There is no doubt. Our lives have become super fast paced and the demands of the day force most of us to be out of the home for many hours non-end. So, it is no surprise that our purses have become more like a luggage carrying far more than our essentials, rather than accessories that complement our appearances and style. From lip glosses and blushers to business cards, receipts from last year, and a bottle of Xanax, it seems that there is room in that purse for a lot of stuff. But, do we REALLY need it all? If you are also guilty of carrying much more than you actually need and feel it’s time to clean out and organise your purse, here are some handy tips to get you back on track!
But, before that let’s talk about…
Bag Weight & Health Considerations
First of all, we should note that doctors suggest your purse should ideally weight up to three pounds. The upper limit of the weight you can carry every day is no more than 10% of your body weight. This means that if you are, say, 130 pounds, you can carry a max of 13 pounds to maintain optimal health. So, if you are around 130 pounds, you can carry your keys, wallet, iPhone, makeup bag, MacBook, and planner in a 5lbs bag or all that plus a small bottle of water, your sunglasses, and a small book or your Kindle if you carry a 1.2 lbs purse.
Of course, with bags bigger than ever and the new hardware trend, you may think they must be dreaming. Or are they not? Let’s see how you can organise your purse and make it more practical for your daily endeavours (and health-promoting).
1. De-Junk Bi-Weekly
Yes, the modern lifestyle wants us to be more mobile and, truth be told, the lines between personal and work have become very blurry, affecting how much stuff we carry. However, with a weekly or bi-weekly de-junk process you can make sure you are not left with expired coupons, gum wrappers, a half-empty water bottle from the gym 2 weeks ago, and crumbs, to name just a few.
Categorise the items in your purse and throw away anything that qualifies as trash. The whole point is to be able to pack and repack your purse in less than 10 minutes. So, make a list of the items in your bag that are considered accessories (sunglasses, lip stick, etc.), essentials (wallet, keys, cell phone), and “emergency” items (umbrella, evening accessories – just in case).
What to do with all the change: Put singles and quarters in a nice coin purse and keep it in your car, for when you will need to pay for a parking meter or laundry.
2. Ditch the “Emergency” Items
Whatever you carry just in case something happens should be kept outside your purse. The idea is to try to put as few options in your purse as possible to avoid carrying stuff that slow you down and make you feel more tired than you should have been. Now, if you can’t live with the idea of not having your favourite sun cream or an umbrella with you, try to avoid full-size stuff. Instead, buy the lightest versions (i.e. travel size) of these items if possible. Downsizing will make the contents of your purse way lighter.
3. Have a Transient Handbag
Chiropractic physicians advice to distribute the weight between two shoulders and….two bags. Before you ditch the idea, think about it for a second. Having a short-term bag is a good option if you take work home. In this case, you can put all your daily essentials in your purse and keep your work-related items into a second bag. A transient bag is not only handy for those hitting the gym or running errands. Carrying one is a clever way to get your hands on your work items in an instance when you go back to the office, instead of searching for them among other stuff.
Also, this two-bag idea will help prevent future damage to your spine. But, if you don’t fancy that idea, switching up your bag every 30 minutes, at least, is the next best thing you can do for your health. At first, it might feel bizarre, but it will save you tons of back and neck pain; not to mention migraines and issues from reduced circulation along your arm, doctors say.
4. Know What to Look For When Buying a Purse
Shopping for a new bag or purse is not to be taken lightheartedly. Experts advise to seek light bags without excessive hardware that will bog you down. It is also crucial to avoid purses with wide bottoms and small, narrow openings. You know, those that divide the interior space in half. They are very unpractical, and their particular design does not allow you to organise your bag the way open interiors do. If you are after a designer bag, watch our for the many fakes out there. Finally, do buy a bag with generous pockets along its lining.
5. Keep Everything Neat with a Purse Organiser
There are thousands of purse organisers in the market right now, in all different patterns, sizes, and, of course, price ranges. Buying one is a time-saving option that will help you keep things organised in your purse and allow you to change purses if necessary in a heartbeat. Many women favour the idea of having things in pouches than carrying a bag with a lot of internal compartments. This is because they can easily swap bags by simply switching the items they keep in pouches from bag to bag. However, it’s up to you. Just find the purse that best suits your personality and style and then organise it according to the demands of your day.
Final Tips:
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To avoid losing your phone in your purse, consider purchasing a bag with a separate, outside pocket for your cell phone. That way, you avoid the stress and frustration when the cell phone rings, and you just can’t find it amidst all the other things you carry in your purse.
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Cleaning your purse once in 2 weeks or monthly is essential to get rid of several kinds of bacteria that live there. Researchers have found bacteria like Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus in mens’ and women’s purses and wallets. So either invest in a leather purse (less bacteria are found to grow in leather purses vs. synthetic) or clean your bag, at least, once a month. Of course, you should also clean a leather bag, only less frequently than a fabric one.
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If your purse has a dark lining, you can keep everything neat and clean by putting a lighter fabric inside it. It will not only help keep your purse clean but also make it easier for you to find things in your bag. Alternatively, you could group things together or buy purse organisers to keep all your necessities easily accessible (see above).
That’s it! Not so difficult to have a super organised purse after all, right? How do you keep your purse organised and neat? Do you have any other handy tips to share? We look forward to your comments below!
