This is a practical, emotional, and slightly nosy look at what you’ll need and want abroad.

Last week, I told you that I Sold Everything to Move Abroad. You can read that article here.

This week, I'm continuing the discussion by sharing what's really worth taking with you when you move abroad, or better yet, let’s talk about what you’re really bringing with you.

No, not your passport. Not your phone charger.
I mean the stuff that matters:

The material comforts, personal rituals, and everyday experiences that help you feel like yourself.

Moving abroad isn’t just about selling your couch and buying packing cubes.

It’s about deciding what truly makes life feel meaningful, beautiful, and bearable when you’re far from everything familiar.

So let’s get honest:

What specific material items or experiences are you not willing to give up in your new life abroad?

The Minimalist Myth (and Why It Doesn’t Work for Everyone)

There’s this unspoken rule in nomad and expat circles that “less is more.”

That if you really want freedom, you should be fine living out of a backpack and sleeping in eco-hostels.

And for some people, that’s true.

But if you’re someone who feels better with good lighting, a proper kitchen setup, and a skincare routine that didn’t come from the hotel’s front desk, welcome. You’re not alone.

☑︎ You can love minimalism without needing to erase what brings you joy.
☑︎ You’re not “bad at travel” if you want certain comforts or familiar tools.

My Real-Life Shift: From Big House to Right-Sized Living

Let me give you a snapshot of what my old life looked like:
☑︎ Four-bedroom, three-bath house
☑︎ Three-car garage
☑︎ A Mercedes-Benz C42 convertible
☑︎ TVs in nearly every room
☑︎ A guest room that got used once a year—maybe!
☑︎ A pool, a pool guy, a landscaper, a housekeeper, and a handyman on standby
☑︎ Two small dogs, one full-size vacuum, and way too many throw pillows

I don’t regret having any of that. But here’s what I realized: Most of it didn’t make my life better, it just made it fuller. And heavier.

Now?

I live in a thoughtfully designed one-bedroom apartment. It’s small, modern, in a walkable neighborhood, and packed with community luxuries I use like a pool, gym, co-working space, and security.

What I gave up in square footage, I gained in clarity.

And that clarity made me realize something very simple:

You don’t need everything. But you do need the right things.

So, What’s “Right” for You?

Let’s make this personal.

What items or experiences, if taken away, would genuinely disrupt your sense of peace, identity, or joy?

Here are some prompts to guide you:
☑︎ Do you need your hair products and tools from home?
☑︎ Is a reliable espresso machine non-negotiable?
☑︎ Do you need to live near live music, museums, or nature?
☑︎ Do you want a full kitchen, or are street food nights more your style?
☑︎ Are you someone who needs silence or stimulation?

There are no wrong answers. But if you don’t ask the questions, you might end up missing things you didn’t realize you depended on.

Make a Joy List (Before You Sell It All)

I recommend making two lists before you move abroad:

The Joy List

These are items or rituals that feed your soul. Not just essentials, but emotional essentials.

Think: a favorite teacup, that soft throw blanket, or Sunday morning playlists. Maybe it’s your watercolor set or your essential oils.

The Daily List

This one’s all about function.

What are the things you use every single day without fail, whether you think about them or not? That might be:
☑︎ A specific type of pillow
☑︎ A water filter
☑︎ A laptop stand
☑︎ A ring light
☑︎ A second monitor
☑︎ Compression socks (if you know, you know)

These lists are permission slips. You don’t have to pack light just to impress some travel blog. You have to pack smart for your life.

Experiences Matter Just as Much as Things

The flip side of this conversation is about your lifestyle abroad

You’re not just moving to a new country, you’re moving into a new daily rhythm.

Ask yourself:
☑︎ What experiences do I want on repeat?
☑︎ What do I want to have access to easily, not just occasionally?

For example:
☑︎ Do you want daily walks by the ocean or morning hikes?
☑︎ Do you want to live somewhere with a local farmer’s market?
☑︎ Do you need access to coworking spaces or expat communities?
☑︎ Do you want regular spa visits or a street food scene that never gets old?

If you love brunch, don’t move somewhere where eggs are $10. If you crave solitude, don’t plant yourself in a party town.

You’re designing a life, not just booking a trip.

Tradeoffs Are Real. So Is Regret. Plan Accordingly.

You won’t get everything exactly how you want it. That’s true anywhere in the world.

But the more honest you are now, the fewer surprises you’ll face later.

And here’s a little tip I’ve learned the hard way: If you’re not sure you’ll be okay without something, bring it for now.

You can always offload or donate it later. But replacing it abroad? That might cost more money, stress, or time than it’s worth.

Build a Life That Feels Like Home

Moving abroad is a chance to let go of excess, but it’s also a chance to reclaim what truly matters.

Your new life shouldn’t feel like punishment. It should feel like alignment.

So ask yourself:

☑︎ What brings me comfort?
☑︎ What brings me joy?
☑︎ What experiences make me feel alive and grounded?

Then, build your life around those answers, not around someone else’s version of “freedom.”

➤ Want help preparing for your move without losing your mind (or your favorite hair products)?

Grab The Escape Plan, my move-abroad roadmap that walks you through every practical and emotional step of getting ready to go.

➤ Want help selling your things and funding your move?
I created two resources to help with just that:

The Organize & Sell Strategic Planner and Templates, a full system to streamline your process, build anticipation, and get attendees chomping at the bit to claim your best items. I’m talking “line up at your door early” level hype. It's a digital guide that walks you through:
☑︎ Sorting and pricing your belongings
☑︎ Creating listings that attract competing buyers
☑︎ Organizing your sales and setup
☑︎ Promoting like a pro (email, video, visuals, all of it)

You don’t need permission to create a life that feels like yours. But if you need help, I’m right here.

Wishing you an overabundance of financial, location, and time freedom
(as defined by you.)
Marcia Hylton, aka Marcia Unbound
Move-Abroad Advisor

P.S. Curious about why I made such a big move? I recently shared more of my story in a feature with Business Insider. It’s raw, real, and all about what led me to sell it all and start over abroad. You can read it here.