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 😀

Surely you can understand that not everybody's days/lifestyle/preferences are the same as yours, though?

Nobody is telling you that you have to carry all that stuff - obviously, if you never use hand gel or wear a scarf, don't carry one. But it's not difficult to understand, surely, that not everyone drives, not everyone is only out for 'a few hours' (the OP says she's often out from 6am to 10pm), some people might be working and will therefore be using their phone a lot more than you use yours, etc. Not everyone likes spending money on drinks in coffee shops all the time. Personally I never carry a thermos or a water bottle but it's pretty clear why some people do, isn't it?

As for 'what are you doing that you need a pencil case' - I can't speak for the OP but if I'm out for a whole day I often have a pencil case in my bag, along with a notebook. If I'm out for the day for fun, I often I fancy doing a bit of writing or a couple of little drawings/doodles. If I'm working I'm taking notes by hand and I tend to use several different colours for that because it helps me keep things clear and organised if the notes are clearly differentiated for each meeting/project.

pencil cases are great for carrying stuff that isnt just pencils or pens though, particularly the little things that are likely to disappear in a larger bag - lip balm, tablets, inhaler, small tools like a pry-bar or something, glasses screwdriver in my case, trolley coin, tampons/mooncup, cables, etc etc.

If you get into backpacks, then theres the additional world of pouches :)

I know it is funny when people say "what ON EARTH are you possibly doing taking a book with you" ummmmm....reading? 😂

I hate bloody backpacks.
Why on earth would I want all my usefull stuff to be out the way on my back? They’re so cumbersome it’s like being pregnant but on your back. They make your clothes ruck up, and are not great for the large boobed like me.
The eternal faff of taking it on and off to get stuff, the constant zipping and unzipping, the stupid faffing in the stupid pockets.
I have friends who are backpack people and there have been times when they’re rustling, zipping and scrabbling I want fling their ugly annoying back packs into the bin.
I swear the scrabbling for their purse or phone is a tactic to get me to pay because my purse is easily accessible at my side in my normal useful bag.
The only thing worse than a big backpacks are those ridiculous leather trying to look like a stylish handbag backpacks. They can get in the bin too.

I take a bag to and from work because I have work things in it. I am always in the same workplace and rarely go off site during my day. I have a little bag that lives in the cloakroom at work which has a hairbrush, hand cream, a spare hair scrunchie etc. I don't have the time/opportunity to read a book or go for a coffee during the day.

I like the sound of your bag of stuff and café trips though, OP! I totally get what you mean about the pleasure of being prepared for eventualities and carrying what you need with you, especially if it's in a nice bag!

Now tell us what you really think! 😂😂😂

OP I have just transferred my laptop, small makeup bag and lunch box into my backpack for work. I have one but don’t associate it with work even though it is quite a nice animal print one . I do drive to work though so not actually carrying it far or bumping into people with it but it will mean I am not picking up 3 separate straps. Thank you for the reminder.

Me neither bit between work and an evening event I do!

Yep, I carry a sizable rucksack everyday and look like I'm off for a hike at any moment. On an average day I might have a coffee cup, water bottle, umbrella, packed lunch, trainers and sports clothes, laptop, note book, art supplies for 20 kids, spare shopping bag to pick up groceries on the way home.

I'm often out for 12+hrs at a time. Everywhere I go is en route to somewhere else. If a go to a gig after work, the bag check always raises eyebrows.

Ps, I'm also a regular on the "why am I so unstylish?!" threads. Because I'm a massive tortoise! At least I'm well fed, caffeinated and dry.

She's out for 16 hours out of 24. I'd need a lot of stuff if I was out all that time too.

Fair enough just keys and phone if you're popping out for an hour or 2. OR going to work in an office all day.

But out out, in the city, moving around? Working. Meeting someone. A hour or more commute each way. You need stuff.

I was often out of the house for that length of time in the past - I still never carted half my belongings around with me!

That's you. I'd need my laptop, a book, chargers, make up, hoody, pills, water bottle, snacks (to save costs), phone. Minimum.

There's no way I could spend all the downtime in that day looking at a phone screen.

I'm genuinely interested in this
How did you manage all that time with not much?

Because if I'm out of the house all day I have stuff planned for the majority of that time - so I don't need tons of stuff to keep me amused etc.

I need my phone, card and keys and maybe some painkillers. Otherwise, eh, it's just a waste.

Why would I need to stare at a phone?

There are other options! Listening to music, daydreaming, staring out of a window etc.

But what about any in-between bits like getting to a cafe early to meet a friend or waiting for bus /tube/train

I'd look out of the window, listen to music, read a free magazine/newspaper, check my e-mails, do some business admin etc. I don't need anything more than my phone to do any of those things.

Ahhhh, I need to have my mind stimulated or I'd be bored. Can't do staring. Have to be prepped for travel. On a train, I'd work, on a bus I'd read a book or listen to an audio book.

I can work, read or listen to an audiobook on my phone. I don't need to carry loads of different things around with me to do that.

I hate my phone for entertainment so I like to have a book, a notebook etc

I carry all the things I need in a cross body bag:

Phone, keys, small bag with make up/basic first aid stuff, maybe a small notebook.

If I want to read, I do it on my kindle app. If it might be chilly, I'm probably already wearing a small scarf and would tie it around my bag if necessary. Gloves in my coat pocket. I'd shove my glasses, a small water bottle and an umbrella in my bag if I thought I'd need them.

I would take a rucksack/big bag if going somewhere overnight but I would never need that much stuff if just out for a day.

I couldn't write 2000+ word reports on a phone screen. Good on you if you can.

I have a backpack when I commute (2hrs one way). It's a big one that has:

• laptop for work
• my own mac (I do some work for a charity i support on the train and i need my mac)
• music manuscript (I also get a lot of score study done during my four hours of travel)
• book in case I dont want to do the two things above
• tea, a big travel cup of it
• my breakfast
• my lunch
• my dinner for the train home (I am busy as soon as I get home)
• depending in the weather a cardigan, jumper or whatever
• noise cancelling headphones because other people+trains and also to listen to aforementioned scored ... big ones that go over my ears.
• hairbrush, just a little one.
• my planner and pen
• door pass, car keys, paracetamol, tampons and pads (i never know these days...), anti bac, tissues, eye drops (I wear contacts), bank cards, lip balm, breath mints, plasters, umbrella, sunglasses....

this leave room for anything I pick up while I am out - nice loaf from Gail's or something....

Do the people who only take keys, phone and bank card never need things like tissues, hairbrushes, lip balm etc throughout the day?