I went on my 8,5 months travels with a big suitcase of 20 kg and a backpack of 8 kg.
As I stayed 6 months in a family and didn’t have to change accommodation regularly, I found it more convenient to use a suitcase instead of a big backpack and I never had any problems with it.
If I had done only backpacking and changing hostels regularly I would have brought a backpack because in cities it is not the easiest thing to drag your suitcase through the streets.
There are some things I regret bringing because I didn’t use them, and they were just unnecessary weight and space.
Some of these things might be specific for me, but I’ll try to apply it to more general items.

Things you didn’t use at home

I brought a top that I crocheted a while ago at home and I never wore it because it is a bit tight and I just don’t like the fit thinking about it now, but when I left I thought I just needed the right weather for it and as I flew in the summer and to the beach I brought it.
I ended up never wearing it and probably wouldn’t wear it at home again either.
So if you have clothes you don’t wear at home, don’t bring them, you will not wear them there.

Books

Don’t bring a bunch of books!
One for your flight there if you want to read is enough.
I always searched for free book exchanges because I don’t really care about what I read, and I also found good books in there.
You might be able to randomly find those book exchanges in old telephone booths or some cafés have it, or I found one in my neighbourhood where a family had a small enclosed shelf in their front yard for people to exchange books.
I just asked in the neighbourhood Facebook group if anyone knows of any book exchanges, and they recommended me that one.
I was able to leave my read book in there and take a new one out.
Another option is exchanging books with people you meet on your travels.

A picknick blanket

I brought a sauna towel that I wanted to use as a small picknick blanket when I go to the beach.
I never really used it because my micro fibre towels were just as big as that one, but lighter and smaller, so I always opted to just take a regular towel and use that to dry myself and sit on the beach.
Even if we went to have a picknick on grass, I preferred my light towel, or I borrowed a picknick blanket from my host family, but I get that not everybody is staying with a family.

A mosquito net

I just brought that one for my 2 weeks in Bali after travelling 8 months and didn’t even need it, so I never used it at all.
I should have just informed myself better on my travels and realised that I will be staying in good accommodations that have mosquito nets around the bed and I also got to say that I didn’t get bitten by any mosquitos until my very last day (even though my friend complained about a lot of mosquito bites, so I might just have been lucky).
So make sure you inform yourself on your accommodations and your locations and choose some that might offer more, so you can save some space in your luggage.

Gifts

I don’t mean gifts that I brought for my host family.
I am happy I brought them some things to show them something from my home country, but I mean when you get a package from your family or friends.
You would probably rather do that if you are staying in one place for a longer time.
I exchanged a package with my family and friends for Christmas, and I sent them one big one, and they sent me one big one together.
I am happy I did that, even though it was pretty expensive, but I didn’t have to worry about bringing them any souvenirs because I already sent them something, which saved some space in my luggage as well.
My family and friends sent me things though that I don’t need on my travels.
I liked to receive snacks, DIYs I could do with the kids and cards, but I didn’t know what I should do with a mug or a book with crochet ideas.
I ended up giving the mug to my hosts in New Zealand as a welcoming gift and brought the book home which added unnecessary weight to my further travels (sorry guys, if you read this. I loved your gifts though!).

Now to the other side of my luggage, the things I am happy about that I brought them.
There is another post about what you should bring travelling, but this one has some other items in it.

Shampoo and conditioner bars

Instead of the liquid shampoo, conditioner and body wash, I brought bars of them and had them in sustainable boxes.
I already used them before leaving, so knew they work for me.
One time I bought a liquid shampoo in New Zealand because my shampoo was empty and bars were far more expensive, and it kept on spilling in my backpack, so I ended up leaving the half full bottle in a hostel on my last day in Bali because I didn’t want it to spill in my suitcase on my flight, and it was extra weight.
The bars often didn’t really dry, but it was still possible to use them normally, and they didn’t spill at all and if you are able to leave them open for some time they will dry.

Goggles

That might sound funny, but I really appreciated my goggles sometimes.
When I wanted to go snorkelling, I was able to use my small goggles instead of bringing a heavier snorkelling mask.
I just held my breath when I was underwater and came up to breathe, and it worked just as good as with snorkelling gear.
I also went to public swimming pools sometimes to swim some lanes and was happy to be able to use my goggles there as well.

An adapter with multiple connector holes

I had an adapter that worked for every country and had five USB holes, one USB-C hole and one normal plug, and it was perfect if I wanted to load multiple devices at the same time.
It was a bit big and loose on the Australian plugs that have switches next to the plug which was in the way for my adapter, but usually it was still able to load even though it was hanging a bit loose.
I also brought a second, smaller adapter with just one plug which I used in my host family and when I went on vacation I brought my other adapter and left the smaller one in the plug at their home.

Games

I actually forgot to bring that one, and my family sent me some of ours in their Christmas package.
Make sure you bring one or two small card games.
It is perfect to spend time with friends or strangers playing, to get to know them and to spend time together.
I loved learning new games on my travels and teaching them to my family now and loved to see that many people play and like a game that I used to play when I was younger and it was so much fun playing that one again.

A small sewing kit

That helped me a lot of times when my clothes got small holes.
I wanted to repair them first before throwing them away.
It was some thread of different colours and a needle I brought and used.
I did sort out some clothes during my travels when the holes got untreatable and got new clothes if necessary.
Make sure to not bring too many clothes.
Their style might be different there, and you will end up buying new things.
I was able to sort out my wardrobe at home because I already knew what I wear and what I don’t, but always thought I might need those clothes one day, but I did it without them for 8,5 months and sorted all the leftovers out as soon as I arrived at home.

I hope this is helpful for you to know what you should and shouldn’t bring on your long term travels.
It is fun to pack your whole life in a suitcase or backpack.
All my stuff in my room even overwhelmed me when I came home.
Make sure to organise your luggage well because you will have to repack it many times and have to find things fast.
I can recommend packing cubes for that.
Anyway, have fun packing and I hope you have the best trip ever!