Packing for 6 months used to feel impossible. Now I do it with a 40L pack and it's genuinely comfortable. Here's the actual list.

Bag: Osprey Farpoint 40. The built-in daypack is genuinely useful and separates off so you have a small bag for day trips. 40L fits in any overhead bin anywhere in the world.

Clothing: 3 t-shirts (2 merino, 1 synthetic), 1 long-sleeve merino, 1 lightweight down jacket, 1 waterproof shell, 2 pairs pants (1 zip-off, 1 light chinos), 1 pair shorts, 5 pairs merino socks, 5 pairs merino underwear, 1 pair flip flops, 1 pair trail runners. That's it. Merino wool is the key — it doesn't smell for days, dries fast, and works across temperature ranges.

Electronics: laptop, phone, universal adapter, 1 charging cable per device, small power bank, earbuds. No dedicated camera; phone camera has been sufficient for 3 years.

Toiletries: solid shampoo bar, solid conditioner, solid soap, travel toothbrush, toothpaste tabs, sunscreen (refill locally), lip balm. Solid toiletries survive airport security without the liquid hassle.

The things I used to pack and no longer do: guidebooks (phone), extra shoes (pick one good pair), multiple towels (1 microfiber), any 'just in case' clothing I never actually wore.