Back in my previous life as an oft-solo backpacker, I almost had packing down to a precise ritual. A typical packing list for a weekend getaway would look like this:

• At least 1 pair of denim shorts
• 2 tank tops
• A dress, if space permits
• Small notebook and pen
• Kindle (or a compact book)
• My handy-dandy wrist wallet
• Passport
• A shoelace (just in case I need to tie anything)
• A pair of flip-flops
• Plastic bag for dirty clothes
• Underwear
• 2 pairs of swimsuits (the bikini tops are to be used as bras)
• Deodorant and travel-size bottle of shampoo (to be also used as body wash)
• Very light shawl (to double up as the flight blanket)
• Camera (optional)
• Phone and phone charger
• Small accessories (earrings, necklaces, or bracelets)

And that was it. Everything would fit in my impossibly narrow but somehow spacious carry-on backpack. My mantra was to pack as little as possible, and improvise for whatever I left behind.

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