Solo travelers - what’s your actually essential item that most people forget?

Hey everyone,

I’ve been solo traveling for a little over 3 years now, and I keep running into the same situation whenever I try to get friends into it:

They overpack the wrong stuff… and completely miss the things you actually end up needing.

So I started putting together a super simple “essentials only” list based on my own trips. Not luxury, not overthinking, just stuff I’ve genuinely used over and over again:

• microfiber towel (light + dries fast, never had an issue with it)
• power bank (this one is non-negotiable at this point)
• sunglasses (didn’t think much of it at first, but yeah… necessary)
• small compressible daypack (beach/hikes/city exploring)
• one solid pair of comfortable shoes (this matters more than anything tbh)
• a small card game / deck (I carry Exploding Kittens, and it weirdly breaks the ice with strangers in hostels)

And that’s basically it.

I’m trying to keep this list minimal, but I have a feeling I’m still missing some of those “you don’t realize it until you need it” items.

Like the stuff experienced solo travelers always carry but beginners never think about.

What’s that one item you ALWAYS pack that most people forget?