To think that it isn't insane to have a 'just in case' bag?

[WeeOrcadian]

DH thinks I'm being overly cautious with this, I don't. So I thought I'd get the opinion of the hive mind.

I'm very forgetful and often get stressed if I haven't got something I need - even basics, like lip balm. It makes me feel even more unorganised than I already am.

It's a pencil case, so isn't huge, but it contains lots of essentials and some not essential items.

I have suspected ND (currently undergoing investigation) and I saw someone online had made one. Boom. Brilliant idea.

I tend to take it with me to work, just in case, hence the name of it!

Thoughts?

I do have a grab and go hospital bag, those who regretted not having one will understand why!

As for the handbag stuff, well I have a little box like a miniature tea chest on the stand in the hall. It has all the bits and bobs in there similar to those mentioned above, tissues, lipstick/balm, mints, etc. I just take what I think I need and go. I put the stuff back when I get in (had to train myself to do that!) so it works for me. This stuff is all spares BTW.

The one thing that foxed me for a long time was leaving the house before the time for my (critical really) meds and freaking out that I wouldn't have taken them at the right time. Doh! I have had some panics in the past and often had to turn around and come home to get them. I tried putting the tabs in a little contact lens case, but I'd forget that! I figured that I'd need to put the spare tabs along with something that I HAVE to take with me every time I go out. I found a key ring on Amazon that has a cylinder that opens and I now put the spare tabs in there. What a difference that has made to my panics!

I'm sorted now.

There was a thread a while back where someone was putting these together as gifts for relatives. I meant to do 2, one for the car and one for my bag but completely forgot. Thank you OP! I'm forever needing hair bobbles, bobby pins, lip balm etc. I'm so disorganised.

@mrsmiawallace3 How are you not stone cold dead from the fright! I'm shaking even reading that. How did he get in?

If it all fits in a pencil case it’s not doing any harm.

I don’t have a kit that but every handbag I’ve used for at least the last 15 years has contained hand cream, lip balm, paracetamol, chewing gum, tampons, tissues, wet wipes, plasters, hand sanitizer (from before covid) a biro, a tiny notebook and pound coins for parking.

Hilarious. I'm apologising just in case I offended you saying that.

I think it makes sense. In the car I keep a bag with a sewing kit, torch, extra batteries, travel toothbrushes/toothpaste, first aid kit, hairbrush, wet wipes, deodorant, salvon, suncream, bottled water, screwdriver, pliers, big heavy novel (currently War & Peace), note book, pens, charging cable, spare underwear and socks, a pack of cards, chewing gum, tin of hardboiled sweets, plastic cutlery, travel chess set and so on.

It lives in the under tray in the boot and has come in handy many times.

All my handbags also hold tampons, pain killers, plasters, antiseptic wipes, notebook, pen, small hairbrush, mirror, chewing gum, mini sewing kit, hair bands, £10 in a separate purse, sunglasses, tissues and dental floss.

I love bags with lots of pockets.

I used to have a drawer like this at work with a toothbrush, trousers etc because I had to get a crazily early train

Sounds like the bottom of my daily handbag really

No offence taken Havlona!

Also, word to the wise: if, like I was, you are now struggling for somewhere to keep your pencils, I can recommend this wonderful bag I found in M&S.
It's roomy enough for all my colours, plus a full range of 6H to 6B, compass, protractor and 15cm ruler plus it has a little zipped pocket inside which is just made for my rubber and sharpener.
Looks rather snazzy too, if I do say so myself, I take it everywhere I go and am thinking of getting another one for just in case:

www.marksandspencer.com/faux-shearling-chain-strap-shoulder-bag/p/clp60694740?color=CREAM#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r5c1|prodflag_New|prodflag_plp_ts_QP_15

I've always had one.

Different contents now I don't need plasters and savlon for the kids

Just a small make-up bag that I put in whatever bag I'm using

It's not really a 'just in case' though. It's useful things you might need and very sensible.

I carry paracetamol, plasters, tick remover and a small swiss army knife pretty much all of the time and it all comes in handy often.

Similarly my toiletry bag for going away has immodium, tooth picks, lip balm, antihistamines etc. I don't want to pack it all every time so it just lives in there and I add more every day bits.

🤣 if ever this scenario occurs I will be sure to let you know 👍

I call mine a “get lucky” bag 😀.

It makes complete sense to have one. I’m the person to ask for random objects like safety pins.
Mine is a double-sided pencil case. Toiletries and aspirin on one side, screwdriver “pen”, tiny sewing kit and 3-point pen (blue, red and pencil) on the other.

I want one of those credit card sized multi tools next.

Havalona - even as I wrote that I thought : 'They will probably all think I've just made that up'! But I didn't, and it happened, and I survived. Stupidly forgot to lock the front door. Had I not had two handbags though, he might well have made off in my lovely new Mercedes. The Garda inspector personally phoned me to commend me on my bravery and quick thinking. 😅Since then however, I simply can't stop talking about it to family, friends, the postman etc. I also declined an invitation to go to court to see him sentenced.

Yanbu
I carry round to this day a small wash bag with any mini essentials in it I may need if staying somewhere overnight. Got a big handbag and at the moment have a baby in a pram so gave her changing bag too so it's no faff to carry about.
There is nothing worse than having to suddenly stay somewhere overnight or being stranded somewhere and you haven't got the things you need.
You never know what's going to happen in life.

I think you're very organised to have the bag, because I'd forget it too! I have lip balm in every coat pocket and bag. I never need to remember it then. And I have a few sets of (cheap) earbuds so I (almost) always have a pair I can find that are also charged.

This makes complete sense if you suspect ND. I have created one for my son and it helps him a lot. (Personally I’m entirely disorganised, and can live happily enough like this, but everyone is different and needs to do what it right for them). Your DH sounds rather unempathetic - I hope he doesn’t belittle your inoffensive choices in other areas.

Shall I tell you a secret about being an adult? You can do whatever you like!

It's got absolutely nothing to do with your DH what you carry and why! If it's not illegal or affecting him (e.g. asking him to carry it) then you can do whatever you like.

For years, I've always kept my wash bag full - toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, soap, facial cleanser and cotton pads, moisturiser etc. It's in case there's an unexpected hospital trip, or a family emergency. But it's also really handy having it all packed and ready for when we go away. My great aunt always had a 'hospital case' packed, so perhaps being prepared is genetic....

At this time of year I also keep a sleeping bag, small cushion and waterproof poncho in the car.

I live quite rurally and if the car breaks down it's easy to get cold or wet.

Brilliant idea. I am also neurodivergent and felt very happy when one mum came up to me and said her son had grazed his knee and she knew I was the organised one and might have wipes, plasters savlon - which I did! I am so disorganised due to ND but when DC were small I made sure I had a just in case bag so they were never left hungry or in dirty nappies or wet clothes, or cold if the weather turned. The bag was the size of a small slim handbag but Mary Poppins inside.

Now I have a very small over crossover bag. It still fits keys, purse, phone, tissues, lip balm, lipstick, inhaler, meds, breath mints, a tiny notebook and pen, fold up hairbrush, handcream, plasters, lens wipes, eye drops, tiny vial of scent. And more. It seems the smaller the bag, the more it holds, so I love your pencil case idea.

I have one too, due to a horrible emergency stay where I had NOTHING and nobody to bring me anything. Spent time before the op in jeans and a hoodie in bed, no teeth brushing, nothing to get a wash after vomiting, sweating etc.

I've also got silica bags in it to keep everything fresh, because my health is fine and I really don't need it. However if I ever do... Also I specifically bought a different coloured bag than any of my others, so if I have to send someone to get it, no mistakes can be made 😅

It sounds like just a normal thing to do and something most people have in their bags

Thoughts?

It's called a handbag. They're really popular. Saves you keep dropping things, especially if you don't have hands the size of shovels.