Have you ever wondered how your purse became so heavy? Women have actually sustained shoulder, neck and back injuries from carrying heavy bags. So what can you do to make your purse lighter to prevent an injury and so it’s easier to carry? These’re the 7 steps you need to lighten up your heavy purse.
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1. Clean out the Trash
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It’s so easy to stuff a straw paper or a used Kleenex down in your purse. You probably find receipts in there, too. While these things don’t weigh a lot, they can add up. They also clutter up your purse so that you can’t find anything. Disorganization is going to lead to a heavier purse so make sure you clean the trash out regularly.
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Regularly decluttering your purse is an absolute game-changer. It’s shocking how fast little bits and pieces can accumulate at the bottom of your bag, turning it into a chaotic black hole. Every so often, take a few moments to deliberately sort through the contents of your purse. Discard trash, file away important receipts, and organize your essentials. This practice not only lightens your load but also helps maintain a sense of order, making it easier to locate items quickly when you need them. Think of it as a mini detox for your daily carryall!
2. Consider a Separate Diaper Bag 👶
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Babies need a lot of things. Diapers, wipes, extra clothing, bottles, toys and many other items are required in baby care. Some women choose an extra large purse and combine their handbag and diaper bag into one and that’s okay if that’s what you prefer. But if the goal is to lighten your purse then separating the two bags will be a tremendous help. You’ll be amazed how much lighter your purse feels!
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Having two specific bags helps you organize better—one for your baby essentials and the other solely for your personal items. Not only does this balance the weight, but it also ensures that you can find what you need quickly without digging through a mix of pacifiers and lipsticks. Consider practicality and functionality when choosing a diaper bag. It should have multiple compartments and be easy to clean, as spills are a common occurrence with little ones. With this setup, a day out with your baby becomes less of a juggling act and more of a breeze.
Frequently asked questions
Girl, we've all been there! Sometimes we stuff our purses with everything but the kitchen sink. It’s about downgrading and only carrying what you truly need. Trust me, your shoulders will thank you!
First things first, declutter! Only keep essentials. Opt for a lightweight bag like nylon or canvas, and avoid super heavy materials. Less is more!
Think multitasking! A phone with a built-in charger, compact mirror with hidden compartments, or a mini flashlight. Keeps your load light but equipped.
Start by prioritizing essentials. You'll be surprised how little you actually need. Upgrade to wallets with fewer compartments, and embrace the minimalist lifestyle.
Nylon bags are super light and durable. A lightweight leather option can also do the trick—just make sure it’s quality leather that’s not bulky.
3. Fish the Extra Lipsticks out 💄
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This’s a common problem women have. Lipsticks go in but they don’t come out. You apply your lipstick in the morning and then tuck it in your purse so you’ll have it for touchups throughout the day. But it’s really easy to forget to return it to your makeup storage at the end of the day. After a week or so of this, you can build up quite a collection of lipsticks in your purse, which contributes to making it heavy.
4. Determine What You Truly Need
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Have you played The Purse Game? To quickly sum this up, it’s a game based on earning points by what you have in your purse. You can see a lot of strange things come out of women’s purses during The Purse Game. It’s a real life example of how women carry various things they don’t need. Take a look through your purse and condense it down to what you truly need.
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The ritual of cleansing one's purse can be enlightening. Toss duplicates, skip any just-in-case items, and look for smaller, multi-purpose alternatives. Consider downsizing to a smaller wallet, perhaps carrying only essential cards and a bit of cash. Apps can replace loyalty cards and coupons. Ask yourself if each item earns its keep for daily use. Do you really need five lipsticks on hand, or will one versatile shade do? By choosing only the essentials, not only will your purse light in weight, but your daily routine will simplify as well.
5. Clean out Your Wallet
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Wallets can become heavy in and of themselves! They need a clean out every now and then, too. Most of us carry far more than we truly use in our wallets. Take out the business cards, receipts and store loyalty cards that’re outdated. You may even be able to switch to a smaller wallet, further lightening your purse.
6. Change Purses
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One idea to help you have a lighter purse is to switch purses altogether. The bigger your bag, the more stuff you’re going to cram in it. It just kind of expands to fill the empty space. When you carry a small purse you’ll have to clearly evaluate what is and isn’t important to carry along. Also, a smaller purse is generally lighter than a big bag even when they’re empty so that counts, too.
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Switching purses is a great way to lighten your load. Not only will you be able to evaluate what is important to carry, but a smaller purse is also usually lighter than a bigger bag even when empty. In addition, it is important to consider the material of the purse. Leather purses are generally heavier than purses made of other materials, such as canvas. Furthermore, it is also important to consider the number of pockets and compartments when selecting a purse. The more compartments, the more items you can store without feeling weighed down. Finally, consider the size of the purse and the items you need to carry in it. A larger purse may be necessary if you need to carry a lot of items, but if you only need to carry a few items, a smaller purse may be a better choice.
7. Develop Better Habits Going Forward
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One thing that can help you to have a lighter purse is to develop better purse habits going forward. Don’t wait until your purse is a disaster before you have a big cleanout. Try to do that weekly or at least bi-weekly. Don’t allow trash or unneeded things to make their way into your purse, either. With these tips you can have a lovely, light purse that’s a pleasure to carry.
I hope this offered you some helpful tips to lighten up your purse. Does your purse get too heavy on occasion? Which of these tips did you need?
Comments
Harlea: Only thing I don't agree on is that you don't have to change your purse. If you love it and goes with everything use as much you want, I own like almost 100 purses I'm crazy comes to them so you can only imagine how much I keep changing my mind and purses
Pat: I have a terrible time with this. I've learned. Carry only the stuff I NEED. And hunt, hunt, hunt for the perfect size (medium) and style (cross body with plenty of pockets) to suit my personality!
Courtney: This post was very helpful. I hate keeping a junky handbag and not being able to find what I need! 😶
peony: So true a smaller bag has allowed me to get rid of utter rubbish
Thelma62913: I need to buy smaller bags because I carry so much. I thought I cleaned mine out when I changed bags last week, but my shoulder is still killing me.
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