Minimalism: How a Simple Handbag Changed My Life

Last month, my sister-in-law gifted me a handbag.

Now, I’m quite particular about the bags I carry to work. I usually go with ones with multiple partitions, lots of zippers—basically, bags that can accommodate all the things I might need during the day. A comb, a charger, a lip balm, a pen (or three), maybe a pack of tissues, painkillers, a snack… the list goes on. Minimalism? Nowhere in sight.

But this new handbag was different. It had a simple, single compartment with no extra zips or dividers. I started carrying it to school because, very honestly, it had my favourite colour and a lovely pattern that I just couldn’t resist. Aesthetic won over practicality, and I thought, why not?

That’s when something unexpected happened.

A Gentle Shift Toward Less

As I started using the new handbag, I realized how much unnecessary stuff I had been carrying around. Slowly, I began trimming down my everyday items to just the bare essentials. No more what if I need this or I might need that. Just what I actually used. And surprisingly, it felt good. Really good!!

If you’re curious about simplifying life or want a broader view of this lifestyle, this article by Becoming Minimalist is a great place to start.

One of the most unexpected benefits?

My car key, the one thing that was always in my handbag, yet somehow, I could never find it when I needed it. I would fumble, rummage, unzip every pocket, dig through receipts and random bits, and still be clueless, until my colleagues would calmly say, “It’s in your purse. It’s always in your purse.”

They were right. But I could never find it without the drama.

Now?

With a minimal bag and fewer items, I can find my car key in seconds. No more digging. No more embarrassment in front of colleagues. Just reach in, and it’s there.

What I Stopped Carrying

This shift also made me rethink what I’d been hauling around “just in case.” A few things I finally let go of:

• Random Documents: Old school IDs, appointment slips, old bills, receipts, and god knows what else. They lived in my bag for months (some even longer), adding to the weight, physically and mentally. I finally let go of the “just in case” mindset.
• Unnecessary Medicines: Painkillers, muscle relaxants, allergy pills— they sat there quietly, waiting for a crisis that rarely arrived. Moreover, there is a pharmacy right outside the school. Turns out, I didn’t need to be a walking pharmacy after all.

What I Carry Now: My Real Essentials

These days, my handbag feels lighter—and so do I.

Here’s what I actually carry:

My car key (finally easy to find!)

My phone and charger

Money

A pen

A sunscreen, a lipstick and a kajal

A comb and a scrunchie

A hand sanitizer

A Tiny Reflection: Life Beyond the Bag

This simple handbag became a gentle teacher, showing me that minimalism isn’t about giving things up. It’s about keeping only what serves you. We often carry more than we need, not just in our bags, but in our lives.

Letting go of physical clutter in my bag made me realize how much emotional clutter I carry, too.
Worrying about the unlikely scenarios and over preparing for things that never happen. Sometimes, less really is more.

And sometimes, all it takes is a handbag in your favourite colour to help you figure that out.

If you’re curious about minimalism, start with your handbag. Empty it completely. Only put back what you used today. Do this for a week and you’ll be surprised by what you don’t miss.

Minimalism isn’t a one-time bag cleanout. It’s a mindset shift. And sometimes, it starts in the most unexpected of places.

What’s one item you always carry “just in case” but never actually use? Share it in the comments. Let’s declutter together!

Here’s to lighter living,

Harleen