Simplify Your Bag

Simplify Your Bag

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31 Days and 31 ways to simplify your life, whether or not you have ADHD :)
31 Days and 31 ways to simplify your life, whether or not you have ADHD 🙂

Big purse, little purse; which one are you?

I personally prefer a larger bag, as do my daughters. (My oldest, Sarah, used to make fun of her sisters and my big bags until she had a baby and realized how useful they were.)

But even if you carry a small bag, it can still be a mess inside.

I really hate that stereotypical image of a woman digging through her bag trying to find what she needs.

Still, I’ve been that woman, more than once.

I have little to no patience, especially with things that aggravate me.

It’s how I learned to manage my ADHD symptoms better; I got mad. 😉

So back to our handbags or tote bags; either will work.

How do you organize yours?

Simplify Your Bag

Or do you?

I think that there are two main components when it comes to having a well organized bag:

  1. The bag itself – very important
  2. What you decide to carry in it

My youngest daughter Caitlin used to have this friend who always carried giant bags. It was almost like a magic bag.

She came to visit Cait once when she was in the hospital and all manner of things was produced:

  • Hungry? Why here’s a snack or two!
  • Bored? Well I’ve got a card game or two and some puzzles!
  • Looking a little peaked? Here’s some makeup! She even had nail polish!

It was never ending!

Well, I’m not that bad, but I do think I carry a lot with me. In fact, I have tried to simplify my own bag.

So here is the plan that I use to stock my bag, hopefully not overstocking it.

Divide what I want to carry into categories.

For me, I need:

  • Medical related stuff like ibuprofen, tissues, and cough drops.
  • Cosmetic related things like lip balm, a nail file, and hand cream. I also put my essential oils in this category.
  • A teeny tiny notepad, a pen, and a cloth for my phone screen. Sometimes I add my paint chips from the house.
  • Cards and cash
  • Sunglasses
  • My phone
  • Keys
  • Reading glasses

I don’t carry my planner with me; it’s too big. I debate that all the time and still don’t have a good solution.

When I buy a new bag, I take a look at utility as well as appearance. It can be the most beautiful thing in the world, but if it doesn’t work for me, it just won’t do.

One thing I like is an outside pocket big enough to hold my iPhone 6+ without risking it falling out. Almost impossible.

I actually like 2 outside pockets so I can put my sunglasses in the other one.

Then I take a look at the pockets on the inside, trying to use them as much as possible. My goal is to have the actual purse just contain my phone and keys, making them easy to grab.

Plan B involves the use of small zippered cases to hold my things. Right now, I have three: one for cards and money, one for receipts, and one for pen and paper.

This way everything is organized and I can find what I need quickly and easily.

Do you have an organized bag or a messy one?

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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