[brutally honest] minimalist what's in my bag

[@karenannemaddox5794]

I am retired but raising a grandson so my bag has a few more cards, things necessitated by my grandson. I have 3 card wallets in my bag, one for health cards, one for credit cards and debit card, license etc and one for library cards, store loyalty cards etc. all three are very compact and take up very little space. I have my reading glasses, a pen and a small thin noteboo. All very minimal and I love it.

[@sherrycohen1824]

Thank you for sharing. The bag is lovely and it's affordable!!!!! I'm so over luxury brands.

[@papertownhome]

I totally agree!

[@tamsenbrodin5819]

What a great video! When my kids were young,I had one small area of whatever bag I carried that was mine (for wallet, lip balm, keys) and then the rest was theirs. Now that my kids are in their twenties, and I carry the same things for myself in a small minimal crossbody.....I miss those days, I miss the season of finding their matchbox cars and books and legos and stuffed animals and snacks. Thank you for reminding me of the awesome ❤

[@papertownhome]

Thank you! That's so great to hear about motherhood from your perspective. I really try to cherish this time with my little ones. Being there mom has been a generous gift! One I wasn't sure I'd get to experience.

[@tired_buthappy]

My purse is about 6x8 and it holds my phone, lip balm, wallet (which magnetically attaches to my phone and is just 3 cards), a pair of prescription sunglasses, and my keys (1 house key, 1 car fob). Thanks for sharing what’s in your bag!

[@papertownhome]

Love that! That wallet sounds awesome! I might need to slim down my cards more. I'm impressed you're down to just three!

[@larissaguy9083]

Love this! I also love the quality of your videos.

[@papertownhome]

Thank you very much! That's definitely a priority for me. Want to keep the quality up and keep improving in that area. :)

[@aliluck3903]

3 kids, summer -diaper rash cream, sunscreen, bug repellent during summer. Winter-moisturizer family friendly, hat gloves Always- wallet, lip balm, headphones(optional but enjoyable) phone, charging cord (battery issues), feminine hygiene and keys

[@papertownhome]

I like how you broke it out by season. So practical!

[@gethsemanebibletime]

So cute! And thank you for sharing this! It really encourages me to nail down my purse once I graduate from the 3rd baby’s diaper bag 🙈💞

[@tameprince6650]

Can I just say how much I’ve loved your video and just your sense of style? You’re amazing, your stuff‘s amazing, your bags. Amazing, I bet your kids are amazing! You definitely got a new follower here.

[@papertownhome]

Thank you! You are so kind and I love that you’ve join us here!

[@Chippasunshineblog]

Thanks for sharing and I love your bag! In this stage of life, I have chosen not to carry a bag when I'm out and about. I only ever bring my tiny flat wallet, keys, and phone. When I'm at work, I take a small book bag.

[@papertownhome]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@tremor_n_hawk]

If that is the cream, I think it is. You are going to love it. After spending decades battling rosacia pimples. It is my favorite!!!

[@papertownhome]

Nice! I hope I have the same experience!

[@emeliefoster3781]

Thank you for sharing! As always, your videos are so entertaining 😆 I have a ten month old, so I have a purse/diaper bag combination, and it’s quite ridiculous. I definitely carry too much crap. But I swear, if I try to narrow it down to just the bare minimum, the text time I’m out, I seem to need that one random thing that used to be in my bag! I do keep a diaper bag that stays in the car, it’s basically just for extras. Really, it’s the stuff I keep in my purse for myself that is the problem. Ok, this video is really making me rethink things! My rant is over now😆

[@papertownhome]

When I first started being at home with the kids I was bringing my purse, the diaper bag and a third bag with food. WAY TOO MUCH, haha! It's a process. But, I've learned to lean into resourcefulness. For instance, Theo got soaked with water at the children's museum and I didn't have a back up shirt. But, since we're just 15 minutes from home, I took off his shirt, zipped up his coat and it was fine. Not ideal, but good enough - LOL, my parenting mantra.

[@mrsbrittanylouu7518]

You’re adorable and I love your style!

[@papertownhome]

Hi friend! Thank you :) I was in a particularly silly mood with this one.

[@sarahpulver9978]

Thx you ❤

[@mybjandme]

Hi. I just found your channel, because I wanted to watch a relaxed video. Which I found. Thank you. I have been looking at the phone you have 🥰 I always have two types of mints and gum in my bag. Plus the ‘normal’ things, like wallet, phone, keys 😊

[@papertownhome]

Welcome! So happy you're here :) so far I'm loving the flip phone. But, I still have the iPhone for taking videos and to listen to audiobooks. Definitely trying to make the technology work for me! Hoping to do a video about it later this year. Happy New Year!

[@neelasharma204]

When our for the day I bring a small pack of tissues lip balm. Water bottle. tap card and train ticket in the small wallet holder. But also am wary so keep the walker holder in my coat pocket. I always pack minimal but also make sure tissues are on hand

[@papertownhome]

So smart! Tissues are my nemesis!

[@neelasharma204]

@@papertownhome oh I forgot since covid if I which is rare use the trains I use hand gel and will take that out in the side pocket of my mini bag

[@papertownhome]

@@neelasharma204 that’s something I always forget about. I should bring some. Especially with kids!

[@vonHolzwege]

Listing the contents of my SO's bag. First, it is small, about 5 by 8 by 2 inches. It has a wallet, iPhone, keys (house and car), and sometimes some loose change. This is about what I carry in my pants pockets, and she would, too, if women's pants were made like mens. Granted, we do not have small children, but this is the way it has been for more than 30 years.

[@papertownhome]

Love it! You're both very minimal! I feel like the guys version of this type of video should be called "What's in my pocket?" 🤣 My husband's pockets would be a homemade duct tape contraption that fits his multitool, extra bits, flashlight, knife and credit cards. It's quite the little device he's fashioned!

[@ursulasmedly1572]

Great video! I think you touched on a couple of things that resonated, but in particular knowing and recognizing the season of life you’re in, and that that season may look different to you. I know people who cannot live without a full make up bag in their purse. I have lip balm and a neutral lipstick. I don’t have kids but I have a husband, which means I’ll never have a tiny bag. I’m the recipient of wallets and phones quite often . I have a Portland leather tote bag (pale blue)and also a smaller crossbody bag (medium brown). Great brand. I would love to be the person that doesn’t need a bag, but I’m not. Oh, for the summertime, I have a backpack from Fjallraven. It’s the prettiest sunshiny yellow. It’s perfect to wear walking to our farmers market. Great too if we get separated. Not many yellow backpacks out there 🤷‍♀️. Anyway, I’ve rambled enough. Thanks for being such a nice, comforting space on KZbin. We’ve had the norovirus for the past week and it was not fun! Always look forward to your work ❤️ Happy New Year!

[@papertownhome]

Happy New Year, Ursula! I always look forward to your comments :). I hope you're feeling better. I think we actually had norovirus too. Not fun at all. It went on for way too long!

[@ursulasmedly1572]

@@papertownhome right?! And I was afraid to go in and see the doctor for fear of picking something else up. 😳

[@papertownhome]

@@ursulasmedly1572 oh my goodness yes. I always feel the same way!

[@sallybeazlie6901]

I love the flip phone idea! Can you give any update - pros/cons!?

[@papertownhome]

Yes! I only switched a few weeks ago, so I think I'll need to do a video in a few months for the full scoop. But, as of now... a few pros: I can fully separate from distracting digital technology and focus on my kids. I'm more present with them and the temptation to listen to a podcast in the background (terrible habit of mine) is gone. I've actually found time to READ! Like sit down with a book and read. I didn't realize I had that time in my day. a few cons: I had to call my in-laws when I got lost going to the dentist 🤣. It turned out fine, but I had a moment of panic. The flip phone actually does have Maps, so I could use it if needed, but I was hesitant because I don't pay for much data. But, it's worth noting because that technology is available on the flip phone. Another con is there are apps I liked using that I can't access with the flip phone (e.g., the digital library for free audiobooks). That wasn't a surprise for me, but it is a con. I definitely have to replace digital tools from the phone with other things (e.g., a notebook, maybe a GPS in my car one day, etc.) What I've done is kept my iPhone (I use it for content creation) and I only bring it out when I have a specific use in mind (e.g., listening to an audiobook, filming content). In the past, when I tried to keep the iPhone away during the day, I would always end up bringing it out because I had to communicate with someone. So, the flip phone has become the tool that prevents me from having to bring the iPhone out. It probably sounds complicated, but I think digital minimalism requires an approach tailored to each individual. This seems to be what works for me! I'll also say, I thought stepping away from the entertainment of podcasts and KZbin videos would result in feeling really bored, but it hasn't been too bad. There was a period of adjustment, but overall I feel calmer and clearer headed. Sorry, this was a long response! I will have to do a video down the road!

[@jaimewilliams9978]

How do you handle maps/gps with a flip phone??

[@papertownhome]

I rarely leave my town, so mostly I don't need them. But, when I do, I look up directions beforehand. And, if I get lost, I call my in laws 🤣. They love it, lol.

[@jaimewilliams9978]

@@papertownhome haha yay for in laws! We travel quite often so I just decided to remove the Safari from my iPhone. All I can look at is photos of my family if it up and want to scroll lol. It's working so far. :)

[@papertownhome]

@@jaimewilliams9978 nice! That’s smart. I think starting a KZbin channel increased my screen usage and I had to take more extreme measures 😂

[@jaimewilliams9978]

@@papertownhome That's fair. Especially all the people you watch (I love them too). I'm happy it's working for you!!