After going through multiple international moves—some alone, some with my little family—I’ve learned to live simply. I’ve become more minimalist: rotating through a small collection of clothes, buying only what brings true value, cooking from scratch, and crafting when I can. I’ve learned to live with what I have, not what’s trending.

But no matter how prepared or practical I try to be, there are five things I always wish I could bring with me—things that don’t always fit in a suitcase but make a place feel like home.

1. Condiments and Food Ingredients

Food is my love language. And it’s always been the fastest way to treat homesickness.

As an Indonesian married to a Mexican, our kitchen is a flavorful mix of sambal, tortillas, salsas, and coconut milk dishes. But some of those beloved flavors rely on fresh herbs or hard-to-find ingredients that can’t easily cross borders—especially if they’re liquid, perishable, or seed-based.

Every time we move, we start from scratch—recreating flavors, improvising recipes, or hunting down specialty stores that might carry what we need. But oh, how I wish I could just pack a pantry.

2. Photo Albums and Frames

We left our photo albums in Mexico and Indonesia, and while we do carry digital backups, something about flipping through pages or seeing a photo framed on the wall hits differently.

Albums are bulky. Frames are fragile. And when you’re renting abroad, you can’t always put holes in the wall or add personal touches to your space.

I miss the comfort of seeing our memories on display—not just in my phone gallery, but around our home.

3. Craft Supplies

Crafting has always been my personal escape—a grounding ritual when life feels overwhelming.

In Mexico, I had access to affordable craft paper sold by weight, and I had a lovely little collection of yarn, knitting needles, and decorative bits I’d built up over time. I gave most of it away when we left.

In Indonesia, I kept it simpler with mandala coloring books and markers… which also had to be left behind. It’s hard to recreate that little sanctuary of creativity when you’re starting over each time.

4. Toys and Plushies

This one hits closest to the heart.

When we moved to Spain, we told our daughter she could bring just two of her plushies. She chose carefully, but even now, she still talks about the ones we left behind—her pony plush from Indonesia, her toy sets from Mexico.

As adults, we try to move on and “make do.” But kids remember. And I carry a little ache every time she says she misses them.

5. Books

Books are heavy, but their emotional weight is even heavier when you leave them behind.

We brought a few favorites in our suitcases, but most had to stay. And sometimes I miss rereading an old novel that comforted me during hard times. My daughter, too, occasionally asks for her old picture books—the ones we used to read before bed.

There’s something sacred about a well-loved book, especially one filled with memories and routines.

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These aren’t your typical packing list items, but they’re the things I miss the most. They represent comfort, identity, and connection—things that don’t take up much space, but somehow hold the most weight.

International moving teaches you to let go, yes. But it also teaches you what truly matters. And sometimes, what you really wish you’d packed can’t be folded or bubble-wrapped.

But you carry them anyway—in memory, in routines, and in the stories you tell your child at night.