Chapter 1 — Japan

Field Notes

Everything from the road — visa struggles, apartment hunting, language breakthroughs, and life in Japan.

Packing Up for Japan: The Purge Begins!

Packing Up for Japan: The Purge Begins!

Moving across the world is no small feat. As we gear up for our big move to Japan, we've realized that the secret to a successful international relocation isn't just about what you take — it's about what you leave behind.

We are officially in full-swing "Purge, Pack, and Donate" mode!

It is easy to hold onto things "just in case," but when you are preparing for a massive life change like moving to another country, you quickly realize how much unnecessary clutter has accumulated over the years. We've decided that our new chapter in Japan deserves a fresh start, which means only our absolute essentials are making the cut.

As you can see, our living room has become a staging ground for this massive transition. Boxes are stacked, vacuum-seal bags are packed tight, and the process of deciding what stays and what goes is well underway. It is bittersweet to let go of so many things, but it feels incredibly liberating to lighten our load.

We're spending our weekends sorting through every drawer and closet. If we haven't used it in the last year, it's going into the donation pile. Not only does this make the actual packing much easier, but it also feels great knowing our items will find a second life with someone else who truly needs them.

Wish us luck as we continue to shrink our footprint and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Have you ever done a major "purge" before a move? Any tips for deciding what is truly worth keeping? Let us know in the comments!