Many of you already know I rely on crossbodies to keep my hands free on crutch(es), but I struggle to keep these bags light enough to last a full day without shoulder pain. Wallet, phone, keys, tissues, mask, lipstick, dog bags, cash including coins plus whatever random crap I stuff in there "for now". Example: yesterday I got a passport photo taken as the post office. During downtime, I fumbled around in the bag just to use the time to clear it out. Came upon 2 items at the bottom that felt like small stress balls, which I know I do not carry. What were they - ripe cherry tomatoes from my garden that I had placed there because my harvest basket was not to hand.
I recently took advantage of a big sale at Kipling to add some colors to my collection, and now am developing a disciplined system for keeping the weight low.
A new favorite steel-blue and black Kipling Chilly Up had recently become a heavy catchall, so here's what I did.
1. I use a small coin purse borrowed from another bag but I tend to dump change in there and never use it because digging through it at cash register is slow (ICYMI, multiple cc hackings have led me to pay more cash around town.) I realized in the US, one never needs to have more than 4 pennies, a nickel, couple dimes, and three quarters to cover any situation. Created a change jar for apartment and removed every other coin. My commitment is to take 10 seconds per night and set the little purse back to minimal.
2. Removed every other item and replaced with only these essentials:
a. wallet
b. phone
c. keys
d. tissues
e. 1 clean mask
f. 1 dog waste bag
g. 1 lipstick du jour
h. cash: the coin purse described above, plus the Chilly Air has 2 front pouches that hold bills: large bills neatly folded in size order
on left, 1s and 5s neatly on right.
i. I am lazy about coupons so we have been wasting a lot of
drug chain cash back and can/bottle redemptions. These got neatly folded inside the one interior zipper compartment.
Prior typical scenarios: on a windy street downtown, I open my bag and cash bursts out while my son runs after the paper, scolding. Or I stand at checkout counter digging for exact change and delaying the shoppers after me, the clerk, and myself.
Aspirational future scenario: whatever the setting, I open my bag and reach inside without even needing to look, because I know exactly what's inside at all times and can deftly find it and remove without creating a bursting-out onto the floor of other items.
I'll let you know if I become that person, and I hope you are inspired to join me! Keep us posted.
