Simpler Life Series 6: Lighten that Load
When we moved to Germany, we had to start carrying everything. We didn’t have the luxury of tossing our purchases onto the passenger seat of a car. I was so embarrassed the first time I had to carry a package of toilet paper on public transportation. Then I started seeing that everyone was doing the exact same thing at some point. They were also wobbling home with too many groceries in their saddle bags and bike baskets like me, too.
Sometimes my grocery bags feel so heavy that I’m not sure I can make it home. I’ve gotten better about how much I buy in the first place.
I’ve also learned a really important rule: walk out of the house with the least amount of stuff as possible. Old receipts, extra pens, previous shopping lists – all of that stuff is gone before I even walk out of the house.
Having a relatively empty purse (or just putting your wallet in your coat pocket) has got to be the most freeing feeling on any shopping trip.
This week in our simpler life series, what if we worked on simplifying our loads?
Please share any solutions or problems you have on this topic in the comments. I swear I’d give all the loose change in my purse to the person with the most interesting thoughts if I didn’t just spend it on a subway ticket this morning.
(Image from Made by Rae)
Keep it green and simple with 2 more ideas:
March 24th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Ooh I love this post Katie. So funny because my mom was visiting this past weekend and she grabbed my diaper bag/purse for me and exclaimed over how light it is! It is lighter than her purse. I have gotten really good at only carrying what Fiona and I absolutely need. Love the lighten the load theme of this post!
March 24th, 2009 at 6:23 am
I started carrying way too much stuff in my purse after I had babies. You never know when you’re going to need a bandage, tissue, diaper, etc. Now that my children are out of diapers, I have lightened my load. I bought a small purse with compartments inside — no more big, empty bag where everything is just thrown in. I can always find my cell phone or lip balm because it is always in the same place. I love it. And if there isn’t a place for something, then I usually don’t carry it.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:19 am
I have slowly been downsizing from my heavy purse. I used to carry everything but the kitchen sink for the just in case moments, but to be honest with you they were few and far between. Now when I walk in a store I can usually just grab my wallet and stick it in my pocket. That way I only have to carry out what I purchase.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:06 am
This is funny because I JUST got done emptying my purse. I’ll admit that one of my oversized purses was overstuffed. (My dentist called it my “movie star” purse. lol) I bought it to carry work documents. Yeah right! We happened to have a scale at work one day so I was encouraged to weigh it. 6 pounds! I don’t carry it around anymore.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I have a simple purse that is more like a wallet on a string. It has 2 compartments. One holds cards and one has a small zippered pocket for change and a slot for bills. I can fit receipts in the bill compartment but other than that it is impossible to put anything else in it so I cannot overstuff it.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:28 am
I barely carry anything. Usually I will only carry my debit card or cash when I go out, and stick those with my keys in my pockets. Summertime is a little more challenging, I have been thinking about what to do this summer. Thing is, I’m so used to NOT carrying a bag, when I do, I forget it a lot!
March 24th, 2009 at 9:04 am
My problem is that if I edit my purse contents & leave the house with a lighter load, it is inevitable that my husband will start asking me can I put this or that in my purse, and then it fills up and gives me a headache from the weight! It got a little bit better when we moved to Europe & he deemed it acceptable for him to carry a man-bag. Now I don’t think he could ever go back to just pockets. But he still asks me to carry the random book or water bottle for him.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:58 am
LOL! I recently did post where I cleaned out all my purses. It was amazing how much junk was in them.
http://myheelsarehigherthanyours.blogspot.com/2009/02/great-purse-clean-out.html
March 24th, 2009 at 11:25 am
There’s definitely something burdensome about carrying around a too-heavy purse or bag. It’s horrible when you have an absolutely adorable purse (like yours above! so cute), but it’s too heavy and then you hate carrying it around. At least, I feel that way. Perhaps the lesson here is to carry around an ugly purse, so you never want to use it, and resort to stuffing everything in your pockets.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I used to carry a tiny purse, but then I decided to start carrying a book with me all the time, so I could read while waiting on kids at lessons etc. I’m stopping by from the UBP. You’ve got a nice blog!
March 24th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I carry a backpack instead of a purse or diaper bag if I am grocery shopping or going to be out for awhile. It is so much easier to carry everything on my back. If I am alone (sans baby, I mean) and am only going somewhere quick and in the area, I just stick my debit card in my zippered jacket pocket and go. It is liberating. Also, when I shop WITH the baby, I just stick everything in the basket at the bottom of her pram.
Want another good tip? Take the hubby with you and use your “old school values” argument. By that I mean, “Dear, could you carry this for me? You’re so much stronger than I am.”
March 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Oh it’s great reading about everything you all do. Since we’re required to have IDs on us all the time in Germany, I throw that in my pocket and go just like some of you.
Erin has a problem I bet we can all relate to… husbands wanting to put their stuff in our bags. Then sure won’t carry them, then, will they?!
I also can’t believe it. Christy’s diaper bag/purse is lighter than her mom’s purse! haha. Go Christy!
It’s been fantastic reading all the comments so far. Meg, I’m still overwhelmed by the day you put your purse on a scale.
You all brought me such smiles today. I love to hear these stories. Keep ‘em coming!
Katie
March 24th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Nice to meet you. Happy blog party week.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I thought I carried a lot of stuff until I had kids. Now I carry Provisions for All Eventualities. And the thing is, almost without fail, if I forget something I need it. Once my first toilet-trained the load lightened considerably, but now with two it’s back up there again. Plus cloth diapers are huge and bulky, which doesn’t help.
I’ve sort of accepted that this is my fate for the next year or two at least. Then I’ll be back to traveling light again.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I love your postings! Today I “lost” my keys in my purse and had to empty it out at work-ugh! It was pretty ugly and funny at the same time. I really didn’t realize that I was carrying around 4 bottles of perfume…really? does a girl really need that many smells? I decided then and there to lighten up so your post was exactly on point and what I needed this evening! Thank You!!! I think moving to a smaller purse that has been sitting in my closet will be my first change! :0)
March 24th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I love being the only man here, because I can give the man’s perspective. My girlfriend would never make it where you live. I have never seen such a bag. It’s so annoying, even she cannot find stuff. Her phone rings and she misses the call while digging through the rubbish. I am afraid to look in there. it’s scary.
March 25th, 2009 at 1:02 am
I have enjoyed reading your blog. I also live in Germany and I hate carrying a purse while traveling. During the winter I can just put my wallet and chapstick in my coat pocket. In the summer I have a small purse with a long handle that’s only big enough for the things I absolutely need.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Such a great tip. I always have way too many receipts and loose change in my purse!
March 28th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
The purse I use most often has two separate zipper sections, with a small interior zippered pocket in one of the sections. I keep the essentials in the pocket closest to my body – epi pen, wallet, keys, cellphone. In the small interior pocket I have chapstick and *ahem* personal items. The other large zippered sections is where I throw the other stuff – coupon organizer (shopping list and receipts are held in elastic band), tissues, mirror (no idea why. I don’t think I’ve ever used it…), small bottle of lotion, and planner w/ pen (yes, the paper kind. I’ve tried electronic, it doesn’t work for me). There is also room for my small Bible and notebook.
I actually downloaded the pattern to make the purse you have pictured. I might make it tomorrow, depending on the March Madness basketball schedule.
March 28th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
All great ideas.
Followed your link from the inspired room and enjoyed visiting with you today.
Thanks for sharing.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Im from the states but live in Holland , and everyday shopping by the ladies here is done with just a wallet, when I first got here I found it very liberating too just to walk out with a wallet and not a purse.(I hate purses btw ) Katie hope youre enjoying Germany. Like your new kitchen too ….
March 29th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I wish I could find the perfect balance between a bag that holds what I need but doesn’t make me feel like a pack horse!
Great post :-)
March 29th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
PS. Thanks for joining in with A Beautiful Life Friday!