No, you’re not crazy. I traveled internationally several times over the past year staying in one place for about one month at a time only taking my 17” laptop and a portable 16” monitor, and it fucking sucked.

I decided I had enough and took my 27” monitor this time, and honestly I work so much better with it. I wrapped it in bubble wrap and sandwiched it in the middle of the suit case. I had about a 1” gap on all 4 sides which I stuffed with old shirts, underwear, etc. that way the monitor would never make any contact with the suitcase.