Packing for a year of backpacking

Two months ago, I left home to spend the year living in Poland. For a few reasons, that is not how life decided to go. I am now getting ready for a flight to Australis, where I will be living for the foreseeable future. In all of the moving I have done in the past two months, I thought I would share with you some tips for packing to spend an entire year away from home!

Backpacking tips

Get a good, sturdy suitcase

I failed at this one. the suitcase I bought was the cheapest rolling duffle I could find, and less than one year later I need to buy a new one. the wheel broke, the handle ripped off, and the seams have split. My boyfriend, on the other hand, bought a hard sided suitcase that has proven to be awesome. You're better off spending a bit more and having a reliable suitcase to carry around.

If you want to also bring a carry on or backpack, go for it, but you do not need more than one large suitcase for your items. You won't use most of what you bring, and you'll curse yourself for having so much crap.

I have way too many articles of clothing, especially when I look at what I actually wear. If I had thought ahead I would have packed about half of what I actually brought. as you're packing, don't bother bringing "just in case" or "this shirt only looks good with these pants" items. they waste space if you won't wear them often.

I learned this after my first full year away. All those neat trinkets that are going to look awesome on your shelf? Half of them will break. They will look cool, but they'll also take up the space of NEW trinkets to bring home. I have everything in a bag at my parents house, and I will leave it until I have a more permanent home.

Will you be mostly needing warm clothes or cold clothes? If you're going somewhere generally warm year round, you probably don't need more than one jacket. If you're going somewhere usually cold, you can probably pack one bathing suit instead of two or three.