1. Always pack a towel, as it is useful for drying off at beaches, picnics, or hostels that may not provide towels. 2. Buy a small backpack around 35-40 liters to force yourself to pack light and avoid overpacking. 3. When packing, take half the clothes you think you need, make a list of essentials, cut it in half, and only pack that due to the limited space in a small backpack.