Are you a pack rat and proud?

[packratandproud]

I've just opened my backpack at work to get my notebook out and my colleague has just said " oh have you been staying away from home?"
It was just the usual stuff I carry around every day! I have really tried to be a small crossbody bag person but I just feel miserable never having what I want. I spend long days in cities- often leaving home at 6am and not getting home until 10pm and nothing gives me more joy than being in a coffee shop between events, and having my book, my notebook, my wrap if im a bit cold, my toothbrush, my makeup etc etc
Are you an 'everything but the kitchen sink' carrier? If yes do you love it?
I like it, but my bag is very heavy 😀

No, when I was a kid my mum had her bag snatched with money, cheque book, car keys, house keys, no mobile phone in those days but everything else! I’ve always thought handbags a stupid idea ever since - “please steal everything of value I’ve got with me”

I like a coat with pockets, or in the summer I utilise DH’s pockets! But I WFH, so might think differently if I had to cart a laptop and stuff about.

I don't carry loads, but I drive mostly, so have back-up stuff in the car. I do frequently have my laptop with me though, because I have to work while I'm out so that includes chargers, headphones etc. As well as snacks, drinks for kiddos.

16 hours out of the house would of course necessitate having a load of stuff with you, it's completely different to popping out for an hour or two. Almost like camping but just sleeping at home.

I have a backpack known as my lucky back pack.
Not much in it only what I need lol.

Charger cards passport sanitary pads tin of vaseline, pen, reusable coffee cup, extra lighter emergency box of fags mini first aid kit,
Mini bottle of moisturiser bottle of deodorant
, mini perfume, fold up hair brush, crunchie, emergency £40 in cash, glasses, keyring spork, vics nose stick, a sad old Mills and boon book, 2x 3 in 1 coffee sachets and a small umbrella.
Everything is small and compact.

And to top it of a teddy that sits in the side pocket hes called Mr Robert de Nero.
Like hes legs are through the side pockets.

Pics on request 😆.

If I was going out for the day I would just take my phone, keys and card in my pockets. I can't see any reason why I would need anything else.

See if I'm going out for the day I need

Coffee for the train
Book
Magazine
My diary
My notebook/ sketchbook
Pencil case
headphones
ipad (if i will be doing some work/ creative stuff)

Then all my normal stuff (mini versions)
hairbrush
tissues
lipbalm
tablets
scarf (more like a pashmina)
wetwipes
toothbrush and paste
make up
perfume

then purse, phone. charger. keys

I like to know that if I am meeting a friend and they are late, I can read a chapter of my book/ write something while I wait

What on earth are you doing that you need all of that? It sounds absolutely bonkers to me to be carting all that around everyday.

I would just read on my phone if I was stuck waiting around. My airpods are attached to my keys so they're not something extra to carry. If I wanted a coffee or a snack I would just buy one.

I said what on earth I am doing!

I am a city dweller out for hours every day - and i want to be able to use what I need - I dont buy coffee as my station doesnt have coffee available at the time i get on the train. I sometimes buy snacks but finances and health/ calories mean this is not always possible- so easier to take my own stuff

Each to their own, I guess. I just can't imagine ever needing to carry around all that stuff with me.

Bag lady here 🙋‍♀️ I have a work bag, lunch bag, swim bag, gym bag, mini rucksack that's a day to day bag, overnight bag, wash bag, toiletries case and weekend bag... It means I know where everything is (in theory!) so should spend less time faffing (in an attempt to get put the door on time / faff less) but my multi-bag method often means I am carrying multiple bags to/ from the car!

I'm a proud packrat if I have to go out. I have always carried a huge bag with everything in it I might possibly want. I currently have a tapemeasure AND a screwdriver in there. The tape measure I've used frequently, the screwdriver I haven't, and I can't actually remember why I originally put it in there.

Across the body bag here and I just buy what I might want. I could never wear a backpack, not sure why but they give me the ick 😂

A crossbody gives me the ick , I feel so frumpy when wearing it

I carry my life with me everywhere. I am envious of the small bag crew. They always seem cooler than me!!

😂

I have big boobs so cross bodies make me feel so frumpy and busty!

I carry a mini screwdriver all the time in case the arm screws on my glasses comes loose, it did it once and i nearly lost the arm screw so now im prepared!

Yep.

I take a back pack to work. Going out if I have a coat I just use pockets in no coat then a small cross body. Different bags for different occasions!

I try to travel as light as possible. My daily work backpack only contains my laptop, my book, my phone, my lunch box and my dog's stuff (he comes with me to the office)
And my house keys, a lipbalm + a wipe to clean my spectacles in my jacket's pocket.

Unless I go to the gym, I never carry a bottle of water with me, we have running water in the office.

I do one extreme or the other.

I cannot understand the point of piddly little handbags.

I either have nothing except phone and keys, or I'm lugging around a massive sack containing every possible permutation of crap I could possibly need in a zombie apocalypse.

I'm like you OP, and well known for taking crazy amounts of stuff with me! I often have funny reactions at venue bag checks, and as you can imagine it caused quite a stir once when I was arrested and all my belongings had to be logged individually 😅
I sometimes take 3 books with me in case I finish one and then want a choice. I also need plenty of food and drink just in case. You never know what may happen!
On the plus side I usually have a pen, painkillers, hand gel, spare pants, spare snacks etc so if you're with me and you need something I can often help.

It may not surprise you to hear I'm autistic. I feel more comfortable with my supplies to hand and genuinely don't know how people go out for the day with just a purse and phone... Or sometimes just a phone. I admire them but it's not for me!

I think we go through phases don't we when kids were wee never went anywhere without a bag for them plus a handbag and a work bag if I was going to work. I'm a mixture sometimes i fit everything into a big bag other times I'm leaving the house with a large handbag with work stuff in, a handbag with purse keys phone etc in and then a lunch satchel

I have a black Tommy Hilfiger leather backpack for my every day bag. It’s big enough for purse, phone, kindle, lip balm, hand cream and headphones and usually some sort of fidget toys or army figures 🙄 Small Vivienne Westwood cross body for going ‘out out’ which just fits my phone and lip gloss.

I HATE lugging bagfuls of stuff around. I'd love to be someone who travels light every day, but I just don't know how.

If I'm doing something as simple as going to work and then the gym, I need my handbag (keys, phone, travel cards, meds), my laptop bag, and my gym bag. God forbid I need an umbrella or want to pick up some shopping on the way home. I feel like the only person in the tube carriage with tonnes of stuff dangling off me, though... I'd love to know how other people do it.

They work in different jobs or wfh and don’t go to gym straight from other places. I think your way is sensible and saves time.