I got the idea for this post while listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Hurry Slowly. The episode was exploring the ways in which smart phones have changed our lives, including the things we carry with us on a day to day basis. It mentioned that years ago there was a trend on Flickr where people posted pictures of the things they carried in their bags.
Naturally, I hightailed it over to Flickr to check it out and indeed, there are a lot of pictures of peoples stuff. These photos got me thinking about the beginning of one of my favorite books, The Things They Carried, and how the author detailed the important items his fellow soldiers carried with them during the Vietnam War. I liked looking at what books these strangers were reading. I wondered what kinds of things they were writing in their notebooks, what pictures were on their cameras and why did they own so much Hello Kitty stuff?! And then I wondered what would be in their bag now? Would they still carry a camera or day planner or a book? Or would their phone now carry these items?
A few years back (2014 to be exact), in a fit of pique, I dumped the contents of my bag on my bed, took a picture of it and posted it to Instagram. I was annoyed with the fashion bloggers who would post ridiculous pictures of macaroons and a billion lipsticks (that just happened to match the macaroons) spilling out of their bags.
Here’s the picture and original caption:
Fashion bloggers would have you believe that they nothing but macaroons and pretty lipsticks in their bags. This is closer to the truth. Two weeks worth of mail, shoes, multiple sets of ear phones……and a cat. #thisiswhyicantfindmykeys #ormycoatcheckclaimticket #wtfisinmybag #chicagogirl #ineedabiggerbag #orasmallerone
What that picture really says about my life at the time:
- Two weeks worth of mail – I worked a lot and spent next to no time at home. I would remember to pick up my mail on my way to work in the mornings, but never took it out of my bag at night.
- The heels were in my bag because I wore trainers to work and then put my heels on when I got to the office. Walking to and from public transportation added up to about 2 miles each day so the trainers were far more practical. Also, it was rare that I would get a seat on the bus or train so add in another 30 minutes of just standing.
- The Blackberry was how I stayed in contact with work outside the office. I carried it in addition to my phone.
- The earphones were so I could listen to music during my commute.
- The two bags of makeup were in my bag because I would shower quickly in the mornings and run out the door with wet hair and sans makeup. I took my makeup with me to do either at work or before I would go to whatever event I had in the evening (like the ballet, hence the Swan Lake playbill).
This is what I carry with me now:
- Journal
- Writer’s Notebook
- Planner
- Keys to my condo
- Makeup remover
- Earphones
- iPhone
- Wallet
My life has clearly slowed down considerably since 2014. I spend a lot more time writing. I put my makeup on BEFORE I go to work, which requires the makeup remover since it’s usually smeared under my eyes by 10:00 AM. I still take public transportation to work and walk several miles a day, but I’ve learned to leave the heels at the office instead of carting them with me each day.
What do you carry with you and why? Post a picture of what’s in your bag in the comments.