What’s in My Bag? Chaos, Comfort & A Hint of Unhealed Trauma

I love a good TikTok video where someone calmly unpacks their bag, takes us through every item, and somehow soothes my nervous system in the process. There’s something wildly comforting about organised chaos — which might explain why my own bag has become a permanent extension of my body.

My husband doesn’t understand why I need to take it to bed, to the shops, or why it’s banned from hikes (although… it has joined me on a walk or two).

I won’t post a video (yet — I am tempted to start grocery hauls, but we’re not there… yet), but I will say this: the contents of this bag? They make sense. At least to me. Somewhere between the lip balm graveyard, the receipts from 2022, and the emotional support hand sanitiser lies a system.

A system that allows me to run Levogel Marketing, manage life’s chaos, and still pretend I have it together.

Whether you’re a marketer, a freelancer, or just someone who finds peace in overpacking, here’s a peek into the things I don’t leave the house without.

Welcome to my 2025 essentials — a curated collection of comfort, control, and just a little unprocessed trauma.

The Bag(s)

You’re probably going to spot a few trends in my stuff — namely: similar tones, soft structure, and a mild obsession with Country Road and Longchamp. Look, I don’t do chaos without coordination.

The bag I carry depends entirely on my stress levels, the number of devices I need to haul, and whether I’m in “freelance tornado” or “just popping to the shops” mode.

Longchamp Le Pliage Original M Tote in Khaki – the everyday MVP. She’s chic, light, and emotionally supportive.

Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Travel Bag in Beige/Fawn – for when I’m pretending I’m going away but actually just have back-to-back meetings.

Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Expandable in Navy – expands and enables my overpacking habit. A beautiful enabler.

Country Road Nylon Backpack in Black – for work shoots or gym days when I need my hands free and emotional damage zipped up tightly.

Country Road Heritage Shopper in Navy – the one that says “I’ve got errands, but make it aesthetic.”

Each one is a loyal companion in its own way — just don’t ask me to choose a favourite. I already feel bad enough when I leave one behind.

The Bags Within the Bag

Ah yes — the real stars of the show. This is where things go from “Oh, cute bag!” to “Why are you carrying a pharmacy, a stationery aisle, and a tech store in there?”

Let me introduce you to the key players:

Country Road Medium Cosmetic Nylon in Black. The main character. If this bag had a LinkedIn, its job title would be “Emotional Support System.” Inside? Urbanol, lighters I don’t need, a crystal (for balance, obviously), and anything else I might need to survive the day — or a minor apocalypse.

Labelled Envelope-Style Clip Sleeves. Because I may not be a Virgo, but I do like knowing exactly where my car receipts, cash stash, and expense claims live. These are all labelled, colour-coded, and very serious about their purpose:

• Personal Spending

• Expense Claims

• Car Receipts

• Cash / Tips / Stray Coins

They live in the bag like they pay rent.

The Chaos Within the System

Deodorant and hairspray? Check. Six different types of eye drops? Naturally. Cables for devices I don’t even use anymore? Of course. Also in attendance: my wallet, Kindle, AirPods Pro 2, a rotating selection of vapes (flavour mood dependent), and an endless supply of Tic Tacs. Mentally and physically prepared? Always. Overdoing it? Absolutely. You need something? I probably have it.

The Essentials (That Aren’t Technically Essential… But Absolutely Are)

Some people carry their phone, wallet, and keys. I carry that plus a portable office, a stationery collection, and the entire Dis-Chem skincare aisle — because you just never know.

My MacBook Pro M4 in Black is with me almost always. She’s sleek, moody, and serious about deadlines (even if I’m not). She lives next to two Moleskine Large Soft Cover Ruled Notebooks — one black, one khaki — because my brain needs to compartmentalise ideas, to-do lists, emotional spirals, and client notes with dignity.

Then there’s the pen situation. I carry a Lamy Fountain Pen, a Lamy Ballpoint, and a rainbow selection of Pilot G-2 0.7s, because colour coordination = mental clarity. If my notes aren’t pretty, I don’t trust them.

You’ll almost always find my Stanley Quencher in hand. Sometimes two. Hydration is part of the aesthetic. If I’m carrying my big bag, she fits... just not in a G Class, annoying! If I’m carrying a smaller bag, she travels with me like she’s my emotional support giant.

The car keys are a wild card. Who knows what they belong to, but they’re in there. There’s always a set, even if I’m not 100% sure which car they belong to. Chaos, but with transport options.

Now, let’s talk scent. I don’t leave the house without Loewe Aire Anthesis — it’s soft, fresh, and gives the impression that I have my life together, even when I’m spiralling over fonts. Smelling good is non-negotiable. It’s self-respect in mist form. Also somewhere in the mix: The Ordinary Face Cream (hydration on demand), my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and an embarrassing number of power banks. Seven, to be exact. Because nothing screams “I’ve got this” like being fully charged while emotionally drained.

And finally, the Cartier Love Ring. My sign of love, and often, due to overstimulation, tossed loosely into a pouch because sometimes my fingers get sore or I need to type at speed without feeling like I’m being handcuffed by elegance.

Coming Soon to a Bag Near You…

Look, as someone who already carries half their home in a handbag, there’s always room for just one more thing. And lately, I’ve realised there’s a serious gap in my system — one that’s affecting my quality of life far more than it should. Chilli oil. Yes, I’m being serious. The number of bland meals I’ve suffered through while whispering “If only I had some chilli oil” is getting out of hand. So in 2025, we’re levelling up. I will be that person who pulls out a mini bottle of homemade chilli oil like it’s Tabasco in a handbag at Spur. And I will not apologise.

Because if I’m going to carry my entire life in a bag, I might as well carry the spice, too.

So yes — my bag is full. Of stuff, of chaos, of me. It’s part survival kit, part mobile office, part emotional support system. People might laugh (usually my husband), but everything in there has earned its place… more or less. Whether it’s a power bank for the fifth dead device, a pen in the exact shade of navy I need, or soon, a very necessary bottle of chilli oil — it all serves a purpose. Because at the end of the day, being over-prepared isn’t a flaw. It’s a lifestyle. And this bag? It carries the tools, the energy, and the unhinged optimism I need to survive running a business, managing life, and pretending I’m not a walking to-do list in neutral tones.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to reorganise everything — just in case.