Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
Purse Problems
I’m not talking about which clutch to carry to the holiday party this weekend, and I’m not talking about how many you have (too many, I know you know that already). No, what I want to talk about is what’s in your purse and how to organize that stuff so that when you switch from the Birkin to the Ferragamo (or in my case, from the Marshalls to the Filene’s), you don’t leave anything out.
The most efficient thing is to keep the purse-changing to a minimum. While that’s how I try to roll, I find it a little sad, and I worry that really comfortable shoes are next. But if you routinely switch everything from one bag to another, here are some tips:
- Containers within Containers. In one of my very first newsletters, I wrote about having everything in my bag “contained.” When I came home, I could drop my purse and head back out to the playground with my son and the diaper bag, and I only had to move my wallet and one pouch that held my chap stick, gum, and a hair tie. No need to root around in my handbag: I knew that everything I’d need in a few hours at the playground would be there. It’s much easier to move one mesh pouch with all your necessities’ than transfer a bunch of loose items—and risk forgetting something crucial.
- Staging area. For a client who changes bags every day, (she has gorgeous bags, so why shouldn’t she?) we needed to set up a spot for the contents of her bag so she could develop the habit of returning her bag to her closet at the end of the day. We cleared a half a drawer to stash her wallet and keys, her checkbook since she often takes it with her, and small packs of Kleenex, gum and mints—things she likes to have handy in her handbag.
- Nightly Dump. If you don’t switch bags every day, it might not seem necessary to dump everything each night. But our handbags are clutter magnets. Used tissues, unused Starbucks napkins, receipts, protein bars… Spend five minutes every night getting rid of the detritus that grew over the course of the day. Your bag will stay nicer, longer, and you won’t be afraid to dig down to the bottom when you drop an earring in there.
- Change! It’s shocking sometimes how much loose change is at the bottom of peoples’ purses. The frugal girl in me thinks, You know you can buy stuff with change, right? And my inner chiropractor is worried for your back. Try to resist the urge to just toss it into the depths. Keep it in your wallet or a change purse, and dump it in a jar every night until someone can get it to the bank.
- Dedication. I usually preach against duplicates, but having duplicates for your handbag is the exception that proves the rule. Unless you are a true minimalist who carries her makeup from the bathroom mirror to her purse, you may want to have two of your favorite lip color—one for your vanity and one for your bag. Ditto for hand lotion. I also have a pen and a notebook that stay in my bag, so I’m never caught without a way to jot down an idea for a newsletter, even if I’m on the subway.
The goal of any system is to eliminate stress and mistakes by creating a specific way to do something. I always feel better when I can create a system, no matter how small, that makes me feel like I’ve reduced even a tiny amount of annoyance or stress. Walking out of the house without a package of tissues might seem minor—and it is—but it’s also easy to ensure it doesn’t happen.
I can’t stop the subway from breaking down and making me late, but as long as I have my trusty pen and notebook, I can always occupy myself and stay productive, and that’s a beautiful thing.