Packing for a week away is far different than packing for a whole month or longer! While you can easily pack a capsule wardrobe and repurpose clothing, there are some things that can be harder to live without, and depending on where you are going, can be more difficult to get. But when you travel for a long time, you want some of the comforts of home since you won't be back for a while. The one thing that's hard to bring is your own bed, but hopefully, some of these options can make your trip more enjoyable when you'll be gone a long time.

Bring Your Guitar

Music connects people. It helps people de-stress and you can do it whether you're in the airport, the hotel, or hanging on the beach with your family and friends. There is nothing quite like taking a musical instrument out and singing a familiar song with the people you love the most. Some of the best acoustic guitars have incredible sound and the good news is that you don't need to plug them in like an electric guitar. This means you can tote it with you anywhere it'll fit. Plus, when you're a musician, you don't want to get out of practice or lose your hard-earned calluses because you're away from the guitar for too long.

Your Pillow

There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed, but since that usually won't fit in a suitcase, bringing your own pillow is the next best thing. Getting good rest when you travel is especially important because you'll be exposed to new people and new germs. Lack of sleep reduces your immune system. It's one of the reasons why getting a good night's sleep is so critical. If you have your own pillow to sleep on you're more likely to rest easy and sleep more comfortably.

Some Ear Plugs

You never know what kind of late-night shenanigans other guests will pull at a hotel. Having earplugs will give you a way to drown out the noise and get better sleep. You can also bring a sleep mask to help avoid light pollution that would also impact your sleep.

Extra Power Cords/Adaptors

While not really all that interesting, bringing extra power cords and adaptors can be handy when you're on a longer trip. This is especially true if you need to work from the road and must have computer access. Having extra cords helps whether you accidentally lose one or one of them decides to break.

Your Own Towel

While hotel towels are okay, let's face it, they don't exactly wrap around the whole body all the time. These tiny towels may be efficient for them, but they certainly don't feel like home. Bring along a towel with you. This will help whether the hotel towels are too tiny if you want something comfortable for the beach, and if you just love the feeling of your towel from home.

Versatile Wardrobe

The best thing you can pack for a long trip is a versatile wardrobe. There is no need to bring along everything you own. But you can pack smartly. Pack pants or shorts that go with several different tops. Pack shirts that coordinate with more than one set of accessories. If you need something dressy, bring along one dress that fits great and looks amazing on you, instead of bringing along a few, "just in case". This is a good use of the little black dress or pair of black dress slacks with a shirt and tie. You can easily bring along 7-10 days' worth of clothes that you can wear for a month or more if you choose the right pieces.

A Deck of Playing Cards

Whether you're going on a solo trip or heading somewhere with friends, playing cards is a great addition when you'll be gone for a while. You can play a game of solitaire when you're done scrolling through social media. You can make new friends by playing a game with them when you're on the go. You can play late at night with your friends. And they don't take up much space. When you need some entertainment and relaxation, you can play cards whether you'll be staying in a hotel or in a remote jungle somewhere else.