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Dear Clever Expat,

Our possessions can define us. Many people, myself included, have things around us to provide a sense of security, of history, and of continuity with our personal experiences. However, there are times when our possessions anchor us, too, by being things that are too special to discard.

As Clever Expats, this anchoring sensation may halt us in our goal to move abroad. It’s an obstacle to living your expat dream. Your things–the things you have accumulated, the things you have inherited, the things you have created–may have the power to derail your adventures abroad.

Others may perceive their possessions as part of their identity. I am close to someone who has memory challenges, and discarding something also means potentially discarding the memories of the person or event associated with that thing. There’s no quick fix for that kind of loss, but there are some strategies that will make those things much less difficult to keep. I’ll explain that down below.

In short, our things carry “emotional weight” for us, and may be very hard to part with. In this post, let’s talk about two things: the emotional weight of clutter and what it costs you to keep too many things.

The Emotional Weight of Clutter

As an organism, humans like to build nests of our possessions. One viewing of popular hoarding or decluttering programs can illustrate just how embedded those desires to have possessions can go.

Our possessions often carry more than just physical value—they hold memories, stories, and emotions. That old concert ticket or the sweater you wore on a memorable day can become a symbol of a time or a person you cherish.

When these items start to accumulate, possessions can become an emotional burden or anchor, weighing us down with the compulsion to preserve every single memory. You may even keep certain things to remind of you the person you don’t want to be, acting as a visible reminder of personal improvements.

If you’re a child of the 60s, 70s, or 80s in the US like me, then you probably remember the Precious Moments figurines that were gifted at weddings, baby showers, and anniversaries. Think about that for a minute: this precious moment is a possession, not something you keep in your memory. Keepsakes is another word that goes along with this concept: Keeping something for the sake of remembering the reason for having it.

The struggle to let go isn’t just about parting with objects; it’s about confronting our own feelings of loss and nostalgia. We may worry that discarding an item is actually erasing a piece of our personal history. This type of emotional attachment can lead to a behavior pattern where we keep accumulating these things without ever discarding things.

Unfortunately, the sense of overwhelm with your possessions can make it difficult to embrace new chapters in our lives. The clutter, then, isn’t just physical—it becomes a repository memories, for unresolved feelings of closure, and a barrier to personal growth.

Once we understand the emotional ties that bind us to our belongings, we can start to see clutter in a new light.

Personally, I have a set of yearbooks from elementary and high school that I can’t bear to part with. It’s not the yearbooks; it’s the sentiments that are hand-written on the pages that remind me of good friends, happy moments, and new experiences.

You may your own “yearbooks” that you just can’t–or don’t want to–give up. Recognizing that these items represent memories, rather than necessities, empowers us to choose which memories we want to honor in a tangible way. This awareness can transform the process of decluttering into a journey of self-discovery and healing, ultimately lightening our emotional load and creating space for new, meaningful experiences.

The Hidden Costs of Keeping Too Much

Beyond the visible mess, keeping an excess of possessions can have significant hidden costs. Financially, every extra item requires space, maintenance, and may contribute to a cycle of consumption that drains resources. Time maintaining and cleaning, rearranging, storing, or repairing is time that you may spend in other ways.

Caring for things can be a burden. The cost of storing unused items or the missed opportunities spent caring for your “collection” can cost us experiences. Those experiences could enrich our lives, but we are often unable to see beyond the things we own.

The true price of clutter goes far beyond what meets the eye.

Have you ever considered the mental toll of your possessions. A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. “A chronically cluttered home environment can lead to a constant low-grade fight or flight response, taxing our resources designed for survival,” according to the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP – reference here and here). For many people, the overwhelming feeling of constant presence of so many physical reminders creates ongoing stress and anxiety.

This mental overload not only reduces our overall productivity but can also detract from our ability to focus on what truly matters. In the end, the items we hold onto for convenience or sentiment may end up costing us far more in lost time and potentially in emotional well-being.

By acknowledging that every item has a cost—be it financial, emotional, or mental—we can begin to make more intentional decisions about what truly adds value to our lives. By eliminating excess possessions, you may be able to embrace a simpler and healthier approach to possessions. Being intentional about what we keep can free us from hidden emotional costs.

Three Practical Decluttering Strategies

When preparing for an international move, minimizing your belongings can be as much about shifting your mindset as it is about clearing out physical items. Here are several strategies that I have used in the past that allowed me to embrace my expat adventure:

• Make digital your friend. Take pictures, not objects. Scan documents and discard the paper (but keep the important legal papers with you!). I had a research library, and I decided to buy a high-speed scanner. I took my books to a print shop who cut the spines off the books, and then I scanned the books so now I have a digital copy that I can use.
• Container-ize. When you are emotionally ready, choose a container that you designate as your possessions for a particular area of your home. For example, choose a container for books that will force you to eliminate volumes that you may not need or want. You can do the same for kitchen gadgets, bathroom items, or tool bins.
• Strategize replacements. If you are going to a country that has a shopping culture, figure out what can be purchased locally to support your new life abroad. You may find that the perfect blender of your dreams exists in your new home. And your US blender wouldn’t work there anyway!

Want to learn more about this topic? Register for the Plan, Pack, and Minimize for Moving Abroad Online Workshop!

Keep exploring!

The Clever Expat