional items I needed secondhand worked for me. Good luck! Love your videos xx

[shannonchristie-wickham]

My husband's family is from Michigan, we go up every summer! I hope your move goes smoothly. I have been decluttering zi ce Covid. It feels good but I have 4 kiddos, pets and a husband. It is never ending

[bethanyhartzell]

Omg i just finished the Body Keeps the Score! Such a good book. It really helps understand the connection between the mind and the body—the mind is just another organ of the body. It also encourages you to have compassion for others and be trauma informed when interacting with others.