I moved from a five-bedroom house on half an acre in Texas to a two-bedroom furnished apartment in Portugal. That's an 80 percent downsize! The hardest part was standing in my house, looking at decades of stuff, and not knowing where to start.

Vivian Najib has done this three times. She's a professional organizer who's moved from New York to Italy, Southeast Asia, and now Portugal. In this conversation, she walks us through her Bucket System. Her framework takes the stress out of downsizing by giving every item a next destination instead of asking "keep or toss."

We cover her buckets, learn why "I love it" is not a destination, and find out how and why to set limits before you start sorting. If your stuff is the thing standing between you and your move, this is the episode.

Work with Vivian: ftbhomeorganizing.com/moveabroad

Join the We're Moving to Europe Community (free): skool.com/were-moving-to-europe

00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Moving Abroad
02:21 Personal Experiences with Moving and Downsizing
06:06 Understanding the Emotional Impact of Letting Go
09:24 The Bucket System for Organizing Belongings
13:15 Logistical Challenges of Moving: Fly, Ship, Store
16:50 Financial Considerations in Shipping and Storage
23:28 Setting the Foundation for Downsizing
24:13 Getting the Boat in Motion
26:09 The Simon Cowell Sweep
28:20 Making Thoughtful Decisions
32:51 Clarifying Your New Life
33:59 Approaching a Quick Move
35:49 The Not on My New Album Filter
38:44 Bringing Meaningful Items
42:10 Embracing the Adventure of Downsizing
44:14 Introduction to Moving to Europe
44:16 Practical Steps for Relocation

Music and production by @Sage Barton

https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe

Larry's website: https://larrycornett.coach/

Want to move to Europe but don’t have a job yet?

In this episode, career coach Larry Cornett (ex-Apple, eBay, Yahoo) chats with Casey Kelly about how Americans can start landing European clients before they move.

We cover how to build a global network, where to find hidden opportunities (even outside tech), and the biggest mistakes Americans make with European employers.

If you’re serious about relocating, don’t miss this.

0:00 Moving from the US to Europe: where to start

0:19 Meet Larry Cornett (ex-Apple, eBay, Yahoo)

1:01 From PhD to Silicon Valley career

3:13 Why he left corporate for consulting

4:06 Is freelancing more stable than a job?

5:08 How to start as a consultant

6:00 Getting international clients as a beginner

6:50 Why relationships and referrals matter globally

8:09 Building a worldwide network

10:19 Finding opportunities beyond “tech companies”

12:04 How to research companies hiring in Europe

13:13 Best industries to explore right now

13:32 Do you need a master’s degree in Europe?

16:08 How education value differs by country

17:06 Using study as a pathway to relocate

19:33 Key strategies to grow your network and career

20:10 Building credibility and standing out online

21:42 Why you should share your work publicly

22:29 Using speaking and content to attract clients

23:33 Introverts vs visibility: what works

25:22 Final advice for moving to Europe

25:33 Cultural differences Americans must understand

27:56 Where to find Larry online

Production team

Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.

Medication background music - The Orienvibes (https://pixabay.com/users/43208736/)

Extra visuals curated via Canva

www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe
Abigail (Abbie) Somma
Gratitude Buddies

What does it really take to build a fulfilling life in a new country?

In this episode, Casey Kelly speaks with Abigail Somma, who has lived and worked across several countries. They explore how mindfulness, gratitude, and strong community connections can help people navigate the emotional and practical challenges of relocating abroad.

Abigail shares her personal journey of creating Gratitude Buddies, a community built around skill-sharing, meaningful connections, and mindful networking. Together, they discuss managing expectations when settling into a new place, coping with the emotional ups and downs of international life, and finding practical ways to build resilience and belonging.

This conversation offers thoughtful insights for anyone moving abroad, adapting to life overseas, or looking to build deeper connections in a new environment.

00:00 Rethinking the Meaning of Home
00:22 Podcast Introduction – Moving from the US to Europe
00:52 Meet Abigail Somma – Living in Spain, Italy, and Austria
01:48 Abigail’s Journey Living Abroad
03:10 From International Relations to Mindfulness and Community
04:22 The Origins of Gratitude Buddies
05:02 Why Gratitude and Community Matter After a Move
06:09 Belonging, Mindfulness, and Building Connection
07:30 Finding Community Through Shared Values
08:09 Managing Expectations When Moving Abroad
09:50 Culture Shock and Everyday Challenges in a New Country
11:29 Emotional Resilience – Humor, Crying, and Self-Compassion
13:33 Resources for Americans Planning a Move to Europe
14:57 The Hidden Mental Load of Living in Another Language
16:12 Beginner’s Mind – Staying Open to New Experiences
19:20 Guided Gratitude Meditation with Abigail Somma
23:44 Resetting Your Mindset with Mindfulness
25:00 Practical Advice for Building Community Abroad
26:07 Accepting Mixed Emotions When Moving Countries
27:02 Redefining Home and Cultivating Belonging
27:48 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Buddies Community
28:28 Outro – Thanks for Listening

Production team

Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.
Medication background music - The Orienvibes (https://pixabay.com/users/43208736/)

Extra visuals
Meditation visual - Nathan Cowley, Pexel
Images on title slides - Photos by Pierre Blaché and Alejandra Cifre González on Unsplash