Organize My Life: What I Take in My Bag

{Organize My Life is a multi-post series all about (you guessed it) organization! Make sure you check out the other posts listed at the end of each entry (as most of these posts will reference one another), as well as the coinciding video!}

I am *constantly* on the go. There is very rarely a day where I'm not in my car. Whether it be going to work, visiting a loved one, or running errands, I'm driving all the time. Of course, because I'm on the go, I need to bring things with me. I have a very specific combination of items that I take along with me, depending on the occasion, and I've gotten very used to knowing what I need and in what bag to get me through the day. For today's edition of Organize My Life, I thought I'd take you through some of my bags to show you what I take along with me, as well as give you some bag organization tips!

Meet the Fleet 

I have 3 bags that I use on a regular basis, all of varying sizes and that work for different occasions. Though I'm a huge fan of purses and would spend my entire paycheck on them if I could, I tend to use the same bags for years. I really get my money's worth out of each of my purses, especially if it's one that can fit everything I need in it! Here's my current fleet of bags:

Cross Body

From: Target

Price: ~$20
Occasions: Day trip, Night out, Errands

Satchel

From: Charming Charlie

Price: ~$40
Occasions: Day trip, Errands

Tote

From: Dagne Dover

Price: $265 - (This was a gift to me from my mom!)

Occasions: School, Work, Weekends

*Check out this post for a review!

As I mentioned, I take certain bags with me depending on the occasion and situation. I also take a specific combination of items with me to accommodate where I'm going and what I'll be doing.  At the moment, I spend most of my time at either work, school, or visiting Brett or family, so I'm not home very often. Some of these set ups may seem excessive, but I like to have everything I need on me so I don't have to worry about needing something! Here are my essential items for each of my day-to-day adventures:

What I Take to Run Errands

Most of the time when I'm running errands, it's usually just to the grocery store with maybe a stop for an iced coffee, so I usually just bring my wristlet and phone. However, If I know that I'm going to be out for several hours, my Cross Body is a must so I can be hands free. (Can't be fumbling with a phone when I'm sifting through the sales!) I don't tend to bring much with me, especially when I know I'll be carrying a lot back into my apartment. There are some occasions where I'll bring more than this (like if I'm waiting for my car at the shop and need a book to pass the time), but for the most part, this is what comes along with me:

Bag: Cross Body

Items:

-iPhone 5C

-Wristlet/apartment keys (They're attached. Wristlet from Charming Charlie.)

-Pen
-Sunglasses

Additional Items Not Pictured:

-Pack of gum (On the off chance I have one, it lives in this bag.)

-Chapstick (Especially when the weather gets colder.)

-Tissues (Especially when the weather gets colder.)

-Camera (You never know when you'll see something is vlog/photo worthy!)

What I Take to Work/School

As I spend most of my time at these two locations, my school/work bag could be considered my "daily" bag. 12 hour days are not foreign to me, so I pack a lot into my tote to get me through. Some of these items change depending on which of my 3 jobs I'm at, but it's pretty consistent day-to-day. Here's what I need to conquer a work/school day:

Bag: Tote

Items:

-Water bottle or Tumbler

-Glasses
-Erin Condren Life Planner
-A variety of Post-Its and note pads (these are usually stored in my tote, regardless of the occasion, so I always have something to take a quick note on!)

-iPad Air (access to my Google Drive & email during meetings, as well as any eTextbooks for class)

-External hard drive

-Headphones (to not disturb my colleagues while I watch videos or listen to music)

-Portable charger

-Elephant wristlet (houses emergency migraine pills, hair ties, and bobby pins)

-Wristlet/apartment keys

-Pen/Pencil case

-iPhone 5C

-Sunglasses

-Work notebook (changes depending on which job I am at!)

Additional Items Not Pictured:

-Binder for class
-Any textbook that isn't available on my iPad
-Chargers for both phone and iPad
-Tissues

What I Take on a Day Trip

Sometimes, when there's a break in my schedule, I'll go on day trips! Whether it be to Boston, a family gathering, or a day at the beach, these things do occasionally pop up in my life. I don't need to bring much with me for these occasions, as I'm more focused on what I'm actually doing when I get there, but I do have a couple essentials, just in case!

Bag: Satchel

Items:

-Glasses

-Erin Condren Life Planner

-Notepad

-Book that I'm currently reading (either paper version or my Kindle Fire)

-EOS Lip Balm

-iPhone 5C

-Portable Charger

-Elephant wristlet

-Wristlet/Apartment Keys

-Handful of pens/highlighters

-Sunglasses

Additional Items Not Pictured:

-Camera

-Tissues

-Chargers for phone & Kindle

What I Take on a Weekend Trip

You'll notice that this bag looks very similar to my school/work bag. I mostly replaced work-specific items with more "fun" items, and also added a few additional items so I can work while I'm away from my home computer. (Of course, this bag comes with me in addition to a bag filled with clothes and toiletries!) Here's what I'll bring along with me for a weekend trip:

Bag: Tote

Items:

-Water bottle or Tumbler

-Glasses
-Erin Condren Life Planner
-A variety of Post-Its and notepads
-Book that I'm currently reading (either paper version or my Kindle Fire)

-iPad Air

-Laptop

-Headphones

-Portable charger

-External hard drive

-Elephant wristlet (houses emergency migraine pills, hair ties, and bobby pins)

-Wristlet/apartment keys

-Pen/Pencil case

-iPhone 5C

-Sunglasses

-Garmin Forerunner 10 (weekend long runs! #marathonerprobs)

-Nintendo 3DS

-Keyboard pouch (houses my Nintendo DS games)

Additional Items Not Pictured:

-Chargers for iPhone, iPad, Kindle, Laptop, 3DS, Camera, and Garmin

-Camera

Tips for Packing Your Bag

1. Consider where you'll be, how long you'll be gone, and what you'll need while you're out. I try to think of all the possibilities - Will I have something to do if I'm stuck waiting somewhere? What will I need if an important work issue comes up? Will I be prepared if I get a headache? I can't take my whole apartment with me, but I'm typically prepared for whatever situation I face with what I pack in my bag.

2. Weight distribution is key. Depending on the shape of your bag, try to make sure that the way you pack has an even weight distribution. Not only will it prevent your bag from toppling over when you set it down (isn't that the worst?), but it also saves your shoulders & back lots of stress and pain. This is essential, especially when you have a long day ahead of you with lots of movement!

3. Utilize your pockets. Most bags come with multiple internal & external pockets which are absolutely perfect for your go-to items like your phone, keys, or pens. I find that I have a much easier time finding these things when I throw them in my pockets than when I throw them in the main abyss (and we all know that it's absolutely an abyss) of any of my bags. Your pockets will also help with tip #2!

4. If you can, pack the night before. This gives you the chance to really stop and think about what you'll need while you're out, and you'll save time in the morning scrambling to get everything together. If there are things that you won't be able to pack until the morning (toothbrush, phone, etc.), make a list of what still needs to be packed and put it right next to your bag so you don't forget!

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I hope this post helps you a bit with being prepared while you're on the go! 

If you have any other bag packing tips, be sure to post them in the comments!

Stay tuned for the next OML post where I'll be talking about email and electronic calendars!

Previous Organize My Life Posts: School Work Organization | Erin Condren Life Planner 6 Month Update