When embarking on a 6-month journey to Costa Rica, the first challenge was packing everything I needed into just 2 suitcases. As someone who tends to overpack even for short trips, this was no small feat. But with some careful planning and a lot of trial and error, I managed to fit everything I needed into those two suitcases.

The first step was to take inventory of everything I wanted to bring with me. Clothes, toiletries, electronics, and shoes were all on the list, as well as a few special items that reminded me of home.

Once I had my list, it was time to start packing. I quickly realized that I needed to be strategic about what I put where. I packed my heaviest items, like my shoes and electronics, in the bottom of my suitcases, and used packing cubes to separate clothes and keep them organized.

But perhaps the biggest lifesaver during this packing process was the use of plastic rolls. These simple, lightweight rolls allowed me to compress my clothes and reduce the amount of space they took up in my suitcase. Not only did this allow me to fit more items in, but it also helped keep everything wrinkle-free.

Of course, the process wasn't without its challenges. I had to make some tough choices about what to leave behind, and I definitely had a few moments of panic when I thought I wouldn't be able to fit everything in. But with some persistence and creativity, I was able to make it work.

In the end, packing for a 6-month trip to Costa Rica was definitely a challenge, but it was also a great opportunity to simplify my life and focus on what was truly important. And thanks to a few handy tools, like plastic rolls, I was able to make it all fit.