The Day They Took It All - Moving to Spain from Australia

Today was the day… they took it all. This morning, Grace called to let me know that our belongings would be picked up this afternoon—everything worth keeping was being shipped off to meet us in Spain. Our flights aren’t until November, and it’s currently September, which means for the next two months, our home will be as bare as it is today.

We’re sending things off so early because shipping by sea takes about 3 to 4 months, and the last thing we wanted was to arrive and have nothing for four months. At least this way, we’re cutting that time in half. But that also means we’re now living off the bare minimum.

For us, that means no more microwave, no nice clothes, no fancy shoes, no TV, and—most heartbreakingly—no Xbox. Most of this is manageable, but what isn’t is how our house now looks and feels. It’s a bizarre mix of clutter and emptiness. Our once-cozy home now feels like a cross between a poorly stocked decor store and an antique shop, complete with dust, mess, and piles of things sorted into "sell," "donate," and "toss."

Living this way made us feel two things:

1. Disheveled: We’re officially living out of suitcases, and there’s no space to sit at a desk or even look in a proper mirror to pluck my chin hairs—let alone find a full-body mirror. For the next two months, we’re embracing the “homeless chic” look, whether we like it or not.

2. It’s Happening: This is real. We’re really moving, and leaving it all behind. Last week, the focus was on saying goodbye to people; this week, it’s about realising that over 30 years of life in Australia—the country we’ve called home—has been distilled down to a few boxes of clothes and some electronics. It’s a humbling perspective shift, a reminder that our stuff doesn’t define us; our stories, memories, and experiences do.

I’ve always admired the minimalist way of life, and our new house in Spain is meant to reflect that vibe. But I’m not sure how long we’ll stick to having only what we use and not holding onto things “just in case.” In theory, it sounds great, but in practice? Well, that’s a whole other challenge.

Now that the reality of leaving our friends, family, and everything we’ve known for the last 30+ years has set in, there’s a mix of bittersweet feelings. But what we didn’t expect was how much, once it all started to feel real, we’d want it to happen sooner. We’re still about two months away from our final day (actually 1 month and 20 days as of today), and the nerves are slowly being outshined by excitement.

Andrew and I have spent almost every night talking through our thoughts, feelings, dreams, and everything in between. We’ve been daydreaming about evenings with a glass of wine, taking in our new Spanish view after a long day of work and renovations, and making travel plans to explore places all over the world.

Holiday Mode aka how happy we imagine ourselves in Spain

For anyone not from Australia, this might not seem like a big deal, but let me tell you—coming from Down Under, flying anywhere outside of New Zealand or Bali can easily cost about $3000 for two people. That’s on the cheap side, too. So, for travel lovers like us, it’s almost impossible to do regularly unless you’re earning big bucks—and in this economy, that’s not the case for most. Moving to Spain will be a game-changer in how we live and spend our time.

I’ve wandered off topic again, so let me bring it back. The point is, we’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s happening. This isn’t just a pipe dream anymore—this is real, and we have the physical evidence to prove it. When they took away all those “prized possessions,” it wasn’t just our stuff being packed up—it was the moment it all became tangible.

Not long now… Spain, we’re coming for you!

PS I think the cats know.

Adios!

Jasmine & Andrew