When you decide to move abroad, you know the day will come when you have to say goodbye. But no matter how much you prepare for the moment, the actual farewell to family and friends remains one of the most emotionally challenging parts of the journey. This is exactly what we experienced – and we did our best to make the most of it.

 

A Small Farewell Party

In addition to all the other tasks—renovating our camper, van, handling bureaucratic formalities, and tackling countless preparations—we also had to plan our farewell party. Luckily, neither we nor our circle of friends are fans of extravagant, glamorous events. All we wanted was for everyone to be there, happy and healthy, so we could enjoy time together.

The perfect venue? Our parents’ garden. It was the ideal spot for a relaxed and intimate gathering, and it turned out to be our last big celebration with family and friends before taking the plunge. Three weeks later, we handed over the keys to our home, and shortly afterward, we were on our way to Croatia“ for us.

A Joyful Celebration

The farewell party was everything we had hoped for: joyful, laid-back, and full of laughter. The summer weather was perfect, the food and drinks were delicious, and the conversations flowed effortlessly. Nobody was focused on the fact that this would be our last get-together.

 

Even our dog Bailey joined in—although she wasn’t too thrilled about the heat. With her thick undercoat, she quickly found a shady spot on the cool ground.

As with any party, time flew by, and eventually, the moment of farewell arrived. Some guests we would see again before our departure; others, unfortunately, we wouldn’t. By the end of the day, only our parents remained. Since they were the last people we would see before leaving, we didn’t have to say goodbye to them just yet.

Saying Goodbye: A Tough Challenge

Let’s be honest: We’re not good at goodbyes. Saying goodbye always comes with a bitter aftertaste because it means leaving something behind—not just things, but people and memories that are deeply meaningful. However, farewells are a natural part of life. They represent not only the end of familiar routines but also opportunities for personal growth and new beginnings.

 

Are There Beautiful Goodbyes?

As difficult as farewells can be, there are indeed such things as beautiful goodbyes. One surprising source of joy for us was decluttering and making trips to the recycling center. It felt incredibly liberating to get rid of all the unnecessary junk we’d accumulated over the years. If you want to experience a truly satisfying farewell, grab the stuff you don’t need from your basement and take it to the recycling center. You’ll feel lighter—trust us!

Another positive farewell was selling our house. Thanks to strong demand, we were able to carefully choose the buyer. On top of that, selling the house relieved us of a significant financial burden. While a home is filled with memories, security, and comfort, it’s important to remember that “home” is not tied to a specific physical location. You can create a new home anywhere—it just takes effort and time to make it your own.

 

Conclusion: Letting Go and Starting Fresh

Saying goodbye always means change – it is an end, but at the same time a new beginning. We admit that we often find it difficult to let go. It takes time to get used to new circumstances and develop trust in a new environment. But this is precisely the appeal of a new beginning: the opportunity to grow, discover new things and develop further.

That was just a small insight into our adventure. If you would like to find out more about our journey, take a look at our article on deregistration in Germany. We would be delighted if you would continue to accompany us – there is still so much to discover!

How about you? Are you someone who easily lets go, or do you struggle with saying goodbye, just like we do?