Think you can’t pack for 20 days in a carry-on? Blaming it on the season (sweaters take a lot of room)? Think again. I just finished my packing trial for a 20 day autumn European adventure, and it was a success! If you don’t know me very well, you probably think I’m ridiculous. If you do know me, you have probably just come to accept it. I pack as light as I can, and I make sure I can fit everything into my regular backpack a few days before my trip just to ensure everything actually fits. And it did! The picture shows (1) my backpack containing clothes + toiletries, (2) my camera bag with my DSLR + iPad + electronics + money + ID, (3) comfy clothes and shoes to wear on the plane.

Here is my packing list. When the trip is over, I’ll let you know if I forgot anything or if there was something I wish I didn’t pack.

Clothes (Including travel day clothes):

• 3 Short sleeve shirts
• 3 3/4 length shirts
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• 1 dressy shirt
• 1 sweater
• 1 jacket
• 1 lightweight scarf
• 2 pairs jeans
• 7 undies
• 2 bras
• 7 socks
• 1 pair shoe good for walking/light hiking
• 1 pair shoe dressier but good for walking
• 1 pair flip flops for hostel showers

Toiletries (Remember you can always buy extra on the trip!)

• Travel size contact solution (i’m cheating on this one. Nisheet is bringing a 2nd bottle with him)
• Contact case
• Spare contacts
• Eye drops
• Glasses + hard case
• Travel toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Floss
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash
• Face wipes (so it doesn’t take up precious space in my liquid bag)
• Face lotion
• Body lotion
• Deodarant
• Mascara
• Bronzer (use as both blush + eye shadow)
• Makeup brush
• Revlon colorstay lipgloss
• Chapstick
• BB cream
• Laundry detergent
• Advil
• Cough Drops
• Band-aids
• Mirror
• Hand wipes
• Razor
• Brush/comb
• Spare pair of earrings
• Hairbands
• Eye mask
• Ear plugs
• Diva cup

Electronics:

• Camer (DSLR)
• 2 camera batteries
• Camera battery charger
• Spare camera card
• iPad connector kit (so I can download pictures from my camera)
• iPad w/ travel guides + reading material
• iPad case  w/ keyboard
• iPad charger
• Phone
• Phone charger
• Power outlet converter

Miscellaneous:

• Umbrella
• Sunglasses
• Money belt w/ passport, credit cards, and spare cash
• List of addresses  (to send postcards)
• Important phone numbers (Do you know your mom’s cell number? Didn’t think so!)
• Copies of passport, credit cards, etc
• Copies of all tickets and reservations
• Towel (for hostels)
• Small flashlight
• Pen/pencil
• Notepad
• Reusable shopping bag
• Ziplock bags
• Granola bars
• Water bottle

A few things to note: One of the reasons I can pack light is because I DO wear outfits more than once. I also wash clothes in the sink if they get dirty, and I always wash out my undies and socks after wearing them. If I wash them out at night before I go to bed, they are generally dry by the time I wake up (unless they are thick).

Why do I pack so light? (1) I’ve had my luggage lost while flying on 3 different occasions, so I only take carry-ons now. (2) With my style of traveling, I often find myself in transit between hostels and that means carrying my luggage with me while I am exploring new cities. On those occasions it is best to have as little to lug around as possible.  (3) It is refreshing to do without so many possessions for a while. It frees up space in my head when I don’t have to pick from 20 different outfits and 5 different colors of eye shadows. (4) Over time it has become a challenge that I enjoy.