Introduction
Woman’s purses tend to weigh more than it appears to be. Imagine a bag that can easily contain everything a purse has in addition to all the working essentials. That’s what my work bag used to be. I used to be that person, I think, many women can relate to. Carrying so much weight on my shoulder, while sometimes realizing I don’t even use some of the things in it, was me in the past.
Now, I try to minimize the things I carry, especially in my work bag. I decide carefully if something is really needed or I’m just carrying it for the idea of “just-in-case.” I also make sure to choose a bag that does not weigh much on its own. After taking this in measure, I realized how some bags weigh a ton even with nothing in it!
Laptop is Inevitable
First and foremost, my work bag consists of my laptop. As someone who often works in cafes, I carry my laptop everywhere. This takes up a big portion of my bag weight. I try not to carry my laptop charger. One reason is because if a café doesn’t have an outlet, I would end up carrying it for no reason. Second reason is because if my laptop battery is full, I can usually go throughout the day without charging it.
Pen case with PC Related Stuff
I carry a pen, case not only for pens, but for small computer accessories as well. In fact, I usually just have one pen inside, and the rest of the things in the case will be my headphones and a flash drive. Having a pen case keeps the bag organized and keep the headphones from tangling.
Transit IC card Is so Efficient in Japan
In Japan, most people will use the transit IC card for trains and buses. I often have one in a case strapped to my bag. Just by having some money in it, going through the train gates or hopping on the bus is extremely convenient. Mostly, the IC cards are universal nationwide, so for instance, even if you obtained one in Osaka, you can still charge and use the same card in Tokyo. For additional convenience, the IC cards are not only for public-run transits, but it can be used for most of privately operated transits as well.
Handkerchief/Tissue…Fundamental
Personally, I think Japanese people tend to carry handkerchiefs more so than any other people. When I lived in the U.S., I never actually carried handkerchiefs. When I moved back to Japan, I automatically felt the need to carry one. It’s also true that there are a lot more handkerchief options in the stores, or that there are more occasions bathrooms are not equipped with paper towels. I even vaguely remember being told to always carry a handkerchief and a pocket tissue when I was growing up. All in all, I carry one because it simply comes in handy.
Makeup Pouch filled With A lot of Trend Cosmetics
This item may be the only one I feel guilty of carrying “just-in-case” essentials. I try to make it minimal, but feeling of security is sometimes worth it, I suppose. In my makeup bag, I usually have 2 or 3 make up items, some medications, moisturizer, and few other small things.
A Simple Wallet Will Do
Wallets tend to get heavy, so sometimes I just take out some money and a credit card out of it, put it in my pocket, and leave my wallet at home. But Japan being a nation of point-collecting systems, virtually every store will have a membership card. I often fall for these membership schemes, so if I know I’m going to visit some stores or cafes, I will have my wallet with me, which is majority of the time.
Other than the things I mentioned above, I usually will have my house key, an extra pen inside a bag pocket for easy use, and perhaps some receipts in my bag. I also have a very thin agenda book that I use for calendar and as a small notebook. Being portable is great, and these essential items are just enough for work even when out in the city working from various locations throughout the day.
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