I decided that it was about time my handbag got sorted out. I have loads of different coloured ones, but seem to stick with the same old black one that matches most of my clothes, plus I am too lazy to turn move stuff from one bag to another! The fact that my bag was getting heavier and heavier, made me think that perhaps I don’t need to carry around everything….

I was surprised at some of the stuff i find essential to cart around everywhere with me:

  • Address book. note-book and blank diary (ahh, what a social butterfly I am – NOT)!
  • Sunglasses. Well I know it is the middle of winter in England but you never know…
  • Empty glasses case. I only ever wear my glasses to work. so no idea why this is in my handbag. (I have a separate bag for work which is even bigger)!
  • Cheap reading glasses. Just in case I do have to admit defeat when squinting at something for ages doesn’t work!
  • Purse and phone. These really are the essentials.
  • Jotter, This was supposed to be to write things in to help with inspiration. It hasn’t worked.
  • Programme for school Christmas concert that I wrote about and offended everybody. God knows why that is still in there.
  • 4 and 1/2 pens. Yes, one is broken,(who knows when you will need 1/2 a pen)?!
  • 3 lighters. I gave up smoking in October, but they may come in handy.If I am stuck outside freezing somewhere, I can always rip up my jotter and use it to start up a fire. Be prepared, is what I say (Well actually I think it was the Brownies or something)!
  • A multi-tool consisting of what looks like a knife fork and spoon combination. Now you never know when you might need eating utensils, so this is a very handy piece of kit to have around. (Shame you can’t use both the knife and fork at the same time though).
  • Two packets of tissues for snotty noses, messy eating, emotional moments, or even substitute loo roll (Public toilets are always running out of toilet paper and you don’t want to be caught short). Another essential.
  • A ‘looking good’ compact mirror. Not that i ever want to look in it, but it is there to compliment me, as no bugger else will!

I have decided that actually I do need everything in that bag. I have covered myself for some of the little challenges that life likes to throw our way when least expected.

What essentials do you need to carry with you, just in case?