What Not to Pack & How Not to Do It

If your pants rip in France, hooray! One less thing to carry.

Packing for a long trip can be overwhelming—especially when you don’t know what to pack and have a history of getting it terribly wrong. Every time I open my suitcase at my destination, I immediately question, What on earth was I thinking? I joke that I must have blacked out during packing and can’t be held responsible for Past Ellen’s decisions. Over the years, I’ve mastered the art of overpacking while somehow never including anything essential. But this trip was going to be different. Packing for seven countries, temperatures ranging from 75°F to 45°F, and only a carry-on? Major decisions had to be made.

Did I still have packing regrets? Absolutely. But I had some wins, too…

I started by changing my packing mindset. If I couldn’t bring my Shark Flexstyle, did it really matter what hair and skincare products I packed? If I could only bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, did I really need the perfume? (Spoiler: Yes, yes I did.) But really, this line of thinking helped me profoundly in the beginning. However, I did want to be comfortable since we were traveling long-term, and I was unwilling to part with some of those simple luxuries that would make life better. That was the start of my downfall.

Now, before we dive into the DON’TS, let’s check the facts. Did I survive the trip? YES. Did I almost have to lug 40+ pounds of stuff for six weeks? YES, but not quite. Did I accidentally overdo it and have a minor medical emergency that forced me to buy a suitcase three days before flying home? Okay, YES, but I love that suitcase. My back didn’t break, and I survived so many days of trekking that I consider it a true backpacking adventure. I’d say we crushed it.

Now, let’s talk about packing.

DON’T Mistake Comfort Now for Comfort Later

The things you appreciate most while traveling are often different from what you rely on at home. For a first-time traveler, this can be tricky. So, here's a list of what not to bring:

1. Too many shirts and socks.
Just because they’re small and lightweight doesn’t mean you need to pack extra. Stick to the essentials, and remember, you can always wash your clothes.

2. Beats headphones with noise-canceling.
This one might be controversial, but hear me out. If I’d been traveling solo or staying in hostels more frequently, I probably would’ve used them more. But my trusty AirPods did the job just fine, and I wish I could have saved myself the headache of worrying about my Beats being stolen or damaged without a case.

3. Shoes.
I packed for what I thought my trip would be like, not for the reality of it. Europe was experiencing record rainfall and unexpected cool temps. Suddenly, my carefully planned footwear didn’t seem so necessary.

4. Too many electronics, chargers, and wires.
Try to reduce wires, equipment, and charger to what is absolutely necessary. These things take up more space than you think and a lot of them go unused.

5. Too many cosmetics and jewelry.
Unless you’re attending a fancy gala or planning to get married in every city, you really don’t need that much makeup or jewelry. Trust me.

6. Too many small organizational items.
These might seem practical, but they often end up taking up valuable space in your bag and complicating things. Minimalism is key.

The Overpacking Struggle is Real

It’s hard to narrow down your items and realize you need to cut back even further. But here’s the thing: for a backpacking trip, you usually don’t plan on shopping for extra stuff. Just because it can fit doesn’t mean it should—especially in those early stages of packing when you’re still figuring out what’s necessary.

On the flip side, having too few things can be just as problematic. The key is to focus on lightweight, packable essentials.

For a true backpacking experience, a 40-liter backpack is often recommended. It’s small enough for a carry-on but has enough space for your essentials without weighing you down.

I opted for the Osprey 55L Fairview pack. It’s tailored to women’s bodies, comes with a supportive back, and includes a 40L main compartment with a detachable 15L daypack. Perfect for long-term travel with just the right amount of space.

When all is said and done, the best way to travel is to go with someone who does know what they’re doing. And luckily I did. My best friend, neighbor, and travel buddy definitely knew what she was doing from day one. If you  want to know how to actually pack, read on to learn her ways…