When it comes to working, whether you're a full-time employee or a part-time intern, presentation and performance are vital. Yet, coming to work prepared and bringing exactly what you need is just as important. Forgetting something that you need can be one of the worst feelings ever. However, you should never overpack or schlep around a million things in an insufficient way—this will only slow you down and tire you out.
Here are 20 purse (or backpack) essentials for the female worker or intern:
1. Breath freshener
Sucking on a mint, spraying breath freshener, or chewing gum are all easy ways to ensure your breath is smelling minty fresh.
2. Hand sanitizer
Never be caught dirty-handed again.
3. Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated and save the environment at the same time.
4. Small snacks or candy
Sometimes you won't have time to grab a meal, which is why it's important to carry a little something to eat when you're hungry. Pieces of candy are a good energy booster, too!
5. Toothpicks or floss
Being self-conscious or worried that you have food stuck between your teeth is no way to live.
6. Phone charger or portable battery
Do I really need to explain this one? Also, portable batteries DO NOT have to cost you tons of money!
7. Extra contact lenses
Fellow contact-wearers know the struggle of your lenses hurting while they're in. or just falling out completely. Luckily, if you pack extra pairs of lenses, you'll never have to function without perfect eyesight while at work.
8. Umbrella
Rain doesn't have to put a damper on your workday; buy a small and inexpensive—but durable—umbrella to keep you dry without taking up too much space in your bag.
9. Aspirin and other pills, tablets, or supplements you may need
Getting a headache at work is all too real, but this doesn't mean you have to let it ruin your entire day. Always pack the things you may need to take so that you can perform and feel your best, whether it's Advil, allergy tablets, Tums, Lactaid, or any other supplement under the sun. Plus, you can keep these in a small, discrete pill case.
10. Feminine products
Ladies, this is a given; there's nothing worse than realizing you got your period without any pads or tampons with you.
11. Bandaids (and even a mini blister kit, if you really need it)
Walking around a lot for work comes with its struggles. Even though they're small, bandaids can be lifesavers sometimes. For more severe shoe troubles, you can even use a blister kit to make you feel better.
12. Travel-sized bottle of perfume (or a small stick of deodorant)
GiphyAlways smell your absolute best when you carry a little bit of body spray, perfume, or deodorant with you.
13. Pocket-sized mirror
Now you don't have to walk to the bathroom just to see what you look like.
14. Clear fashion tape (don’t knock it ‘till you try it!)
Fashion mishaps happen—even when you have to look presentable at work. This tape can solve so many clothing problems, like if a strap becomes faulty or loose, or even if your shirt is too open in the chest area; all you have to do is stick a piece of it to your body and your clothes to save your outfit.
15. A (and I cannot stress this enough) little bit of makeup
There is no need to bring your entire makeup bag to work. However, you can always bring some lip gloss to reapply whenever it starts to wear off. Your mini mirror will be perfect for this! If you're worried about blemishes, you can also pack some concealer for touch-ups throughout the day.
16. An extra pen or pencil and something small to write with
Your workplace has the supplies you need on a regular basis, but it's always good to be prepared for the unexpected.
17. A small map
I know we're not in the Stone Age and everyone relies on Google Maps and Waze for directions, but, unfortunately, phone problems are very real; network outages can occur, your phone could run out of battery, or your device may stop working unexpectedly. It's smart to print out a small map of the area surrounding your job so that you don't get lost if you can't use your phone.
18. Headphones
If you need to make a private call at work without disturbing the entire office, all you have to do is plug in some headphones and you're good to go. Plus, listening to music or a Podcast—or watching something on your phone—can make your commute less painful.
19. Some loose change and dollar bills
Just in case you're thirsty or hungry and the only way to get food or water is a vending machine, it's a good idea to keep some spare change or a few dollars tucked away somewhere.
20. An extra pair of socks or light, comfortable shoes
Sometimes, feet can be a lost cause and bandaids can only do so much; be kind to your feet and bring something to relieve them when you're walking to and from work.
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