What’s In My Bag – MINIMALIST EDC Essentials
Do you want to know what’s in my handbag? I try to have a minimalist approach to my everyday carry essentials so for anyone who loves EDC, minimalism and handbags – or purses – keep reading! I’ve identified 41 items that I carry in my handbag in different scenarios. I try to keep the items I carry to a minimum and select small, lightweight versions of everything. I’m not claiming to be a minimalist, but I suffer from shoulder and neck pain so the lighter my bag the better. And to help those outside Australia, here we tend to call all women’s fashion type bags “handbags”, rather than shoulder bags, clutches, etc. And they are never called “purses”. A purse is something you keep your coins in! The items I carry My car key Like most car keys these days it’s big and chunky. I know that some car keys can be programmed onto a smart phone so the sooner Audi do that in Australia the better, then I can leave this at home! Driver licence Whether I’m driving or not this is my primary form of identification, so I always have this on me. Trolley key I use this to unlock supermarket trolleys, so I don’t have to carry a coin. I never carry cash, and I got caught so many times before I got this. Breath mints This one is up for review. I really don’t need them very often, but this is a tiny, slim holder – I think Michael got it from an animal welfare conference in New Zealand about 15 years ago! Canadian travel charm Maybe I’m superstitious but a friend gave me this good luck charm for travellers many years ago and I’ve carried it ever since. Costco card Costco cards can’t go in my iPhone wallet, so I’m stuck with this one. I could keep it in the glovebox of the car since I only ever go there in the car so this might get eliminated! Emergency $20 note I don’t use cash in Australia at all. This became part of my carry about 10 years ago when I let my car run out of petrol. NRMA – roadside assistance – brought me a can of petrol but I needed $20 cash to pay for it! I had to borrow from the business I’d stopped outside of, luckily, they were nice enough to lend it, even though they didn’t know me. It was a plumbing business, and we’ve used them for our plumbing issues ever since. And yes, I did repay them! Fold up shopping bag To avoid excessive consumption of disposable bags. Glasses screwdriver To tighten those tiny little screws when the arms of my glasses start flapping around. House key Just the one. I don’t feel the need to carry every key I possess. I always wonder why people have to carry big bunches of keys, like an olden day’s prison warden. Safe key More of a money tin really – we just keep left over international currency in there between trips. Nothing major, it’s more so we know where it is than for security! I keep the key with me for security though, rather than need. Hand cream This tiny container is perfect – I like things as flat as possible. I refill it with a fairly thick cream – a runny one might leak. Lip balm No explanation necessary! Anker magsafe power bank For phone low power emergencies – that time I ran out of petrol I’d also forgotten to charge my phone, and I didn’t have a charger in the car. Another thing the nice plumbing business lent me was a charger! Rolling Square InCharge X xmall charging cable I can use it to charge anything USB C, Micro USB or lightning if there is a USB A or C outlet to plug into. The MagSafe power bank can give my iPad a tiny charge using this cable, if I’m really desperate! Nasal decongestant I tend to get a stuffy nose quite a lot. Pen Always good to have. I have a LAMY Safari pen I bought in Japan, but it’s a bit big and chunky. I love it but I’m thinking of getting a small pen like a Fisher Space Pen or something made for EDC. The pens above are NOT to scale! Hand sanitiser Even before Covid I usually had it but now it’s more important than ever. Shout wipe If you’ve seen my video on packing for a six-week trip you’ll know I tend to be a bit of a messy eater. Small mirror This is the tiniest mirror I’ve ever found. I got it, well we got two of them, at an animal welfare conference in Washington DC in 2011. It was a gimmick – “looking into this will show you who can save these animals” kind of thing. But I’ve carried one ever since for makeup touch ups – it’s all I need and so tiny! Small scrunchie When it’s hot and sticky and I’m out and about my hair annoys me so when I’m about to go completely mad I get this out and pull my hair back. It looks awful but sometimes that just doesn’t matter! Small tin of medications Just a few painkillers, antihistamines and antacid tablets. I wrap the scrunchie around this, so they’re always together. The tin is from some souvenir breath mints I bought at George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. Smart AirCard I bought these from a Kickstarter, they work the same as Air Tags, but they’re flat so easier to carry in small pouches and bags. Sunglasses But not very often since I can’t drive in them or read my phone in them. And only when its sunny of course! I keep them in this soft pouch, which doubles as a lens cloth. SwissCard NailCare From the makers of Swiss Army knives and with similar functions. This one doesn’t have a blade, but it does
Discovering My Long Flight Essentials: A Comprehensive Guide
Find out what’s in my bag when I pack my long flight essentials. A deep dive into travel gear for 2024. Travel gear essentials brought to you by an experienced traveller! The Importance of Planning for Long-Haul Flights Long-haul flights can range from seven hours to over 17 hours, so having the right onboard kit can greatly enhance your comfort and entertainment during such journeys. I typically categorise my in-flight essentials into six groups, which I’ll cover in detail, and stick around until the end to see how I organise everything at home between trips. This post will delve into everything I bring onboard that I use during the flight. Items I pack for my destination will be saved for another discussion, so if that interests you, let me know in the comments! I’ve written an ebook on long flight essentials – click this image to get your free copy! Travel Outfit Strategy Choosing the right travel outfit is crucial for comfort throughout the journey. My go-to attire consists of merino wool leggings, a merino wool long-sleeved t-shirt, a loose, lightweight dress, a snug cashmere cardigan, and a serape—a versatile garment that’s part scarf, part cape. I complete the outfit with no-show socks and comfortable sneakers, usually my reliable black Nike Air Force Ones. Given that we frequently travel between the southern and northern hemispheres, I find myself adapting to dramatically different climates. While I typically board the plane in the dress, I arrive at my destination dressed in the full outfit, especially if I land in a wintery location like New York. I also keep my winter coat and gloves in my carry-on for easy access. For the flight, I switch into relaxed tracky pants and an oversized t-shirt, ensuring maximum comfort. Before we land, I change back into my travel outfit, helping to prevent any spills or signs of discomfort from remaining on my clothes. During the flight, I prefer to go barefoot and wear thongs (flip-flops) for visits to the toilet, storing them in a separate shoe bag to keep everything else tidy. Health and Comfort Essentials Let’s explore my health and comfort items. I store my prescription medication in a contact lens case for convenience. One side holds a gel I apply nightly, while the other contains my pills. My “just-in-case” medications encompass paracetamol, ibuprofen, a non-drowsy antihistamine, nasal decongestant spray, chewable antacids, and saline nasal spray—essential for combatting dry cabin air that often leads to headaches. Additionally, I carry a small pack of tissues, Hydralyte sachets for hydration, and melatonin gummies and Tylenol PM for sleep. To maintain freshness, I take anti-perspirant deodorant wipes and hand sanitising wipes, which are more compact than liquids. Regarding dental care, I usually rely on Qantas to provide toothbrushes and toothpaste but will pack a travel-sized version if flying with other airlines. I also take compression stockings, though I seldom wear them, as they can sometimes make my feet uncomfortably hot. Watch my ultimate long-haul flight comfort video if you’re interested in more tips to stay comfortable during long travels. Skincare and Beauty Routine Onboard You may have seen in that video that I like to do skincare routines on flights, and I can attest to how refreshing they can be for combating dry air while signalling to my brain that it’s almost sleep time. Before landing, I repeat my morning skincare routine as well. I have a scrunchie handy for my hair, and I use a handheld mirror for quick checks. My nighttime skincare pack includes an oil-based makeup removing wipe, cleansing wipes, hydrating mist, eye cream, and a nourishing moisturiser. For daytime, I use a tinted moisturiser, some blush, an eyebrow pencil, and a subtle lip colour for a fresh appearance upon landing. Given the sensitivities of fellow travellers, I choose to forgo strong perfumes, opting instead for a rollerball when necessary. Tech Essentials for Travel No long haul is complete without technology. My iPad is essential, along with my phone, AirPods, and Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones for entertainment. I also pack charging gear, including a compact plug-in charger, USB-C cables, and a robust power bank, ensuring that my devices stay powered throughout the journey. I have a silicone neck cord for the AirPods so I don’t lose them in the seat if I fall asleep, and take an Airfly so I can watch the inflight movies using Bluetooth. Miscellaneous Travel Items My miscellaneous essentials include a nail file, glasses cleaning cloth, a pen for immigration documents, and a small jewellery pouch to keep my accessories safe while I sleep. A handheld fan is also a great addition if the cabin gets stuffy. Finally, my passport and wallet are always on the packing list! Packing Strategies for a Long Flight Now, let’s explore how I pack all these essentials. My travel strategy is tailored based on the storage available in the cabin. In economy or premium economy, a spacious sling bag forms my personal item, containing most of my essentials. When I have more space, I utilise four distinct bags to organise my gear efficiently. My first bag is a packing cube for my change of clothes (tracky pants, t-shirt, slippers, compression stockings, etc.), while the second holds my skincare and beauty supplies in a clear liquids bag. For my essential medications and personal items, a small pouch keeps everything handy, and my tech gear fits neatly into another designated tech bag. [soliloquy id=”18222″] Organising Between Trips When I’m not travelling, I maintain an organised system for all my items. Skincare, makeup, and tech gear are stored in boxes specifically designated for travel items, while consumables are rotated in and out as needed. This well-structured organisation ensures that everything stays in order and is ready for the next adventure. Conclusion I hope this detailed guide on my long-haul flight essentials provides you with valuable insights for your future travels. If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the
