Hello fellow travellers! Some advice for a new backpacker?

I am gearing up to do a year long solo backpacking trip. Although I have done some travel I have never gone for so long alone. I have been planning for a long time but I have only recently started saving in earnest. I am looking for your recommendations on how to cut costs, advice on what I can't miss, what I probably shouldn't do and just to hear some of your favourite travel memories.