A handbag is one of the most useful accessories if you know what to pack. If you are someone who keeps their life in one, here are 10 of the most essential items you need in it.
Photo by Nick Noel on UnsplashThe Essentials
While “essentials” is a bit vague, it refers to the items you can’t leave the house without. Your phone, keys, Vaporesso vape pen, whatever it may be, are the things you should pack first and have available at all times.
Emergency Medication
One mistake that many of us make is leaving the house without any medication on hand. Throughout the day, you may get a headache or stomach cramps or hurt yourself, and having something that can alleviate the pain can be a lifesaver.
While you don’t need to pack an entire medical kit, having some headache and stomach tablets packed, as well as a couple of painkillers, will ensure your day isn’t completely ruined.
Medical Supplies
On top of medication, you should also have a couple of medical supplies packed as well. Once again, an entire kit isn’t necessary, but a few of the essentials will go a long way in an emergency.
You should have a few band-aids of varying sizes, an ointment of some kind that can be applied to scrapes or cuts to prevent infection, tweezers for any splinters, and anti-septic or anti-bacterial wipes can also help if you can’t use an ointment.
A Bottle
Another item that many of us tend to forget is a humble bottle. Whether it is filled with a smoothie or water, drinking enough throughout the day keeps you hydrated and can prevent headaches and a sick feeling.
You don’t need to carry a gallon-sized bottle; you need something that can fit in your bag and be refilled throughout the day when required.
Photo by Bluewater Sweden on UnsplashSnacks
No matter who you are, at some point during the day, you are going to feel peckish, and you won’t be able to have a meal any time soon; this is why you should have a stash of snacks in your handbag.
While these snacks can be whatever you like, choosing healthier options will almost always be better as you can feed your hunger cravings without getting a sugar high that will lead to a quick crash. Fruit, crackers, or something you made at home all work brilliantly.
Self-Defense
While many people may feel like they live somewhere where they don’t have to be constantly worried about their safety, it is always best to take precautions. There are several self-defense options available, but there are a couple you should consider.
Pepper spray is always a good one as you can keep it in your bag, on your keys, or in your pocket. If you don’t feel confident using pepper spray, you can also use a pen or your keys as self-defense tools; just make sure you know how to use them effectively.
Touch-Up Make-Up
If you love looking your best and having your make-up perfect throughout the day, a mini make-up kit is a great addition to your bag. Once again, you can pack as much or as little as you want, but some things should always be in there.
Lipstick is a must, as well as an eyeliner, especially in the warmer months and you are running around a lot during your day. Make-up remover wipes are also brilliant to fix any smears or something similar.
Notepad & Pen
Even though we live in a smartphone world, you can never go wrong with having a pen and a notepad at hand. Whether it be for taking notes or leaving messages with colleagues, once you start carrying one around with you, you won’t know how you lived without one.
If you are someone who takes a lot of notes and you don’t want a stack of paper on your desk, there are also electronic notepads that keep everything in one place and are easily accessible whenever you need them.
Wallet
A wallet may sound like it should be in the essential category, but what you have in it is important to note. Besides your bank cards, you should also have a form of ID in it, as well as some cash, as you never know when you are going to go somewhere or use a service that only accepts cash.
An addition to your wallet, although it will require practice, is a wallet-sized lock-picking kit. While you may never need it, knowing you have something that can help you get into your car or your front door in the event of losing your keys is a great safety cushion to have.
Photo by Emil Kalibradov on UnsplashPower Bank
Finally, you should always have a fully charged power bank in your handbag. You never know when you won’t have access to a charging point and plug, and you don’t want to have a phone with a dead battery.
This is particularly useful for those who use public transport, as you won’t have access to a car charger, or those who use their phone a lot for work.