Often our handbags become a sea of clutter. We invest a good deal of money in these bags. We love them, we carry them with pride – but what we carry is usually a whole lot more than we need. We often don’t give it a thought until the first time we can’t find that ringing cell phone, or it’s overflowing with so much stuff that we start to have shoulder and neck pain.
A messy, heavy handbag is an annoyance and a source of stress. So why be bogged down with an unorganized bag? Here are some tips to get a fresh start.
First, dump everything out of your bag, onto the floor. Second, throw away the obvious garbage. Next, put away anything you know really shouldn’t be in your bag into a drawer or somewhere else for storage.
Next, it’s time to be reasonable about what and how much you carry. With a streamlined attitude, we can start to plan our new approach.
One thing we know you’ll need is your wallet. In it should be the absolute essentials like money, credit cards, bus pass, ID etc.
Take your mobile phone in your bag if you don’t use it often, or in your pocket if you are talking constantly.
As for your keys, you want to be able to find them quickly, and a large, bright keychain helps. Your keys should be attached to your bag or your person at all times.
Only bring the essential makeup. This might just be lipgloss, and maybe lipstick; perhaps a couple of other items. It is definitely not necessary to carry your whole make-up bag around with you.
Always carry mints or chewing gum. Fresh breath is an essential accessory!
Be prepared for allergy season (yours or someone else’s) with some tissues.
Don’t forget to bring along any medication you might need.
Keep a maxi-pad or tampon in case of emergencies. You can keep this in a non-descript bag or case if you’re concerned it might fall out.
Have some aspirin on hand for headaches….again, yours or someone else’s.
Bring a small flash light – one that clips on to your keychain is ideal.
It may sound strange, but think about carrying a Swiss Army Knife or jack-knife. Some are made just for women and include attachments like tweezers, etc. It’s great for opening packages or other small jobs.
Grab a pen and a small notepad. You never know when you’ll need to get someone’s email or phone number.
And finally, consider carrying Mace or pepper spray for protection.
And that’s it. All you have to do now is stay organized by sticking to these items, and not throwing junk in your bag – remember, it’s not a trash can.
One caveat: if you’re traveling by air, you’ll need to leave some of the above items at home – be sure to check the latest security restrictions. Otherwise, you’re all set!