When you have the world at your feet and are aiming to keep your bag light, the take it or leave it decisions can be quite a daunting task. Cracking the code to packing is just living with as little as you can happily.
First thing's first, calculate what you think you need for finances. Okay, you’ve done that? Double it. Don’t question it just double it. It is absolutely impossible for you to foresee the kind of problems you’ll face on your journey and one of the most dangerous things you can do is be unable to accommodate. My original trip involved working as an au pair in Izmir, Turkey making money and not spending much of it. Due to political issues within the country I was led on my backpacking trip and spent more than double of what I intended to. Flexibility is the most important thing you can pack; who know's where you'll end up?
You will never be upset with yourself for saving too much for the trip but you will be if you pack too much. Calculate what you think you need for clothing. Okay, you’ve done that? Half it. Don’t question it just remove half of it. I promise you, if you don’t take it out now you’ll throw it away within the first week. You want your bag to weigh about 7kg or 15.5lbs. This allows you to hop discount airline flights while leaving yourself some wiggle room for purchases. The most common weight limit on discount airlines like RyanAir is 10kg or 22lbs. Bonus! The fewer things you bring the less your back hurts!
What I Needed: a small purse, a power adapter, ear plugs, a quality phone case, headphones, Purell, good shoes (sneakers and sandals), compact bags (for grocery shopping), compact jacket, shampoo, soap, a comb, a towel, Q-tips, deodorant, hair ties, lotion, feminine hygiene products, a sewing kit, nail clippers, lectrical/duct tape, a battery block, VPN (virtual private networks) on my phone, Chapstick, a hat, wool socks, 2 t-shirts, 2 tank tops, a long-sleeve, a sweatshirt, leggings, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, a couple undergarments, a Google voice number, cash, a travel credit card, my ID/passport, a fake wedding ring...
The fake wedding ring, along with a fake story, came in extremely handy when keeping myself safe from unwanted attention.
What I Didn’t Need: an international phone plan, my computer, makeup, perfume, heels/cute shoes, dresses, nail polish, jewelry, outfit options, a camera, a blow-dryer, a straightener, and anything else you’re probably thinking of.
If you’re not sure you need it, leave it. Gather up what you think you need a week before you go and try living out of your bag until you go. This will help you narrow down what you truly do and don't need. Though you’ll purge the weight you don’t find necessary, you will also be perfectly at ease with weight you need. For myself this was the small library of books I was carting around with me. I loved them so much that they never crossed my mind during my weekly bag purges and I even bought more.
Bare minimum is in fact a subjective term and you’ll understand it for yourself soon enough. Some bold travelers have even been known to bring only the clothes on their back and wear them until it needs to be replaced to keep their load exceptionally light.
Some backpackers and travel blogs advise only bringing clothes you love so much you never want to take them off. I prefer bringing things I don’t care all that much about. When I switched climates or ripped something, I could toss out what was no longer necessary without any heartache.
Some others might highlight the items that make American tourists stand out abroad. PSA: you’re wearing a sizeable backpack; it’s no secret you’re not a local. Bring and wear what you feel most comfortable in; they already know you’re a foreigner. I went with simple, solid colors that could be mixed and matched every which way and was very happy with my choice. I would, however, recommend spending the extra money on the things that matter most: shoes, socks, and your backpack. Those are three things you definitely don’t want falling apart on you during your journey.
For these reasons and more I wouldn’t bring your most expensive or beloved things. You don’t want to end up throwing out your expensive perfume because it’s too big to fly with or having your favorite necklace stolen at a hostel.
So bring essential things that you really like, but wouldn't hate to lose.
