I originally saw your idea to empty your purse each time you come home on this video some time ago, but only recently implemented it. I'm a terrible minimalist in that I have a zillion bags in all shapes, sizes and colors. But because I like to switch them out a lot, it's nice to simply empty it. I have a drawer in my living room with little trays to put the purse contents in. Helps keep from things getting lost in my purse or extra junk piling up. Keeps me organized. I also keep my coupons and things I need to take to errands in there (library book to return, a loaned tupperware container for when I see my friend next, etc.) So far so good.

After reading more about minimalism, and watching a number of videos, I switched over to this purse (it's by Fossil). The leather color is unavailable on the Fossil website, but you can find it on other sites if you search (and search and search ...) with the sort of obsession reserved for the Holy Grail and the New World! :) I downsized from a large purse to the Fossil bag and have been very pleased. I also downsized my previously large wallet to a small Fossil wallet that's very compact (2 debit cards, 1 credit card, my DL, and a single check from my checkbook register). In my bag, I have my small wallet, my phone, my keys, our medical cards, and some tinted lip balm. That's it - which is pretty impressive for a mother of five. It feels really good to let go of so much extraneous STUFF. Very freeing.

Love this!! I've had my eye on this bag for several months now. The bag i've been using the past 2 years is starting to wear out, so I think it may be time to upgrade! I'm so glad I found your channel! I love finding other minimalist youtubers. Looking forward to more vids from you!

Love the idea of removing things from the bag and putting in the tray! Brilliant!

I’ve been binge-watching so many of your videos I have learned so much! Been giving a like to every one to help you out, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing all of your tips!

I recently purchased a very large bag that can serve as both an everyday purse and a book-bag for college (and it fits my laptop if I decide to bring that too). That way I don't have to carry multiple bags to school. Right now I have in it: wallet, keys, book, 2 pocket planners/journals, dog treats, tissues, pens, tactical knife, lotion, lip balm, tampons. And then sometimes I bring my travel-sized makeup bag and my lunch, if necessary.

I love your bag! This is an interesting video, I have a lot more in my bagn though it's not that big : glasses, sunglasses, a pen, an agenda, a hand sanitizer, a handkerchief, office keys...

Hi, Melody! I love your videos, I'm not a minimalist completely but you're definately swaying me lol. I have a family of five and I have dreams of a life less cluttered and choatic. I love you videos because I'm always learning something new or something I know but you apply it in a different way. So thank you for making my days a little brighter , a lot less heavy and most of all... more informed. I wanted to share a tip with you because I to have long hair. I suffer from headaches/migraines. I did notice when I took some weight off by cutting my hair it started to reduce the number of headaches that I have greatly. I have really thick hair so I also have it thinned out as well from time to time if I don't want length cut off. It makes a big difference, I hope this tip helps. Although, I know most woman like us who have long hair are partial to keeping it that way lol.

this is one of my favorite melody videos.

Starts showing "what's in my purse" at 3:39

wow, you keep your cat in the bag?

Love your simplicity. I need a little larger bag. Do you carry the same bag year around? That is a goal of mine but I doubt if I ever get down to just one 😊

I keep a small card holder, a coin purse for coins and cash, a mirror, a miniature container of tums, a flash drive, keys, phone, lip balm and usually a lip color or two! Geez now it sounds like a lot but I use it all regularly and I keep it all in a tiny bag from h & m. The thing I like about my tiny purse is if I need to carry a big bag for work, travel, etc, I can just tuck my tiny purse in there. I'm so glad I ditched my big zip wallet, I just ended up carrying excess cards I didn't need, my receipts would pile up, change would pile up... I had piles of expired coupons. Way too much stuff!

My husband bought it for my birthday after I told him about it. This colour is out of stock so I got a pink one, super love it! And great video! Fossil should pay u for the ad though.

I have a bigger bag. But it often waits in the car for me when I go to the store. Some things: small towel, hand cream, nail clippers, tissue, microfiber cloth for cleaning my glasses, oil blotting paper, anti-histamine lotion (small size), & mp3 player.

That's a great idea of keeping your purse by the door! Love the purse by the way!!!

Love your video, But just one thing, it's cold in Cali in the winter. True, not like the rest of the country, but it does get cold.

I have a bag from Jesabelle B. She is on Etsy. Her bag slips over my wrist. I'm a nurse caring for my Mom. When I push the wheelchair while on appointments with Mom, I can meet track of the bag. I keep the cards we use Debit cards, medical, lipstick(L'Oréal Caramel latte) or gloss( Neutrogena Berry), and house key. It measures eight inches at the base and 13 inches for height. Mine is in Denim. Jesabelle makes a bigger bag and she has a variety colors white, light blue, and Denim.

Cute bag :) I would never fit all my stuff that I need in small bag... I need my planner, wallet, ipad, water bottle, glasses etc... :)

I have,purse with money and cards in, watch( I only ever need it when I'm at work or someplace I have to go where I need to turn off my phone), personal alarm (I walk to work at 3am in the morning), migraleve ( I get migraines), deodorant, small hair brush, keys ( one house key one locker key). I often will also have my phone,earphones, fem products ,name badge and a hankie when in use xx

I do the 5 finger rule: phone, keys, wallet, chapstick, and hand sanitizer OR mints. :)

I also carry sun glasses coz I live in a sunny city. What would you suggest to carry a water bottle? coz I don't like to buy water bottles when I'm out.

I have the same handbag as you (that I recently received) and learned how to double up my crossbody strap thanks to your video! Thank you!

Thanks for sharing! :) I just recently did a "What's In My Bag?" video...which ended up as a cross between "minimalist" and "mom bag." LOL I have three small children, and while I like to go fairly minimal, I also like to be prepared. ;) I love how your bag can convert to a clutch - that's such a chic style! :)

I used to have really bad headache, since I m on paleo it's gone. And try do whole30. Just Google it.

My bag: Sharpie Pen (doubles as permanent marker) Small spiral notebook or mini moleskin Keychain zippered pouch (as my "wallet") Rescue inhaler Cell Phone Lipstick Hair tie Keys with small flashlight and whistle I find that my bag needs to have a little form to it because while I don't get headaches often, I occasionally have asthma and inhalers are unfortunately rather bulky. I realized that wallets were bulky and made it more likely for me to collect junk and receipts, so I now use a small zippered key ring pouch just a little bigger than a business card. Because it's got a key ring, I can easily hook it to my pant loop or attach keys for a fuss free low key outing. I unzip it and can easily see my id, medical/insurance card, giftcards (which are rare), and credit card. I only carry feminine products around the time I need them, and depending on whether or not I'm going to be in close proximity conversing with others, I will bring a mini Altoids tin.

Hi What about a comb, calendar book, and no phone? What would you do in an emergency and you need to call? I respect and admire your opinion on living a mini list life, but dear we live in a different world now where you can’t even find a phone booth if you need to make or receive an important call. However you have given me many great ideas; thank you.

i'd love to own a bag this teeny. i am curious - with a bag this small, how you carry more "seasonal" items for example - an umbrella, gloves, a hat etc? where do you put these kinds of things when you take them off when you reach your destination? for me, a bag definitely has to have a little extra storage capacity.

I know it's been a long time since you posted this video. But I was wondering if this one bag is still working for you? Also have you had any issues with color transfer with such a little colored bag? Thank you! 😊

How about doing a video on how to care for this bag as I notice it gets dirty easily.

I'm always trying to minimize my diaper bag! It's so hard. I've found keeping a bag or caddy in the car with the extra clothes, diapers, toys, or food helps. If we are going somewhere close to home I chance and don't even take it with me. I'm talking 5 mins or so.

Exact style of your Fossil bag in the video?

I keep hand sanitizer and tissues in my purse too!

Your cat is adorable. Great video. Thank you for sharing :)

i'm so bad with bags bc i want to carry my life with me 'just in case' and honestly it's soooo bad for me! i switch between a purse and a backpack, for work and school, and i don't go to both on the same days (six classes does not allow for that lol.) i have been trying to keep my bags light for a looooong time but i always muck it up. i switch a little beauty bag from bag to bag, and it really only has hygeine products, lotion, hand sanitiser, a mirror, and a chapstick. my wallet has too many cards in it but i have been culling it down too, i want to do an extreme cull soon. i had it so clean not that long ago and now it's all blown up again lol. i also carry my passion planner everywhere, and i've been itching to draw more on the go so i started bringing my moleskin along as well. i want to keep another journal for random thoughts with me, but i've barely used it so i think i'll park that at home and write after my day is done. i also carry an overly stuffed pencil case 'just in case' haha. i only tend to use a black pen that sits in my planner and a pencil for class. bah! well, i only started my journey about two months ago; i've culled out so much of my room, all of my closet, and am now tackling the last two drawers (random beauty crap) as i try to get rid of my clothes, and trying to organise my digital stuff. (hi, gamer here with 300+ games. plus photographer, artist, and just in general a person with an interest of pretty pictures. also kinda music and book obsessed, and really just kinda overly interested in too many things.)

I love the wallet but I don't see a link to it.

I usually carry a medium sized backpack or a tote bag to work. Inside I keep my_ -umbrella -pens & a few Sharpies (to sign out for work) -tablet (occasionally) -a book (I tend to pick ones that are 'pocket' editions) -deodorant -Travelo with perfume (very rarely, I tend to just spritz perfume on before I leave the house) -very small hand lotion (I picked up a charity pot from Lush the other day, it's perfect and small and quite moisturizing) -notebook -phone, but that's usually in my pocket because I listen to music using the Spotify app -bus pass -keys -wallet -recycling bag -lunch box & fork I could probably pair these items down, but there are already the essentials for me. Sometimes, I leave some things out, like my notebook, and that is often the day that I end up needing it. Or I'll leave my umbrella and it'll start to rain haha! I don't think it would be very practical for me to use a small bag like yours for my day-to-day work use, but I could probably pair down during my days off!

Are you still using this bag? How is it holding up?

love the bag and color :-)

I only carry a phone wallet with my phone, of course, my drivers license, debit card, target card, Walmart discount card and EBT card and lastly I keep a screen cleaner underneath phone. And if I drive I carry my keys but if I go out with my husband I leave my keys at home because he will carry his. The only thing that doesn't fit in my phone wallet that I might occasionally reach for is floss.

Where do I find the 'over the door' organizer you showed with the trays in it for your bag items when you take them out of your bag? I want one! :) Thanks! (If you don't know where you got it, what would you call it or how do you define it to 'search' for it online?

is that a green screen becuase the lamp is bigger than you

constant headached are usually related to diet and dehydration. the pills mask the symptom rather than resolve the issue. With that said, I agree regarding the heavy bags women carry and how this pulls the shoulders. I carry a backpack for this reason. Plus, it frees my hands. I carry a canvas clutch and leave the backpack if I am only carrying my keys and large phone.

I traveled a lot by car, with my grandchildren. I would keep a plastic covered container in the trunk of my car packed with books, paper, crayons, pencils, games, non perishable snacks, Kleenex, wipes, well, everything a kid might need for a 3 hr drive. I also purchased a portable DVD player (best thing ever). Everything in one place.

The things we carry are quite similar except that I always, always have a small bottle of water with me. I really love the size of your bag but I think mine would have to be a little bit bigger because of the bottle :)

I have a very similar bag and keep my wallet, lip balm, keys, a tampon, eye drops, hand sanitizer and my cell phone. how do you get by without your phone in public? curious.

how about cellphone ? NICE BAG I LIKE IT !

I have a much bigger bag because i have a kid, in my bag I have bottle of water, snack for my kid- such as dry fruits or cookies, bag of wet ones, tylenol, pad, lipstick, lotion, small perfume bottle, sunglasses since i live in florida, cellphone, wallet, zipper bag of coupons.

What bag is this??

Or Arizona. 😊

I would love to have a minimalist purse.... But where do you put your gun? I just have a .38 derringer so it's very small, but real little purses still don't work.

I looooooove this video and your very cute bag! I keep a bigger one because I always take my ereader with me and a camera and they end up taking up a lot of space! But I use them constantly so I never want to leave them behind.

hi great video! if you get a lot of "female" headaches you should try the herb Don Quoi (not sure on the spelling) I used it a lot in my 30's and it's great. The other very common cause is grinding your teeth at night, and your dentist can make you something called a bite splint to wear at night. Also works great. Since my kids are grown I keep minimal things in my purse, which is also a cross body bag, but my purse is fabric (vera bradley) so it's washable and best of all it has a built in wallet. If I'm just running a quick errand I take my cell phone and drivers license, maybe cash or one credit card. I do have a small cardholder only wallet that fits 4 cards if I want to just put stuff in my pocket, like going to a busy outdoor fair or market, where I maight be carrying a grocery tote etc. is enjkying your videos very much :)

Hi melody, in your opinion, is a minimalist born or made? I'm having such a hard time decluttering and in just wondering how I can help myself,other than reading books and watching videos like yours. did you grow into minimalism or were you always pared down? thanks

Oh, and Your cat is reallllllllyyyy cute :D

I love this! :)

Love the bag's size and ability to detach but it's leather :(

Miss you on KZfaq 😔

a car tour!

That's too many keys. I only have my car keys and some store cards. :) great vid.

Hand sanitizer is so important

I have my phone, a Japanese coin purse, my m&ms wallet, a hand sanitizer, my rubber bands for braces, a lip stick and my house key

I always have my phone, wallet and a water bottle with me and depending on where I'm going, with who and which house I'm at, I have my keys with me.

I have my wallet(men's because it saves more space), lotion, gum, lip balm, nail file, keys, phone charger, and a pocket knife.

planet earth is in my bag 😑

I keep my keys, phone, and wallet in my bag!

i keep my wallet, lotion, hand sanitizer, mint, travel perfume, &

I wear shorts under my dresses so I don't have to carry a bag and it's not noticeable. I carry my wallet, keys, phone, and some tissues, one item in each pocket.

wallett, keys, aspirin, hand sanitizer, mints, carmex and if its a big bag im carrying..smartwater or fiji

talks too much.

Darlin your anxiety is clearly through the roof. You do not need to dive into a lifestyle choice because it simply gives you control. So does anorexia. You clearly have compulsion issues. I wish you luck but you need to talk to someone