How To Emotionally and Physically Prepare For Moving Countries

 

In this solo episode, Clare once again takes a look at a practical aspect of moving abroad, which an awful lot of people fail to pay enough attention to. She explains why what you take with you and how you get it there is very important. 

 

We all have things that we would struggle to live without. For some it is a treasured possession that has great sentimental value and for others it is a person or pet. Still, others have activities and hobbies that make a huge difference when it comes to physical, emotional or mental wellbeing. Clare has moved abroad multiple times, so the advice and strategies she provides to tackle the task of packing and leaving some things behind really do work.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• We all have things we would struggle to live without. Finding a way to take them with you or leave them behind on your terms can play a big role in how well you settle in a new country.
• If an item is particularly precious to you, pack it in a way that ensures it won´t be broken and can easily be accessed upon your arrival.
• If you want to continue to pursue a hobby or activity while you are living abroad, work out how you are going to do that before you actually move.
• Sometimes continuing to pursue your interests won´t be possible. In that case, consider what you might be able to do instead.
• Before you start to pack, prepare yourself emotionally. Organising everything and physically packing will have an impact on you.
• Getting started can be tough, Clare explains how to overcome this hesitancy.
• Start in one room, go through each item and ask yourself do I want to take this item? Do I need to take this item? And make two lists.
• Leaving someone who is very precious to you is hard. Clare shares several things you can do to make it more bearable.

BEST MOMENTS

“What is the one thing that you absolutely do not want to be without? Reflect on that and have that as your starting point.”

“If a hobby is not realistic, consider what you could do in its place that would bring about the same happy vibes.”

“Unprocessed emotions will follow us anywhere.”

“Surrender to expertise.”

“I wasn't needing the things. I needed that emotional journey of having the time to revisit and evoke memories.”

ABOUT THE HOST

Clare Kay is a seasoned global mover – with an international career in sales, customer service, personal development, and as a flight attendant. She has sold books and TV programs globally, taught English as a foreign language, and supported non-native speakers through proofreading. Her own global moves – from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA – bring direct experience, and her global outlook has given her the growth and connections to support others in creating a life abroad. Through her podcast Moving Countries 101, Clare inspires listeners with the confidence and courage to make their own move – and continues the cultural conversation in her Facebook Group.

Join the conversation by clicking this link - Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay

It’s a space for global movers – people choosing to build lives abroad – to prepare emotionally, culturally, and practically, and to turn cultural differences into connections.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingcountries101withclarekay/

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www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

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