What's In My Bag and Why It Matters

One of my first coping strategies I learned was making my life function out of a single bag. The bag in question I started with was my school backpack. I didn’t have to worry about my ADHD forgetting homework if my homework lived in my bag when I wasn’t working on it. I’ve over the years expanded and adapted this strategy to a purse and a backpack that covers my needs at any time. My purse has a more fixed set of items, while my backpack can vary a lot more depending on the event.

What do I look for in bags?

For a bag, I look for certain qualities that I’ve found work really well for me. Some of your own qualifications for your bag may vary, but this is where I’m at with mine.

1. Pockets

I usually prefer my bag subdivided a bit to help me find things faster. For instance, I have 5 pockets and a divider in my current bag. Those pockets hold first aid supplies, medicine, stationery, my wallet and keys, and some other general on the go items I may need. I also have a pouch in my current pouch that sits between 2 inner pockets that holds other odds and ends.

2. Easy to access and secure

This point will probably take a bit to explain. For me, getting things easily is important, but I also know well that I am a klutz. I drop things often and have accidentally emptied my bag a few too many times. However, I’ve also dealt with flaps and buckles, really just preventing me from investing in the energy to get things I need. So something simpler, like a zipper, works a lot better.

3. The Right Size

This point is probably the most dynamic. As you go through different periods of your life, you may find that you need different sized bags. For going to school, I needed a bigger bag to hold my notebooks and books. As a woman in my 30s, as long as I can take my planning supplies, a smaller bag works better.

There really is no right or wrong answer in how you pick your bag. I hope my considerations get you thinking about what your must haves are. Feel free to share them in the comments below.