Ever wonder what’s the best way to organize your bag? Do you struggle with having a bag that is crowded, or one in which everything falls to the bottom? This is a common struggle. When we have to dig through a bag in order to find what we need we both waste time and get frustrated. If this sounds familiar, here are a few ideas for how to bring order to your bag.
FIRST: Select one bag that will be your “regular” bag.
I know it can be fun to switch handbags, and if you enjoy this process without issue, by all means carry on. However, if you are struggling, you might want to stick to one bag, especially for “daily use.” When we switch bags, we are more likely to leave something important in another bag. Also, because bags have different shapes and sizes, it is harder to establish a reliable system for what goes where when we use different bags. To make life simpler, select a bag that will accommodate everything you need. If the bag you choose already has items inside, dump them out, and shake the bag upside down over a trash can so you can start fresh.
SECOND: Identify what you always want to have in your bag.
Assemble all the items that you know you definitely want with you every time you go out. Examples of these “must haves” include:
- Keys
- Wallet
- Glasses/sunglasses
- Mask
- Phone
- Lip Balm
Other common items that people carry include:
- Medications
- Hand sanitizer
- Vaccination card/ID card
- Hand lotion
- Mints/gum/cough drops
- Dental floss
- Pen(s)
- Notepad
- Feminine protection
- Cosmetics
- Nail file/nail clippers
- Tissues
- Hairbrush/comb/hair elastics
- Pocket knife/multi-tool
- Instant stain remover
Depending on your particular situation (business worker, student, parent on the go, etc.), you might also want to have:
- Business cards
- Electronics, charging cords, earphones
- Portable battery charger
- Thumb drive
- Water bottle
- Band-aids™
- Snacks
- Diapers & Wipes
- Sunscreen
- Reusable fold-up bag
THIRD: Establish locations inside the bag for specific items.
Begin by considering the built-in compartments that are in your bag. For instance:
- What will live in the outside pocket(s)?
- How about the zippered pocket on the inside?
- Are there pockets or pouches that are well-sized for specific belongings?
- Is there a space ring or carabiner for your keys?
Resist the temptation to simply stash items back into your bag. Mindfully choose what will live where.
Bags often have large, unstructured areas that are not ideal for carrying small items in an organized way. Tiny objects tossed loosely into a gaping bag fall to the bottom and get lost. Additionally, fragile items can get damaged if not properly protected. This is true for any large storage space into which we try and place small items, such as a car console, deep drawer or wide shelf. However, if your bag lacks sufficient internal structure, you can add some of your own.
There are a couple of ways to add structure to a bag:
- Use small pouches to hold like items together, such as cosmetics, writing implements, adapters, cords, and personal care supplies.
- Add an insert to your bag that has built-in pockets and storage spaces.
- Obtain containers that are specifically designed to keep fragile items, such as glasses and electronics, safe.
Need a little visual inspiration? Here are a few examples of products that work well for keeping items organized and protected in bags.
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Naturally, the types of structure that will work best depends upon what you want to carry with you.
Additionally, you may want to set up multiple bags for different types of activities. For example, a backpack for school, a briefcase for the office, a gym bag, a beach bag, etc. These same ideas can be applied to any type of container.
How do you keep your bag organized?
Oh I love an organized bag! It is all about compartmentalizing and using compartments you love.
The more compartments in my bag, the better!
I also love an organized bag. When I’m on the hunt for a new bag, I look for ones that have compartments and places that I know I can easily retrieve my things.
Diane N Quintana recently posted…The Best Way to Conscientiously Organize Your Stuff
Me too, Diane. A client found a bag for her art class that has more compartments than I’ve ever seen. It is awesome!!
I love an organized bag! Remember the Butler Bags that had the wonderful compartments at the bottom of the bag to hold items? When I finally had to let that bag go, I cut out the bottom and bought a new purse that would hold that cut out bit in the bottom 😉
Jonda Beattie recently posted…Get Magical Results by Releasing and Repurposing
I do remember these bags, and I love that you rescued the structure to reuse in other bags. I think the manufacturers would love this story!!
It’s so funny because pre-pandemic I carried a large tote bag with all kinds of things. I used a compartment-style organizing insert plus a few pouches to give each item a “home” and make them easily findable. My test is if I can find it without looking (find it by ‘feel,’) then I know it’s a good system.
Post pandemic, I only carry a tiny over the shoulder bag. It doesn’t hold much except for the essentials. It’s great for being out and about. For travel or farther excursions, I put that bag inside a larger bag or backpack. Then I add pouches to store the additional items.
The pandemic gave us fresh insight in SO MANY WAYS, right? I think I carry much less now than I used to, partly because I don’t want the weight on my shoulder.
I have that same rule about finding things in my center car console. I want to be able to reach in and get what I need while keeping my eyes on the road!
Hi Seana,
I love a really simple bag. I don’t have a lot I have to carry but I understand that others might have to which can be a little more challenging. My purse holds my wallet, lip gloss, phone, mask and keys. I love a small purse but sometimes it does get full. (sometimes my partner is asking me to put things in there ugh) I always think it is good to clean out my purse of receipts and old masks. It is good to have your money ordered in order to expect more to come in and never put your purse on the floor. A little Feng Shui reference.
Kim recently posted…What Can You Do in Ten Minutes?
Agreed on the purse on the floor, if you can avoid it. I find I am carrying less and less the older I get. Getting the old masks out is a good tip!
Great list of stuff to organize the purse, Seana! I bought one of these purse organizers. If I repurchase this, I will make sure it is sturdy on the sides because when I toss the wallet into the organizer, the sides press down, resulting in a mess of things in the center.
Sabrina Quairoli recently posted…15 Unique Things to Toss Right Now for a Stress Free Bathroom
Good thing to look for. An organizer should be sturdy enough not to slouch over!
I used to always get fascinated by those fashion and/or gossip magazines having “what’s in my bag” segments. Very cool! The waterproof pouches are key for me these days. And the vaccination/health insurance cards for ME, and at least three of my kids.
I always like to have a few “just in case” things, like Ibuprofen, shelf stable snacks, gum/mints, anxiety spray..
Tamara recently posted…St Patrick’s Day Lucky Charm Cupcakes
Waterproof pouches with kids for sure. A pair of disposable gloves isn’t a bad idea when you have little ones either, right?
Great ideas. I definitely got away from using a handbag during the pandemic. I just carry my phone and the credit card I need in my pockets. I leave anything else in my car. which it’s much anyway. I downsized my bags but still have a few. I’m not sure if I’ll ever need them again.
I occasionally use a laptop bag, but I prefer to keep that small too.
I used to carry more than I do now. I remember the days of the diaper bag and so much more. Feels good to not be responsible for carrying what everyone else might need!
My big ah-ha moment was to not have a wallet the same colour as the lining in the bag. A black wallet in a black bag is hard to find. Now I always buy a bright coloured wallet. I use a regular daily purse that has the type of compartments I like. I keep a very small bag in my car to transfer my keys, credit card and phone to when I only need a few things with me for running into a store, going on a walk, in a cinema. I lock my regular bag in the trunk.
That’s a great tip about having a bright wallet in a dark bag. Terrific idea! Mine is kind of light, so it does stand out against my dark bag interiors. Also nice to have a “grab and go” bag in your car. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
That’s a nice selection of organizers for the purse. It’s something many of us don’t think about in the quest to get organized!
Bayou Closets recently posted…Organization Ideas for a Walk-In Closet
That’s so true, we don’t often think about it. And yet, it’s something we touch and use every day, so worth the effort to get it in order!
I like a bag with lots of pockets but also a large open space because when it’s overly structured there’s always something that won’t fit in any of the sections.
Miche Canada makes a line of bags in four sizes and you can buy different shells for them so you can change your bag to match your outfit or activity without unpacking and repacking everything. Very cool!
Janet Barclay recently posted…10 Ten-Minute Tasks to Keep Your Website in Top Shape
I will have to check out Miche Canada! Sounds like a great idea. Change out your bag without actually changing where anything is, right?
Those little cord keepers are so neat! I love organizing my bag, especially when it’s been a while. Clearing out the accumulated change and receipts leaves my bag lighter, and that’s always a plus!
It just feels good to have an organized bag. Bonus points if you can find what you need inside without having to look, right?
I have to have a bag with lots of compartments so that I can assign homes to each category of doo-dad that goes into it. I love how you broke everything down, and you picked great accessories to show up. Gorgeous!
Julie Bestry recently posted…Paper Doll Carries On About Everyday Carry: What’s In Your Bag?
Thanks for the information
Organizing your bag is essential for easy access and efficient daily routines.
Start by decluttering unnecessary items and categorize essentials.
Utilize compartments or small bags to separate items like keys, pens, and cosmetics.
Keep frequently used items easily reachable. Maintaining bag organization saves time and reduces stress on the go.
This is my little contribution.
Victor recently posted…MADE IN ENGLAND BAGS UK