Apart from the number of face products I use, I’ve also been a maximalist in regards to my purse. And by purse I mean tote bag. And by tote bag I mean my life!
I’m definitely one of those women who like to carry everything with her just in case. And just-in-casers can not carry small bags because where would you put that hand lotion, hand sanitizer, extra pads/tampons, pain killers, hair elastics, bobby pins, stamps, band-aids, lip gloss, lip stick, lip balm, powder, blotting papers, loyalty cards, credit cards, debit card, coins, insurance card, I.D., bus pass, old receipts, lucky cat talisman, single small googly-eye, mustache-shaped paperclip, 2 still-pertinent and positive fortunes from fortune cookies … Okay, maybe those last few aren’t universal. But you get what I mean.
I have tried to down-size before. And I was totally inspired by Cath doing it (read how she down-sized her purse here). But somehow (again, like my face products), the fewer things I tried to have, the more I acquired. Math isn’t my strong point, but when has 2 minus 1 equaled 65?!
So I realized just recently that things have gotten out of hand. Why? Do you see those two wallets to the left of the turquoise mini-wallet in the pic above? I was using both of those simultaneously. That’s how much stuff I was carrying. I mean who uses two full-sized wallets day-to-day?
It seemed sane at first. I bought the Michael Kors wallet because my office building has a number of security doors with card beepers. Forget your card and you’re stuck in the 4th floor cafeteria when you have a meeting in the conference room on the 22nd floor. This wallet has a handy wrist band and holds my phone, so I could always have my card and phone and be kinda hands-free too. There are slots for a few other cards so I thought great! No more bulky wallet, I just need a credit card, debit card and my office pass!
But then I had to go to the doctor’s one day and didn’t have my insurance card. And then I realized I needed to carry two credit cards because one of them offers me cash back on groceries (aren’t you so proud, Dad?!). I couldn’t fit everything into my spiffy Michael Kors wallet so I pulled out my much-loved and seven-year-old Marc wallet and added that to my ever expanding tote-that-wishes-it-were-a-purse.
But enough is enough! I’m sure, I have actually used the band-aids and the hand sanitizer in my stash of seemingly ultra-necessary things I carry — but not that often. Maybe once a year. So, I bought this cute little turquoise wallet and am going to see if I can handle at least a smaller wallet and then see if I can graduate to a smaller bag.
I mean, I don’t even own a small purse. All of my purses think they are purses because they are leather and not canvas, but cavernous totes they are. I figure this is safe though. I don’t get a bag unless I can live the lifestyle of the bag.
Something to work toward, but I’ll let you know if this just turns into me carrying three wallets instead!
you crack me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s a conundrum, really.
You asked who uses two full-sized wallets? I have. 😀 Right now I’m down to one full-size wallet, one credit-card wallet, and a coin purse that holds business cards, frequent-buyer cards, etc. (And still, any cash I have gets jammed into my purse willy nilly.)
I feel semi-organized but not streamlined at all. But I’ve accepted that this will likely be as streamlined as I get!
Haha! Aunt Mare, I think it’s genetic. I feel much more comfortable carrying more wallets and I know my mom’s wallet is bursting at the seams. I have stuck with the little turquoise wallet for the last few weeks, but it feels wonderful and also anxiety-producing. I always think I’ll be forgetting some necessary card — though I haven’t yet. I guess this is a weening off period. I’ll let you know if I last!
xoxox,
Lar
Nice post! I used to have only a small cross body bag. However, I know carry a Longchamps tote – the La Pilage Neo large in all black and spent years agonizing over whether to buy it.
I actually like my large tote because out here (SF bay area) it switches from sunny t-shirt/long sleeve weather to I need a fleece and maybe even a light rain jacket super fast. My bag has: my wallet, car keys, headphones, cell phone, and sweater. I really like being able to carry an extra sweater or jacket. Also, if I don’t have a reusable shopping bag, I throw my groceries in the tote.
I recently upgraded/lifestyle shift from the Longchamps to a Timbuk 2 bag in small. This is a big shift as I wanted something that is hands free (messenger bag) and will later double as a diaper bag. (baby on the way) I think this bag is actually slightly smaller but I am really loving it and using it the same as the Longchamps bag.
I like to keep my bags as empty as possible and clean them out a lot. I’m not the go to person for lip balm or band aids, but I think I like carrying less stuff overall. It’s a constant deliberate effort though.
It’s funny you mention your Longchamp, Clare! Cath and I are both using smaller versions at the moment to try our small purse experiment.
Seattle isn’t quite as capricious as SF, but I do always have to have an umbrella with me, so I can’t carry a cute and tiny Celine cross body (knock-off ;D) even if I wanted to.
I also agree with you that it is about being deliberate and clearing out your purse often. With the KonMari Method, I usually clean my purse out daily. It sounds insane, but works surprisingly well!