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 😀

I don't only have keys and purse, there's a lip balm and a tissue in there. I have never needed to brush my hair part way through my working day though!

Sometimes after playground duty, I look like a scarecrow!

I used to think this, too. But then I was looking at my colleagues and could not work out why compared to them I always just looked a bit.... scruffy.

It was the hair. They clearly ran a brush thriugh their hair after their windy/rainy/sweaty commute. At the very least my fringe!

Not really, I might take some tissues or lip balm with me if I’ve got a cold or it’s really windy. I’ve never once carried a hairbrush around with me though!

My job doesn’t involve writing 2000+ word reports. Not everyone’s work is the same as yours!

Or yours! Hairbrushes can be tiny or foldable and if it makes you feel more together , professional and confident, why wouldn’t you?

I only carry a bag if absolutely necessary so I need one for work because I need to carry my laptop and books but when I go out otherwise, I try my best just to use my pockets. I tend to only carry my phone because it has everything I need on it.

Because I’m a dog walker so carrying a hairbrush around to sort my hair out would be a total waste of a pocket 😉

I also have the kind of hair that goes frizzy and ridiculous as soon as it’s brushed so I never touch it once it’s dry except to tie it up.

But if you had to go to a meeting after you would brush your hair , no?

If you have frizzy or curly hair then brushing it doesn’t make it look better! I don’t ever brush my hair when it’s dry unless I’m tying it back.

No. Brushing my hair makes it look 10x worse. I would just tie it up off my face If needed.

No, i just run my fingers through my hair if i think it needs it, If i need tissues i go to the toilet, i don't actually buy tissues. lip balm fits in my pocket if i need it.

So i don't drink a huge amount during the day, 4 cups would be really pushing it for me, i tend to only drink at meal times. As for snacks - i buy them for the house so no matter if i buy for the house to take out or buy when i'm out i'm spending the money anyway? So it isn't really costing me any more money.

Card , keys , phone and lipstick is all I need

I was in your side until you said toothbrush. That’s an overnight bag imo.

Not if you’re going out straight from work. I know my DDs sometimes do this and take a little travel toothbrush to freshen up.

Yeah if I'm going out from work I'll brush my teeth, refresh make up, perfume spritz etc

When the PP said she was a dog-walker, I think she meant that she's a professional dog-walker, not that she walks her dog before an office job.

That’s correct 🥰

No, I like a light bag. Wallet, keys, phone. Maybe kindle. Perhaps a very light mini umbrella in a wet summer day. In winter I use a hat so need for brolly.

You’ve just reminded me I’ve got a used urine bottle in my rucksack from my last midwife appointment 😳 (they like you to reuse them now). She wrapped it in paper towel, didn’t check if she’d emptied it 🫣

I have a bag but usually quite empty however I drive to work and my car has the kitchen sink in it. If I’m on public transport I carry my power pack, headphones, water bottle, umbrella etc

@RaininSummer those of us cursed with unruly curly hair don’t really use brushes, the only advantage. For the pub I put a tissue and lip balm in my pocket

I would love to have the sort of hair you can tidy up by running your fingers through. Mine is fine and straight so I definitely need to have access to a hair brush if I don't want to look like a very windswept scarecrow.

My hair is never tidy - if I brush it, it turns into an uncontrollable, frizzy mess. If it’s combed, the comb inevitably gets stuck in it. The only method is to tie it up off my face and hope for the best!