A Purse on Your Shoulder

I looked around the busy restaurant.

Nearly every single woman had a purse. Most carried large bags on their shoulders, holding who-knows-what. Some had small clutches.

I go out at night with my driver’s license, my debit card, my cell phone and maybe some lipstick if I’m slightly dressy. This all fits in my pockets. If I’m wearing a dress, my boyfriend carries my ID and debit card.

I do not want to give myself a shoulder ache hoisting a bag full of hairspray, makeup, hairbrush, two cell phones (work and personal), chap stick, four pens, Kleenex, gum, mints and … you get the idea.

Every woman has a right to her purse. But next time you pick up your three-pound bag to head out for a night on the town, think about all that stuff you’re carrying around. Sure, it’s great to keep those arms toned, but why else do you carry it? How long have you been carrying it? When was the last time you used some of those items?

Janice often talks about the weight of clutter in our lives. If you’re ready to organized, the purse is a good first place to start because that clutter is literally carried with you.

Some of these women, no doubt, are carrying those bags because they’re in style. I can’t comment on that; I’m no fashionista.

But I will say this. A male friend of mine noticed I wasn’t carrying a purse out with me to get drinks with friends. He asked my boyfriend about it.

“Jen’s not a purse kind of girl,” my boyfriend explained.

He replied, “Well then, she’s a keeper.”