I don’t know about you, but I find the contents of someone else’s bag fascinating.

You can ascertain so much about a person—their habits, interests and perhaps even their mental state—by examining what they choose to lug around with them every day.

I have several year-round staples that you’ll always find in my bag, regardless of its size or what I have planned. These include the obvious things—my keys, phone and sunglasses. I’m quite light-sensitive, so I wear sunglasses throughout the year.

Along with those, I carry my personal-care pouch, Kindle, headphones, Loop earplugs, a snack, peppermint tea bags and vape supplies.

My Year-Round Staples

My Little Personal-Care Pouch

I carry a small pouch containing hand sanitiser, moisturising cream, tinted lip balm, SPF face moisturiser, tissues, wet wipes, perfume and a hair clip or bobble.

While I don’t wear makeup from day to day, I don’t enjoy chapped lips, dry hands or feeling grimy. This little collection takes care of most minor discomforts.

My Kindle

My Kindle goes almost everywhere with me.

I like to keep several books downloaded at once. There is generally a classic novel—I’m currently working my way through the Russian classics—along with something non-fiction about human behaviour or wellbeing.

You’ll often find a romantasy book on there too, usually something included with Kindle Unlimited for when the classics become a little heavy.

Headphones

I like music. Enough said.

Loop Earplugs

I keep my Loop earplugs with me most of the time.

I don’t need them as frequently as I once did, but they’re extremely useful when there is a great deal of noise—particularly when much of that noise is coming from little people.

Emergency Trail Mix

I usually carry a snack-sized portion of trail mix.

I try very hard not to eat desserts because, thanks to my sugar addiction, eating something sweet generally makes me crave more rather than satisfying me.

A little bag of trail mix is particularly useful when I find myself at a children’s party during my usual mealtime and the only available food is cake or chocolate.

Peppermint Tea Bags

This may seem like an odd one, but I also carry a couple of peppermint tea bags.

I live in the UK, where it is customary to be offered a hot drink several times during even a brief visit to someone’s house. As I don’t drink caffeine—and people don’t always keep decaffeinated coffee or herbal tea—I bring my own so I can still participate in the social necessity of consuming a hot beverage.

My Vape Supplies

I carry vape pods and spare batteries.

I know, I know—it’s a bad habit. My nicotine addiction is strong, though, and at least it isn’t cigarettes. I also still carry a lighter out of habit, despite rarely having any practical reason to use it.

For Longer Days Out

When I’m going to be away from home for longer, a few additional items join the collection.

A Mini First-Aid Kit

I carry a miniature first-aid kit because you simply never know.

Along with sterile wipes and plasters, it contains basic painkillers, antihistamines, Gaviscon and Calpol. Blister plasters are in there too for long hikes and glass cleaner wipes for my son’s glasses.

I very rarely need to open it, but knowing it’s there soothes me.

A Mini Swiss Army Knife

My miniature Swiss Army knife gets used surprisingly often.

It’s tiny and contains scissors, a knife, tweezers and, for some reason, a toothpick. It takes up almost no space, yet there are a remarkable number of occasions when it proves useful.

Naturally, I leave it at home when I’m flying or attending a ticketed event with security restrictions.

My Scarf

I’m sure I’ve mentioned elsewhere that I run cold, so I like having a scarf available just in case.

It also has a second, equally important purpose: providing some much-needed cushioning on hard benches and various other uncomfortable surfaces.

A Water Bottle

As a child, we never carried water bottles. I don’t really remember them being a thing.

These days, however, hydration is key, so I carry a small water bottle when I’m going to be out for a while.

A Foldable Shopping Bag

I also add a foldable shopping tote.

It’s better than repeatedly buying plastic bags, and paying 40p for something I’m unlikely to use again feels like an unnecessary waste of money.

When I’m Out With My Son

If my son is with me, I’ll also carry snacks for him, a pack of UNO or Scopa cards, a small toy and his sun cream.

Depending on where we’re going and what we’re doing, I may pack a change of clothes too.

Seasonal Additions

The contents of my bag also change slightly with the weather.

During summer, I’ll often carry a hand fan, cooling spray and sun cream. I’ll usually add a thin linen or cotton shirt for sun protection—and for later, when the temperature inevitably drops and I become cold again.

During winter, I’ll carry a hat and gloves in case my original outfit proves less warm than anticipated.

I’m Not a Minimalist

I often fantasise about becoming the sort of minimal woman who leaves the house carrying only her phone and keys. My back would certainly thank me.

Unfortunately, I’m not that woman.

I like feeling prepared for most eventualities, whether those eventualities are realistic or not. More than that, I think I enjoy carrying a little of the comfort and security of home with me wherever I go.

Is this an excessive amount to carry every day—or do you carry even more?