Moving to another country is a lot. New language, new systems, new routines. At some point, you just want things to work.
And then there are the boxes.
Many expats I work with tell me the same story. There was no time or energy to go through everything before the move. So everything went into the container. Or almost everything.
Now you’re here. Settled, at least on paper. But your space feels tight. Maybe smaller than what you had before. Maybe harder to manage. And suddenly all those things you brought with you are not helping. They’re just there.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not the only one. It happens more often than people think.
A new phase in a new country comes with a lot of decisions already. Your home should not be another source of pressure. It should support your daily life.
This is usually the moment when things begin to change.
You start to see that the question isn’t where to store everything, but what actually makes sense to keep.
A few simple shifts that help
Start with one area that affects your daily routine. Not the emotional boxes. Not the “I’ll deal with it later” category. Choose something practical. Your kitchen. Your entrance. Your wardrobe.
Pay attention to what you actually use in Germany. Seasons are different. Routines are different. Your lifestyle might already have changed more than you realize.
Let go of duplicates. Many people bring things “just in case” and then buy again once they arrive. That’s how homes quietly get crowded.
Create visible, easy systems. If something is hard to put back, it will not be put back. It’s as simple as that.
Give yourself permission to rethink your belongings. What made sense in your home country doesn’t always make sense here.
There’s also the emotional side
Starting over in another country is not only practical. It’s emotional. There’s insecurity, sometimes loneliness, sometimes pressure to adapt quickly.
And there’s language.
I know how it feels. I used to write down what I wanted to say in German before making a phone call. Word by word. It took time to feel comfortable.
I do believe that learning German is part of the experience. It opens doors. It connects you to the culture.
At the same time, being able to speak in your own language can make things easier, especially when you are dealing with your home, your routines, your personal space.
That’s where I come in.
If you feel like you have too many things, don’t know where to start, and want to take the next step, you can write to me.
I work with expats and families here in Germany. Besides German, I speak English, French, Portuguese and some Spanish.
We will understand each other. That’s not the problem.
The real question is:
Does your home support you right now?
If not, we can change that.
Im Sommer übersehen wir unser Chaos leicht – draußen ist es einfach schöner. Doch genau jetzt ist der beste Moment zum Ausmisten: Du hast mehr Energie, und Ordnung entsteht nicht über Nacht. Wer im Herbst und Winter aufgeräumt leben will, fängt am besten schon im Sommer an.
Weisst du eigentlich genau, was sich hinter dem Konzept der Wegwerfschachtel verbirgt? Und was hast du eigentlich davon, Dinge in dieser zu bewahren, damit im Fall der Fälle andere diese Schachtel „ungesehen“ entsorgen?
Beim Geben kommt die Freude und Dankbarkeit stets zu dir zurück. Du schaffst Raum und mentale Entlastung und machst gleichzeitig andere und dich selbst glücklich. Probier es aus!
Expat in Germany and overwhelmed with clutter? Learn how to organize your home after a move, reduce excess belongings and create a functional space. Practical tips for expats who want more clarity in their new home.
Bitte bestätige, dass du dieses Mitglied sperren möchtest.
Du wirst nicht mehr in der Lage sein:
Bitte beachte: Mit dieser Aktion wird dieses Mitglied auch aus deinen Verbindungen entfernt und ein Bericht an den Website-Administrator gesendet. Bitte lass dir ein paar Minuten Zeit, bis dieser Vorgang abgeschlossen ist.