If you're anything like us, you spend way too much time rummaging through your purse every day for keys, wallet, lipstick, gum . . . MomSpeaker Darla DeMorrow puts her professional organizer skills to good use every time she buys a new bag, making sure everything she needs will be immediately at her fingertips, no rummaging required.
Organizing my purse is something I do even before purchasing my purse. If it’s not set up for success, no matter how cute, it doesn’t come home with me. It’s one item I could never, ever possibly buy online. I have to love the look AND feel of it before plunking down the dinero. And color is good, too, but organizing trumps all.
Every purse I buy at this point has to have 2 separated compartments, with one to protect my ipad. The main compartment holds my essentials:
- wallet, which also holds the last few receipts I picked up
- hand sanitizer
- business card case
- my gym card
- mints
- a mesh see-through case from my favorite Mary Kay lady for primping gear
- purple pen
- Sharpie
- hairband (for serious hair)
- ear buds, neatly wrapped, of course
- USB drive
- cough drops
This side usually has my phone, but it was in my pocket when I snapped this picture.
The other compartment holds my other brain:
- my iPad mini
- a microfiber cloth
- bandages (these have kitties on them)
- stuff I picked up at the Philly Home Show
- wire ties from organizing clients’ offices yesterday
That is it. 80% of the time, when I look into my purse, I’m either going for my wallet or my iPad, and I don’t have to dig for them. I also try to keep things colorful inside my purse so it isn’t a dark, black hole in there.
I constantly purge anything extra that doesn’t belong. I just don’t have time for it. Organizing my purse is a quick 5-minute organizing project.
Someone asked why I don't have kid stuff and emergency supplies in my purse. Once my kids got out of diapers, I instituted the "you bring it, you carry it" rule. My chiropractor can attest to the fact that it's better for my health, and my kids are learning to think ahead for themselves. If you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, or if your kids are still tiny, I hope this gives you some hope and a plan.
Darla DeMorrow is a Wayne, PA mom, professional organizer and author. This post was adapted from her blog Heartwork Organizing. She also blogs at The Pregnant Entrepreneur. You can also circle her on Google+.
