1. Always pack a towel, as you never know when you'll need one whether at the beach, on a picnic, or to dry off. While hostels often provide towels, you cannot rely on this. 2. Buy a small backpack around 35-40 liters to force yourself to pack light and avoid overpacking. Humans naturally want to fill available space. 3. Pack lightly, taking half the clothes you think you'll need. Write an essentials list and cut it in half. You won't have much room in a small backpack anyway.