2017 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[bakeacookie]

I carry water everywhere now, never had to because there was always a drinking fountain everywhere at school, or I’d just pick some up. This is the heaviest addition, especially if I opt for my reusable bottles.

More toiletries and just in case meds, like eye drops. Oh and hair accessories, clips and ties since my hair is longer. And of course these are in pouches, which adds weight.

Chargers and back up battery packs, when my phone used to die a lot. I guess I can remove this now. But 10 years ago I had phones where you could swap the battery (I miss you, blackberry!) so there was no need for a plug, cable, battery pack. Just thin, spare batteries.

Sometimes I carry a notebook or sketchbook too, for when I’m feeling creative. Never did that 10 years ago.

Oh and a reusable bag, sometimes 2 or more if I know I’m going to do groceries. 10 years ago that wasn’t common to have.

10 years ago, I had a simple wallet and a ziplock with hand sanitizer and lip balm. [emoji23] the bare essentials back in the day.


Also 10 years ago, I wore cheapy bags which are pretty light. There was no embellishment, plain as plain can be bags. Now opting for leather, decorative locks, charms, straps. More weight.

Maybe I can take out the battery pack. New phone so it’s not going to die in 20 minutes, unlike the old one I had to keep plugged in. That’ll alleviate some weight.

And I’m with you @catsinthebag, I’ll always end up carrying something of DBFs too, more so if traveling!

 

[catsinthebag]

I carry water everywhere now, never had to because there was always a drinking fountain everywhere at school, or I’d just pick some up. This is the heaviest addition, especially if I opt for my reusable bottles.

More toiletries and just in case meds, like eye drops. Oh and hair accessories, clips and ties since my hair is longer. And of course these are in pouches, which adds weight.

Chargers and back up battery packs, when my phone used to die a lot. I guess I can remove this now. But 10 years ago I had phones where you could swap the battery (I miss you, blackberry!) so there was no need for a plug, cable, battery pack. Just thin, spare batteries.

Sometimes I carry a notebook or sketchbook too, for when I’m feeling creative. Never did that 10 years ago.

Oh and a reusable bag, sometimes 2 or more if I know I’m going to do groceries. 10 years ago that wasn’t common to have.

10 years ago, I had a simple wallet and a ziplock with hand sanitizer and lip balm. [emoji23] the bare essentials back in the day.


Also 10 years ago, I wore cheapy bags which are pretty light. There was no embellishment, plain as plain can be bags. Now opting for leather, decorative locks, charms, straps. More weight.

Maybe I can take out the battery pack. New phone so it’s not going to die in 20 minutes, unlike the old one I had to keep plugged in. That’ll alleviate some weight.

And I’m with you @catsinthebag, I’ll always end up carrying something of DBFs too, more so if traveling!

I carry water most of the time, too. And it does add an enormous amount of weight.

I know some of this is the changing of the times (who needed to carry a cell phone charger before there were cell phones?), but I have to wonder if it’s also what happens when you get older. I live in an area with tons of college students, and I see lots of young women carrying small crossbody bags and tiny wristlets. How can they carry so little?

I often look at my bags and think, I can’t possibly need all this crap! But when I try to downsize, I get frustrated.

Anyone else who has tried to downsize? Did it work, or did you end up going back to your larger bags?

 

[Sparkletastic]

I carry water most of the time, too. And it does add an enormous amount of weight.

I know some of this is the changing of the times (who needed to carry a cell phone charger before there were cell phones?), but I have to wonder if it’s also what happens when you get older. I live in an area with tons of college students, and I see lots of young women carrying small crossbody bags and tiny wristlets. How can they carry so little?

I often look at my bags and think, I can’t possibly need all this crap! But when I try to downsize, I get frustrated.

Anyone else who has tried to downsize? Did it work, or did you end up going back to your larger bags?

Yep. As I mentioned. I carry relatively little. I just don't find I ever need extra stuff. As long as a bag is big enough to fit my sunglasses along with my essentials, I'm good.

 

[GoStanford]

I live in an area with tons of college students, and I see lots of young women carrying small crossbody bags and tiny wristlets. How can they carry so little?

I miss those days of carrying a little Coach envelope bag or wristlet, or something similar. Now my purse contents have descended into the "what if" items, like Band-Aids, a bottle of Tums, and postage stamps.

 

[GoStanford]

I had some extra time today and was in the neighborhood, so I stopped by the BV boutique and tried it on. Not sure it was magic, but oh my, I really, really, really like this bag!

This looks fantastic on you! Do you know the name of this bag? I should check over on the BV thread as I think it's been described there as well. I'm wondering how it compares to the Bella (now officially named the Garda). The drop looks longer on the bag you tried on, which I think would be really nice to accommodate a jacket in the winter months.

 

[catsinthebag]

Yep. As I mentioned. I carry relatively little. I just don't find I ever need extra stuff. As long as a bag is big enough to fit my sunglasses along with my essentials, I'm good.

As I’m thinking about this, I’m realizing that my “essentials” aren’t that much: small wallet, an LV pochette for lip stuff, gum, Purell, etc.), some Kleenex, an inhaler, sunglasses, phone, keys. That isn’t too bad, is it? I don’t carry any makeup or hair products, or any technology besides my phone.

It’s the extras that get me in trouble: notebook, water bottle, umbrella. And the aforementioned re-useable bags. I have to ask myself how much I really need those things. Because they are making me feel weighted down.

 

[catsinthebag]

This looks fantastic on you! Do you know the name of this bag? I should check over on the BV thread as I think it's been described there as well. I'm wondering how it compares to the Bella (now officially named the Garda). The drop looks longer on the bag you tried on, which I think would be really nice to accommodate a jacket in the winter months.

Thank you! It’s called the Chain Tote. I also started a thread on the BV forum asking about it because a search for that bag yielded nothing. A few people wrote some really useful comments, if you want to check it out. I’m not really familiar with all the BV styles, so I don’t know anything about the Bella/Garda.

 

[catsinthebag]

I miss those days of carrying a little Coach envelope bag or wristlet, or something similar. Now my purse contents have descended into the "what if" items, like Band-Aids, a bottle of Tums, and postage stamps.

The “what if” items are a killer! My DH used to say you could go anywhere and be fine as long as you had a cell phone and an AmEx card. He now regrets that comment — says I learned it too well, lol! This was before he had reading glasses for me to carry, btw!

 

[bakeacookie]

I carry water most of the time, too. And it does add an enormous amount of weight.

I know some of this is the changing of the times (who needed to carry a cell phone charger before there were cell phones?), but I have to wonder if it’s also what happens when you get older. I live in an area with tons of college students, and I see lots of young women carrying small crossbody bags and tiny wristlets. How can they carry so little?

I often look at my bags and think, I can’t possibly need all this crap! But when I try to downsize, I get frustrated.

Anyone else who has tried to downsize? Did it work, or did you end up going back to your larger bags?

Downsized would be wallet, lip balm, phone for those cute little bags, that’s what I keep in my WOCs.

But on a daily basis I “need” all those things for what ifs. It’s reassuring to have all of those things with me.

When I was packing for a trip I was amazed how I felt at ease with the downsized for a WOC but on a daily basis needed more things. I have an office and a car to keep things in, why I keep things in my bag I’ll never know

I’m weird like that [emoji23]

I guess we all need different things, which makes complete sense.

I just need to make it lighter to help my shoulder.

 

[msd_bags]

The “what if” items are a killer! My DH used to say you could go anywhere and be fine as long as you had a cell phone and an AmEx card. He now regrets that comment — says I learned it too well, lol! This was before he had reading glasses for me to carry, btw!

I was asked by a male colleague before, "Is your bag an emergency kit?" Good point!!

 

[GoStanford]

I was asked by a male colleague before, "Is your bag an emergency kit?" Good point!!

But you know if there *were* an emergency, he'd be running to you for help!

 

[bakeacookie]

But you know if there *were* an emergency, he'd be running to you for help!

That’s so true!

Oh I do have a tiny first aid kit.

Cuz I am accident prone.

[emoji23] I need to not need all this stuff!

 

[msd_bags]

Every time I transfer my stuff to my next bag, I scrutinize the contents and see what I can leave out. But in goes everything still! I have already downsized into a small wallet from a continental zip around last (?) year. But then I had to add a card holder to hold other cards I removed from the wallet. Then I have a small pouch for keys. Then an aluminum card holder (RFID). Then emergency meds. Wet tissue (could be heavy) and also regular tissue (our public/common restrooms here don't usually have supply). Then a cosmetic pouch, but really, all I need is a comb, pressed powder and brush, 1 lipstick and my dental floss. Then the really heavy stuff are my 3 cellphones, cord/charger and power bank (sometimes I just leave this as this is really heavy). I think the little pouches add substantial weight too!!

 

[bakeacookie]

Omg I upsized my wallet! It was too cute not to, but haha. There’s weight in that too.

The power banks are really heavy. And all the SLGs add up too.

I even left my card case with the rewards cards at home in favor of the notebook/sketchbook.

Oh well. I just have to switch hands or put my bag down more for now.

 

[Sparkletastic]

If someone is commuting via public transportation or has little kids, they definitely need more at their fingertips than I do.
But, what I found (very happily) is that when I stopped carrying the "what ifs", I never needed them. For example, my umbrella stays in my car. If I'm caught in a surprise shower without it (can't recall the last time that happened), I can sub something else for my head as I dash to the car. Or, I can just shake the few drops from my head when I get to shelter. No biggie.

I got a battery case and car charger for my phone to all but eliminate the times I need a backup battery / cords, etc. Can't recall when I've ever needed a band aid when out. I don't mail letters on the fly so no stamps needed. I almost never need a shawl/wrap. Books are on my Kindle app. Notes on Evernote app. Appointments on my calendar app. To dos on my to do app. etc.

So, emergencies needing the contingency stuff just don't happen. And, I figure if I really need something, there's a Walgreens or Walmart around every corner. Easy peasy.

I always balk at using bag organizers, lots of SLG's, large wallets, etc. I think they add weight and bulk. So, I try not to have things to organize or be contained. Lol!