Being a Bag Lady

So here's the deal. I am a bag lady. I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I carry all my junk around, everywhere I go. I always see those girls with their small purses or no purse at all and think to myself  'How do they do it??' On the downside my purse is always heavy and full, often giving me a shoulder ache after a couple of hours carrying it around. Plus side? I'm always prepared, even for things that are highly unlikely to happen. For example, it's the middle of the summer and we're having record breaking heat. My friends and I decide to go to the beach, so I pack my swim suit, towel, sunscreen, all the normal beach items. Except, I bring a few other things too. Like a sweater. Just in case it starts to rain, or gets cloudy. Now before you start to laugh or judge me, let me explain.

I absolutely hate being unprepared. I hate when at the last minute I decide not to bring something because my logic kicks in, and then later needing that object and wishing I had brought it. If you're like me, you totally understand. Being a bag lady is hard. But as they say, better safe than sorry.  Most of my friends know this about me. They know that I have band aids, hair ties, and pens. Or water and snacks when we're at the cinema. Sometimes even socks, hoodies, and almost always, books.

One time I was eating at the mall with my friends and one of them needed a hair tie. I handed over my bag, telling her they were in one of the pockets and I left to get some napkins from one of the food booths. When I came back, she had this weird look on her face as she tied her hair up. When she was done she said 'Why do you have fuzzy socks and two books in your bag? No wonder you've been complaining about how heavy your bag is!" I'm not even going to bother explaining that one because it's as silly as it sounds.

Another time when my grade 6 class was going on a three day camping trip, I had the biggest bag out of everyone. Before hand, my mum had helped me pack. We managed to fill a huge hockey bag with clothing, shoes, toiletries, and bedding. Yes, bedding. We we're staying in a cabin with bunk beds and my mom packed a fitted sheet, a duvet cover, and a pillow instead of a sleeping bag. Everyone made fun of me for having the biggest bag, but I was the comfiest and warmest at night while everyone else was freezing their butts off.

I will admit I carry around a lot more than I need, but who cares? At least I have water instead of buying a bottle for $4 dollars like my friends. Or I can put on a sweater when it gets cooler in the evenings. Bottom line is, being prepared isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's a good thing. It means your always thinking ahead of the game, and calculating all the possible aspects of a situation before it happens. People might make fun of you. In fact, they probably will. But only because they wish they would have thought of the things you did. So don't be afraid to over pack, or worry about bringing to much. Being a bag lady is awesome.

Stay lovely,
Dixie xox