Let me start with a confession: I knew I was coming back for a second year in Spain… and I still messed this up.
At the end of my first year, I did what felt logical at the time. I put about 85 percent of my life into storage and gave away the rest. Minimalism! Fresh start! Very main-character energy. Except now that I’m actually in my second year, I’ve realized something important.
I gave away the wrong stuff.
As I settled back in, I kept running into the same annoying realization: wait… I used to own this. Kitchen utensils. Extra blankets. Pillows. Little household things that don’t feel important until you don’t have them. And because those items were already sold or donated, I ended up having to rebuy everything. Again. And again. And suddenly that “fresh start” started looking very expensive.
Don’t get me wrong, I fully support a deep clean at the end of your first year. Honestly, I recommend it. Declutter your clothes. Donate what you didn’t wear. Let go of the random things you collected but don’t love. You should absolutely reset. But there’s a difference between decluttering and completely starting from zero.
Things like:
- Kitchen utensils
- Pots and pans
- Blankets and pillows
- Storage bins
- Basic household items
- Hangers
These are not things you want to keep rebuying every year. It adds up quickly, and it’s money you could be using for travel, experiences, or, honestly, just peace of mind.
If you know you’re doing a second year, my advice is simple: put 99% of your stuff in storage. Think of it as an investment. Yes, storage costs money upfront, but when you start your second year and don’t have to spend hundreds replacing basics, it suddenly makes sense.
Another option is to split a storage unit with other people, which makes it significantly cheaper. Most of us honestly don’t have that much stuff, so you rarely need a large unit anyway. Sharing a space can cut costs without sacrificing convenience.
I recommend reaching out in Facebook groups or your local WhatsApp groups to find others who are in the same situation and willing to split a storage unit. It’s an easy way to save money, make use of space more efficiently, and avoid paying for more storage than you actually need.
This also applies if you’re switching regions. Spain is incredibly well-connected. You don’t have to store everything exactly where you are. If you’re in Alicante one year and heading to Oviedo the next, consider storing your belongings somewhere central, like Madrid. That way, your things are accessible without being tied to one location.
Is it a bit of a hassle? Absolutely. Is it easier said than done? Also yes.
But I promise you, future you will thank you when you move into your new place and realize you already have everything you need. No frantic IKEA runs. No unnecessary splurging. Just unpacking and getting on with your life.
If there’s one lesson I learned the hard way this year, it’s this: be smart with your stuff. Declutter thoughtfully, store intentionally, and plan like the version of you who already knows they’re coming back.
Because starting over is cute. But not when you’re paying for it twice.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
