Packing For a 6+ Month International Trip – What’s In My Backpack?

It’s on, world! Plane tickets have been bought. I’m now in the middle of the packing/purging process.

Not gonna lie, packing and purging can be one of the more challenging parts of the travel experience.

Even while in university, I’ve had to do a serious purge about once a year on average as I change apartments, study abroad, or take a summer expedition. While I strive to be a minimalist on the daily, stuff just… accumulates, you know?

So far I’ve taken two big garbage bags of old clothes, art supplies, and random objects to Value Village. I’ve packed up my box of sentimental items – old toys from childhood, random souvenirs, handmade gifts from family members, crumpled letters from 12 year old crushes that I kept for some reason, and keepsakes from my grandparents. I still need to find places for my giant world map, my Singer sewing machine table-turned-desk, instruments, and my globe. All in good time.

I’m thrilled to have whittled my closet down to just what I’ll be traveling with (goodbye, beloved velvet overalls). So for now, here’s my packing list. Let me know if I’m missing something vital. As of now, it all fits in the 32 liter Homebase Tortuga Backpack. I may upgrade to a slightly larger size, as the Homebase is not even considered a full-size carry-on backpack and is “perfect for trips less than a week.” I’m staring down 6 months or so… but hey, if it fits!

Clothing

• 1 pair long pants
• 1 pair shorts
• 5 shirts
• 2 skirts
• All-purpose dress
• Socks/underwear
• Swimsuit
• Wrap for covering shoulders in temples
• PJs
• Raincoat (lightweight)
• Hair scrunchies
• Boots and packable sandals

Note:

The trick to this is to make sure that all of your shirts work with each skirt/pant option so that no matter what you put on, you look coordinated. My stuff isn’t all within one color scheme, but each piece does compliment the next. It may not look like much, but I have 21 outfit options up there.

The skirts are past knee-length, so I can easily be cool and modest in conservative countries that frown on shorts but are too hot for jeans.

Health & Safety

• Whistle
• First Aid kit
• Doorstopper
• Prescription meds
• Toothbrush / toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Emergency toilet paper (for real)
• Compact razor
• Comb
• Tampons (sorry, can’t get with the Diva cup to save my life)
• Padlocks & security cable
• Underclothes money/passport pocket
• Headlamp

Electronics

• Stuff I need for work + cords
• Small camera & tiny tripod
• Backup drive
• Headphones
• Portable charger
• Universal port

Makeup

• Eyeliner
• Eyeshadow palette
• Lipstick (1)
• (yes really. I’m not bringing highlighter, foundation, primer, eyebrow pencils, lip pencils, glosses, concealer, brushes, cleaner, makeup remover, etc. The amount that goes into a full makeup kit is insane – forget it!)

Documentation

• Passport, health card, driver’s license, student ID
• Document copies (cards, birth certificate, travel insurance, passport, etc)
• Bank cards (1 debit, 2 credit – may update)

Misc.

• Journal
• Book (Vagabonding)
• 2 pens
• Pack sacks & small day bag (doubles as laundry/grocery bag)
• Sunglasses
• Cheap foam earplugs
• Light-weight travel towel
• Water bottle

What I’m NOT Bringing

• I’m NOT packing extra beauty products – hair dryers, curling irons, perfume, makeup, tights… heck, I’m not even bringing a full hairbrush. I don’t find I need all the extras, and I especially don’t like carrying them.
• Sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, hair dye stuff. All of these can be bought on the ground in my destinations, and I don’t plan on dyeing my hair for a while.
• A sleeping bag, airplane pillow, or sleeping mask. Probably won’t need them.
• Winter clothing – shops exist around the world. When it gets cold, I’ll wander into the Portugese version of a Goodwill and gear up.

I’m in one big debate – to bring my fiddle or not. I know – *gasp*. But I’ve been so burned out, I haven’t played in a couple of months and now I’m checking out budget airlines that restrict travelers to one carry-on. What would you do?

Am I forgetting anything? Is there something you never travel without? Let me know!