How I’m Preparing My Heart + Mind to Move Abroad
Moving abroad isn’t just a logistical challenge, it’s an emotional one. There are bags to pack, documents to chase, and checklists to complete, but there’s also the quiet work of preparing yourself for change. For me, that means tending to the layers of who I am: a trauma survivor, a neurodivergent woman in her mid-30s, a caregiver learning how to let go and trust others. Preparing my heart and mind has been just as important as preparing my luggage.
The Reality Behind the Checklists
On paper, moving abroad looks like paperwork, logistics, and deadlines. In reality, it feels like carrying two timelines at once: the visible one of passports and apostilles, and the invisible one of emotions, grief, and hope.
I’m excited about the adventure ahead, but I’m also deeply aware of what I’m leaving behind. My mom, who I’ve cared for in countless ways. My kitties, who curl up beside me and remind me to rest. My friends, who have been my chosen family. My garden, where I’ve grown food, flowers, and a sense of rootedness. Even my car, which has carried me through the errands, escapes, and daily rhythms of life here in Florida.
Letting go of these anchors isn’t easy. It feels like saying goodbye to little pieces of myself. But part of preparing for this move has been allowing myself to grieve those losses while still trusting the possibilities ahead.
The Practices That Keep Me Steady
When life feels overwhelming, I come back to grounding practices that remind me I’m more than my stress. Here are the tools I’m leaning on most right now:
Yoga: Moving my body keeps me connected to myself when my mind is racing.
Journaling: Emptying my thoughts onto the page helps me sort through fear, doubt, and gratitude.
Content Creation: Writing, filming, and documenting this journey transforms stress into story.
Lists & Systems: Checklists and planners keep my ADHD brain focused when the “what ifs” get loud.
These practices don’t erase the fear or grief; but they help me move with it, instead of being paralyzed by it.
The Tension Between Fear and Hope
If I’m honest, I’m scared. Scared of what I don’t know yet. Scared of not having the same safety nets I’ve always relied on. Scared of feeling homesick in a place that doesn’t know me yet.
But alongside the fear is something bigger: hope. Hope that this move will stretch me. Hope that I’ll find belonging in new communities. Hope that I’ll deepen my understanding of food, culture, and myself. Hope that stepping into this new chapter will bring healing I can’t yet imagine.
I’m not moving because I have everything figured out. I’m moving because I’m ready to grow.
A Closing Reflection
Preparing my heart and mind to move abroad has been about letting myself feel the full range of emotions…grief, excitement, anxiety, joy… and still choosing forward motion.
This isn’t about perfection or certainty. It’s about trusting myself enough to carry my roots with me while planting new ones in San Sebastián.
Now I want to hear from you:
What healing practices do you lean on during big life transitions?
What’s one belief or mindset shift that’s helped you keep moving forward when things felt uncertain?
Share in the comments, or send me a note through my Contact page. I’d love to hear your stories.
