On the road again....

One of my goals is to stick with one bag. It's a well known fact that I love bags (and shoes). It may also be well known that I'm on a mission to significantly downsize and release the majority of my possessions. My current challenge is that I am not home long enough to really tear in and clear out in the way I want to. 

Weekends have found me packing up and rolling out, which certainly feed my three tree energies (love to move, discover, explore and be on the go!) This, however, is not conducive to clutter control and organization unless the system was in place BEFORE I left the house. My system is to quicky ditch my every day weekly bag for a larger weekend bag. I need (and want) to stop doing this. I have a tote for every activity but it sticks out in my mind that it would be a whole lot handier to have an all purpose bag. And of ALL the styles I've tried, I have yet to find one that wins the "All Around" title. 

I rarely carry a purse anymore. Instead I've gotten all I need into this one. Back in 2010 on a visit to Disney World, I bought this little Dooney and Bourke wristlet. It was wayyyy more than I had ever spent on a tiny purse so I was determined to use it. This is the ONE item that I have carried with me daily, which is in an of itself a miracle since I tend to change purses, bags and totes like the weather. I have both glued and sewn it. It holds a cell phone, card organizer, lip balm, essential oil blend, Tide to go mini stick, cash, advil, receipts and sometimes change. 

This however is what I am working with presently....The things that go with me on a daily basis: bamboo utensils, re-usable towel, tea bags, journal, pens, Kindle, sunscreen and....not shown here, watercolor crayons, colored pencils, washi tape and journaling supplies. I also tote around the latest issues of both Taproot and Kinfolk magazines. (Sometimes I still like to touch pages of whatever I'm reading!)

I realize that I could downsize significantly in terms of what I pack around. This will likely be the LAST area I tackle on my minimalist journey. I am often in a place where I'm waiting on my kids, at a rodeo or a ball game or whatever and I ALWAYS want to have something to be doing! This weekend I'll be at a two day junior high rodeo event. This will give me some times to catch up on art journaling and writing. I'm working on another article submission for Amulet, THE COOLEST MAGAZINE I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME! I am thrilled to be included among some very talented, wise, gorgeous beings. I'll have a special post and link to share. 

I've tried a lot of totes but I am really open to suggestions so if anyone happens to have a great, all purpose bag in mind, please share in the comments below or leave a message on Facebook! My two main requirements are lots of pockets and durability. I tend to be pretty hard on bags, they get tossed in the back of a messy Subaru, thrown in a horse trailer,  drug around to various seating locations, sometimes get spilled on or in and on occasion, get slept on. 

In the meantime, I guess I'll repack. On a bright note, the clothing/closet purge that I engaged in during April has been wildly liberating. My clothes were packed in less than 5 minutes! That FEELS GREAT! I still have a ways to go but the clearing has created wonderful creativity and freedom. 

Have a great weekend!