One year, one backpack

I decided to pack for a year in one backpack and one small daypack. After over half a year abroad and experiencing everything from hot and humid summer to a knee-deep snow, I can say that it works pretty well!

The key to pack for a year in one backpack is to pack for one week... and do a laundry every week.

Bags

• Backpack 40L (Forclaz Travel 500 40L)
• Daypack 10L (Quechua Escape NH 150 Square)
• Packing cubes and plastic bags
• Fanny pack for money and documents

Clothes

• 7 undies
• 5 pairs of light socks, 2 pairs of warm socks
• 1 bra
• 1 pair of medium-warm tights
• 5 light tanktops/shirts
• 2 longer pants (one light, one warm)
• 1 convertible pants (truly a lifesaver when it comes to travelling)
• 1 shorts
• 1 sweatshirt
• 1 sweatpants
• Rainjacket
• Winter headband
• Scarf (in winter used as intended, in summer I can use it to sit on a ground in parks)
• Pyjamas (tank top + knee-length pants)
• 2 pair of sunglasses
• Summer hat

Wait, you night think. It doesn't seem like you have anything for a winter!

That's because I decided to buy my winter things here, use it during the season, and then ship them back home in one package (which cost me about 25USD - and I threw in some plushies and souvenirs for my family as well)

And I haven't really bought or paid much! Most of my winter gear comes from Uniqlo, as it's light and cheap. And since all of the winter things I bought are used for layering with my summer clothes - they don't need to be too warm just by themselves.

My winter gear was:

• One heat tech turtleneck (Uniqlo)
• One heat tech leggins (Uniqlo)
• Gloves (Uniqlo)
• Winter jacket (Second hand)

...that's all!

No, I' wouldn't wear shorts during winter - but shorts with tights? Yes! Also, I wouldn't wear just a T-shirt - but T-shirt over a winter-only turtleneck? Yup! Also - my convertibles are rather light, ideal for spring. But with leggings underneath, they make a perfect winter setup.

With layering, I can use some parts of my wardrobe all year round, and only need additional layers during winter.

Shoes

• Winter/hiking shoes (I'm always wearing those while moving around since they are way bigger)
• 1 pair of light walking shoes
• Flip-flops

Toiletry

• Microfibre towel
• Sunscreen
• BB cream
• Bottle of shampoo/shower 3in1 stuff
• Face cleaner
• Tiny bottle of perfume
• Moisturizer
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Small scissors
• Eye drops
• Lipbalm
• Foldable toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• One reusable earpick (bought in Japan)

My toiletry pack is quite minimal, since (aside from BB cream) I don't really do make up. My short hair doesn't need special treatment as well, so no conditioner or even brush is needed - but things like that one can usually be found in hostels and, in case of Japan, onsens and public baths. I also do not menstruate right now, but if I did, I'd additionally pack a menstrual cup.

Medicine / chem

• 1 year worth of my prescribed medicine
• Trusted meds for upset stomach
• A few painkiller pills
• A few sticking plasters
• Laundry leaves

Laundry leaves are the best thing ever! Light, compact no risk of spilling anything, and you can use half of 1/4 depending on your laundry load and needs - it works perfectly even with hand washing.

Electronics (I pack them all in my daypack during travelling and I think it's heavier than my 40L backpack!)

• iPad with pencil and keyboard
• Camera (Fujifilm X-S20 + Fujinon 18-55mm f2.8/4.0 - very versatile lenses!), SD card, one battery
• Lightning to USB/SD converter
• Phone
• Kindle
• Powerbank
• Cables
• Electric adapter with 3 USB ports
• Earphones

"Should I take my laptop or not?" tormented me for a few weeks before my deparure, but I decided against it. Laptop is super heavy and requires big charger. My electronics already weighted a lot. I figured out that I can do most of the things on my iPad or phone - and that's true. I definitely miss some of the stuff I'd be able to do on PC (like gaming or video editing) but they are non-essential and I can get by without them.

Comfort / others

• Needles and threads (tiny package for emergencies)  
• Earplugs (Loop quiet - I love love love loooove them)
• Eye mask
• One lightweight climbing stick (which I got myself in Japan for a birthday)

And to be fair... Along the way, I also bought some souvenirs, umbrella - a necessity for a summertime - small plushies, two wristwatches and even Nintendo DS (I though I was able to survive a year without games... haha!). It all, somehow, still fits.

♡♡♡

Yes, my wardrobe and outfits are pretty limited. I do not have anything suited for more formal or party situations (because I don't get myself in party situations...). I imagine it would be the hell for fashion enjoyers, but again, I'm not one.

Yes, sometimes living on a one bag can be a bit pain in the ass. But only sometimes, because mostly, it works. And there is something really comforting in being able to pack into a bag I can easily carry on my shoulders - it serves me as a reminder that I don't really need much to live a fulfilling life.