A while ago I shared what I keep in my purse at all times and since I’ve returned to full time work I thought I’d share with y’all the things that I always keep in my work bag. I’ll start out by saying that I’m a notorious over-packer (for everything), so you probably don’t need everything that I bring to work, but maybe you’ll see something on this list and realize it would be helpful to add to your work bag as well.
Starting off I have literally everything that I mentioned in the previous blog post that I keep in my purse. In case you don’t want to go back and read it, a brief summary:
- Phone, wallet, keys
- Chapstick and lipstick
- Hand lotion
- Bandaids (extra essential for when I’m wearing heels to work)
- Bullet journal, mini moleskin, and pens
- A book or two (physical or on my library app on my phone)
A reusable water bottle. Yes, my office does have glasses available, but one of my perpetual goals is to drink more water and that’s easier to do if I have my giant water bottle on my desk instead of an 8 oz glass. I use the same water bottle for spin class so I just move it back and forth from my gym bag to my work bag. (Yes, I do have more than just the one water bottle but it’s my favorite so leave me alone.)
A reusable to-go coffee mug. This is one I’m trying to work on and be better about. Most days (aka every day unless something horrible happens) I drink my coffee at home and won’t stop to get one on the way into work. But sometimes I run out of coffee beans. Or I’ve stayed up too late the night before. Or I’m grouchy and need a pick-me-up. So I stop at a coffee shop and grab another cup. I know I should be bringing my own mug (I did today!), so I’m adding it to my list in the hope that it’ll help me do it all the time.
An umbrella. Spring and summer in DC mean random huge thunderstorms. And since I hate the rain but can never remember to check to forecast before leaving in the morning I just have a mini umbrella that lives in my work bag so I’m never caught in the rain without it. Insurance.
A phone charger. I have an iPhone that’s pretty old at this point but I’m still holding on to it because I don’t want to buy a new one. So I tote my phone charger to work for the inevitable moment that my phone decides to die and I need it. Also my work phone number redirects to my cell phone so I really should make sure it’s on.
My lunch. I try to bring my lunch every day. Both to cut down on expenses but also because what I make is generally healthier than what I’d go and grab in a pinch. Plus it’s way easier to bring my own lunch than it is to go out and grab something during lunchtime when everyone else is trying to do the same thing.
Other random small items: extra hair ties, my office keys, extra business cards, my workout clothes and spin shoes if I’m catching a class after work…
Do any of you have a secret weapon that you keep in your work bag that’s absolutely essential and has saved the day before?
I definitely need to remember my phone charger for work, I almost always run out of battery by the end of the day. Also I really need to get better at bringing my own lunch in. I don't know about you, but my office was always a little too chilly (we wore COATS inside during winter), so I had a blanket that lived at my desk.