Bags, Bags and More Bags! Oh My!



It seems people accumulate bags for a variety of reasons, most of which are rooted in practicality, sentimentality, and a sprinkle of wishful thinking. Let’s break it down:

The "Just in Case" Mindset

People keep bags for hypothetical scenarios, such as:

• "I’ll need this tote for the farmer’s market I might go to someday."
• "This tiny clutch is perfect for a fancy gala... when I get invited to one."

Bags are like safety nets for imagined futures.

Bags Breed Like Rabbits

Ever notice how you get a bag inside another bag? A free tote with a purchase here, a gift bag there—suddenly, it’s like a matryoshka doll of carriers. You didn’t buy 20 bags, they just appeared.

Fashion and Function

Each bag serves a specific purpose (or so we convince ourselves).

• A gym bag for workouts.
• A crossbody for hands-free errands.
• A work tote.
• A backup work tote.
• A vacation bag.
• A vacation-backup-work-tote-crossbody hybrid.

Fashion trends and lifestyle changes also create “essential” bag categories.

Emotional Attachments

• "This was my first designer bag."
• "My friend gave me this bag in college."
  Bags hold memories (literally and figuratively), making them harder to part with.

A False Sense of Organization

People think more bags = better organization. Ironically, these bags often end up stuffed into each other in a chaotic corner of the closet. Or else, they are filled and left all over the house. The issue here is that we can’t see what’s inside the bags, forget their contents, and eventually stop noticing that they’re contributing to the clutter around us.

The Green Guilt

With the rise of reusable bags, we’ve traded disposable for indestructible. Now, every grocery trip results in another reusable tote—enough to build a fort if necessary.

If you're tackling the bag dilemma, the solution starts with a good old-fashioned bag audit:

Step 1: Gather Them All

Round up every single bag in the house. Yes, even the one in your car trunk, the suitcase filled with tote bags, and that “secret” stash in the closet. Seeing them all together can be an eye-opener!

Step 2: Sort by Category

Group the bags into categories based on type and use, such as:

• Everyday bags (purses, crossbodies, backpacks).
• Specialty bags (gym, diaper, laptop).
• Travel bags (luggage, duffels).
• Reusable totes/shopping bags.
• Sentimental bags (yes, this gets its own category).

This makes it easier to identify duplicates or unnecessary items.

Step 3: The “Bag it or Bin it” Game

Go through each category and ask these key questions:

• Functionality: Do I actually use this? Does it still work (zippers, straps)?
• Quantity: How many of these do I really need? (Spoiler: the answer is not 12.)
• Sentimentality: Does this bag hold meaningful memories, or is it just taking up space?

If it’s broken or unused, out it goes.

Step 4: Limit and Contain

Set a reasonable limit for each category based on your lifestyle and how much space you have to store them. Only you know what that limit is, and you can always talk it through with your organizer.

Store them logically, considering best use of space and ease of use: hooks, bins, shelves. Use one bag to store a few foldable totes (not 30).

Step 5: Donate or Recycle

Donate gently used bags to local charities or shelters. Trash the ones that are no longer useable.

Bonus Tip: Avoid the Bag Trap

Create a one in, one out rule for future bag purchases. If a new bag enters your home, an old one must go. And remember, you don’t need to accept every free tote you’re offered (looking at you, event swag bags).

The result? A curated, manageable bag collection that serves your needs without taking over your house—or your life.