Great advice here already - rolling stuff up always helps. Minimize your clothes - you can always get away with less than you think, and pack with space in mind (ie. choose a windbreaker instead of a sweatshirt or hoodie - it takes up way less space but basically serves the same purpose.)
Definitely pack stuff into your shoes, and go with mini travel-sized toiletries instead of big, full bottles. When you travel you might even consider wearing your bulkiest clothing, as it takes up the most space. For instance, I always wear my dress clothes when I travel, including all of my accessories, which means I don't need to pack all of that stuff.
I just did a 3 week trip to Asia using only a carry-on suitcase and my laptop bag. You can definitely do it if you plan it out. As for coming back with more than you left with, I would definitely just pack an empty bag to take with you or buy a cheap bag when you get to where you're going. Last trip I bought an extra bag for souvenirs and it only cost me $15.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
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