Bags Challenge
BAGS! Purses, backpacks, fanny packs, totes, duffels, carry-ons, messengers, clutches, shopping bags, beach bags, insulated picnic bags, gift bags, toiletry travel bags, etc. etc. Holy Jeebus, there’s so many types of bags and they have a tendency to pile up over time, smooshed into the back of closets, trunks of cars, and under the sink. Here’s the conundrum, Bags are useful and necessary! They have a job, they hold our stuff when we need to go somewhere and function as temporary organizing systems when we’re at home. But our needs evolve over time and many of us end up with a LARGE collection of bags that we rarely use.
This month’s challenge is to gather all the bags in your home, (though you may want to do this in waves by type of bag depending on the kinds you have the most of. Gather them from all over your home, car, and life (got any stashed at work?) even bring together the ones that are in use and have stuff in them. I’ve got questions to help you sort through and let many of them go. You might want to grab a trash bag or box for the treasures you’ll find inside. We’re dealing with bags today, so give yourself permission to work on one task at a time and save sorting the stuff you find inside for later (except trash and old food, straight in the trash bag) Scroll to the bottom for more on what to do with the “let it go” pile.
In General: Are there any in the pile with a broken zipper, holes, fraying handles, or other wear and tear that has caused you to NOT pick that bag when it’s time to pack up for an outing? Can it be repaired for less than the cost of replacing the bag, and what’s the likelihood that chore will make it to the top of your todo list? Not gonna happen? Let them go.
Purses, bags, clutches, and fanny packs: Do you have multiple “fancy” bags or clutches but only have a fancy night out once or twice a year? Your precious closet space is for your most beloved possessions, not a pile of bags that don't really work for you anymore. It’s okay to let most of these go. Choose two or three favorites and a place in your closet where they’ll be safe. For your collection of stylish day bags, are they getting smashed in a pile or hidden behind all the jackets on the coat rack? For choosing the bags that are worthy of staying in rotation, ask yourself if any of them show off your style or feel really trustworthy? Do any of them always slip off your shoulder, or make annoying noises when you walk (clinky zippers drive me nuts, yay audio processing disorders) Let them go.
School backpacks: It’s summer, so a great time to empty and clean out your kid’s backpacks. I found a moldy muffin, an unreturned library book, and several “Caught Being Good” awards at the bottom of one child’s backpack last week. Goodluck with the grossness! Backpacks can go through the wash and might be useful for another year. Sometimes a bigger sibling’s old backpack has an element of coolness that can’t be bought, and saves you another back to school purchase.
Luggage: Look for damage and reasons you don’t choose that piece when it’s time to travel. Is it worth repairing or will you just keep not choosing that bag. I understand the urge to have a backup, just in case, but be careful that doesn’t turn into having five backups. If you bought a full set of suitcases but only ever use two of them, it’s okay to let the others go.
Laptop bags: If it’s been sitting in the back of your closet with an outdated unused laptop inside, now’s the time to remove the old computer and add it to the e-waste pile to be wiped clean later. Books and papers still inside, find a box to sort and file those later too. I find laptop bags are bulky, and seem more prone to mildew than other bags. If you’re not actively using it on a regular basis, let these go and free up that closet space.
Outdoorsy backpacks: Only you can be honest with yourself about how many of these you really need. I keep one backpack that’s gross, specifically for paddle boarding, and one backpack specifically for my kid’s fishing gear, but my regular daily backpack gets used for hiking because I already know it’s comfortable for carrying stuff all day. If you’re an avid outdoorsperson, and want options for different length trips, I get that, so look in the pile for duplicates or ones that maybe you’d use more if they just had a wash. Let go of the ones you haven’t used in years, and remember, just because it was expensive doesn’t mean you have to store it forever. If you don’t use it, let it go.
Beach Totes and Picnic Bags: Take a minute to think about how many of these you think is a reasonable amount to own. Do you go on huge picnics with big groups, you might need five or six of these, but you might not. Having a lot of extras makes it easier to procrastinate cleaning them out afterwards. If you only have one or two, you have to clean them so they’re ready for the next trip. Where do these live in your home? If you’re really good about cleaning and drying them, then they store well stuffed inside the biggest one. They’re similar enough to the next category, it would make sense if they were stored together.
Fabric/Reusable Shopping Bags: I love the versatility of these, and some hold up for years, so think about the space you’re willing to allocate to store these. In my home, there is one storage cube for shopping totes and since it’s full, no matter the urge, I know there’s no reason to acquire more totes. For this category, choose the ones you actually use for shopping and find your storage spot that’s accessible, which might be in your car. Remember, If it can’t be easily washed, it’s not a good tote for groceries. Now for the pile of bags that you are ready to get rid of, I’m giving you permission to NOT do it, unless it’s shredded and totally unusable. If you’re planning on doing any more decluttering, these bags are your donation bags. Or anytime you need to take something out of the house that you don’t plan on bringing back, these are the bags for that. There is a hilarious episode of We Bare Bears called Tote Life where their obsession with totes takes over. It’s oddly relatable, lol.
Toiletry Travel and vinyl makeup bags: I have to confess, I switched to using a ziploc freezer bag for toiletries when I’m traveling. The collection of thick vinyl bags, slightly sticky with toothpaste or shampoo drips bummed me out, so I got rid of them all, and only use ziplocs, which can be recycled once they start breaking down. That’s not going to work for everybody, obviously. For some people, having a solid water-tight toiletry bag is important, and that’s great, but if you have old ones that you’re not using, it’s okay to let them go. They accumulate, just like those vinyl makeup bags that come as free gifts. If you use those to keep toiletries organized, great, but the empty ones taking up space under your bathroom sink, or being stashed inside a suitcase, it’s time to declutter those and let them go.
And More… like those little mesh drawstring jewelry bags, do you really use them? It’s okay to throw them away. Pencil bags that are really dirty from lead and shavings? Can you clean it? You can give them away. I could keep going, but the point is you have permission to let go of bags that aren’t serving a purpose in your home right now. Give yourself the gift of space, physically and mentally.
Letting Go: broken, holey, and unusable bags will need to go in the trash, BUT, if you have the time, cut out the fabric to add to your “threads” recycling bag and reduce your landfill a bit. I saw a cute suggestion of repurposing leather straps as pet leashes, or turning pockets into wallets. If you’re crafty like that, I commend you, but be honest with yourself about the likelihood of that project happening, or maybe only hold onto one bag for this, not all of them. For bags in average condition that you just don’t use anymore, donate. Give them the chance of a new life with a new owner. I’ve heard grumblings that the buy/sell/trade market for used clothes and bags is saturated at the moment, but if your bags are particularly good brands and in great condition, it could be worth the effort to try and sell them. I’m adding more resources to the Ethical Disposal Page all the time. Check it out for ideas on getting things repaired, donation locations, or selling options.
Happy Culling!