Packing for a Month

Backpacking(n.): the activity of traveling while carrying your clothes and other things that you need in a backpack, usually not spending very much money and staying in places that are not expensive:

This part of the trip is always a bit tricky for me. Especially when I refuse to have anything bigger than my backpack and I have a tendency to jump around climates. For this trip, I’ll be all throughout Vietnam and spend time in Bali. This means the weather can range from 60 to 90 degrees (apologies, the US taught me fahrenheit and I’m useless at celsius). It also is technically the rainy season in Bali. So. How do I manage all of this in one backpack? Let me tell you.

Step 1) The backpack. I cannot recommend more getting a backpack you really enjoy if you’re going to travel like this. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive, or something name brand. But find a backpack you really enjoy. For me, one of my favorite qualities in my backpack is that it can open like a suitcase. As someone who is notoriously messy, having to pull everything out with a top zipper just wasn’t going to work. With a backpack that opens like a suitcase, my chaos is a little more organized. I also love secret pockets where you can stash valuables and a separate sleeve for my laptop. So whatever you choose, make sure you logistically like your luggage.

Step 2) Packing cubes. These have saved my life when it comes to being an overpacker. I recently got these packing cubes and I am very much looking forward to seeing how they hold up. Having packing cubes that have a second compressing zipper is a great option to really shrink my clothes down.

Step 3) Travel capsule wardrobe. What is this? So, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothes that can work in a bunch of different ways. I have a rule that I have to be able to get at least 2-3 outfits out of each item I bring in order to be allowed to bring it. Usually, it compiles of lots of black and white with the occasional pop of color. That way I can have a lot of different outfits but not an insane amount of items.

So once I keep these things in mind I start packing. I find the clothes, organize my toiletries, and figure out which entertainment items I want to bring with. Here are all the things I am cramming into a backpack for this next trip.

This is a LOT of stuff. I even cut back a little bit from what I wanted and I still feel like I have too much. For clothing, we narrowed it down to ten tops, seven bottoms, two coverups, three swimsuits, a dress, and three pairs of shoes. All of this packed down into three packing cubes.

I also make sure to bring toiletries of my home conditioner/shampoo, travel lotions and sanitizers, skincare, and my favorite reef-safe sunscreen; Surf Durt. I bring two travel towels that are quick drying so I can pack them easily. When I think about being alone while I travel I make sure to have things that can bring me entertainment that aren’t people. This is items like books, cameras and music. Once I have it all, I document what I’m bringing so I don’t forget anything and jam it all into my suitcase. And now I’m ready to go! I have a full grouping of items to get me through a month. I will probably end up doing laundry about halfway through my trip to freshen it all up and I can make it through the month.