the neurodivergent bug-out bag
i debated publishing this one, because it seems so obvious: have a bag, put your stuff in it.
but honestly, once i started thinking of my backpack as an accessibility tool, my stress level plummeted and my tumultuous relationship with Physical Items changed (for the better).
i am a car-free human, so everything that i need when i am out and about goes in my backpack. this means that space is at a premium, but ALL my necessities need to be in there when i leave the house— or i’m basically fucked.
you might already have a bag or purse, but are you using it as an accessibility tool?
if you have anxiety or adhd, you might benefit from having a neurodivergent bug-out bag too.
the #1 rule is: control your flow of stuff and minimize losing things when out and about by putting things in your bag as soon as you acquire/use them.
with the exception of food trays for immediate consumption and large shopping items, everything that you handle goes directly in the bag.
for example, wallet starts out in the bag. i take it out to pay at the coffee shop. rather than putting it in my pocket, it goes straight back in the bag. picking up meds at the pharmacy? they immediately go in the bag. snacks from the gas station? go in the bag. water bottle? don’t leave it at your desk at work, put it in the damn bag.
that way, when you leave a place, you ONLY have to remember one thing: the bag.
the #2 rule is: clean it out regularly.
because the bag is the ONE item you are taking from place to place, it can easily get full of bullshit and nonsense and then you have to carry all that around. fuck that. save your back— take stuff out regularly.
a final note: this system takes some practice/tweaking— and will not work for everyone. like all ADHD hacks, ymmv!
bags i recommend
don’t go out and buy a new bag just because you read this article. (i see you!) use something you’ve already got for now!
however, i do have some recommendations for your choices.
it should be easy to carry around. you might want padded straps, or at least sturdy ones.
it should be medium-sized– too small and it will not be useful, but too big and it will inevitably grow to contain the kitchen sink and other heavy items.
it should fit a variety of objects. for example, many messenger style bags are meant for flat stuff like laptops and notebooks, but would not hold a thicker item like a water bottle or a tupperware.
i recommend something with different pockets, but not an excessive amount. (if you really like a bag but it doesn’t have good pockets, consider acquiring some makeup/pencil pouches and using those to divide items into categories.)
what to put in the bag
the key with a bug-out bag is to have your absolutely necessary items in it without overcrowding it. this may take some experimentation. ask yourself: if i was stuck somewhere overnight, what would i absolutely need? (for me, it’s a dose of meds and a phone charger.) put it in the bag!
you may need fidgets, earpro, or other accessibility tools too— that’s great, but try to minimize to the essentials. don’t carry a bunch of stuff you seldom use. you can always switch them out if you like!
if you take pills daily or regularly (and especially the kind that cause bad withdrawal) i HIGHLY recommend taking an extra dose with you wherever you go. if they’re over the counter, maybe have a few doses! DO NOT carry an entire bottle of prescription pills, just in case you lose your bag!
obligatory note of whimsy: leave room in your bag for treasures you may find out in your adventures! this includes pretty rocks… as well as stuff like snacks from the corner store.
for inspo, my essentials:
wallet
keys
extra phone charger (cord AND block)
earbuds w/ case
chapstick
water bottle (i use a small 16oz one because i’d rather fill it up often than carry around six pounds of water lol)
extra dose of meds in a little special container!
bus pass
notice that this is NOT enough to fill up my backpack completely— that’s on purpose. while i am out and about, my new acquisitions (like library books!) will still fit in it.
further inspo: the house purse
i have had this one in the drafts for a while, and the idea of the “house purse” became popular while i was writing it. your neurodivergent bug-out bag can DEFINITELY also double as a house purse. i know because i’ve been using it that way for months!
however, using your bag around the house too DOES mean that you may need to make more frequent attempts to clean out bullshit that accumulates in it.