We’re used to carrying everything from makeup to emergency supplies in our work bags, but since working from home has become the norm over the past year, having to pack a bag each day seems like a distant memory.
Now that businesses are starting to reopen, the work bag is making a comeback, but this time your usual packing routine might look a little different.
With health and safety as top priorities, we’ve created a simplified list of the items you’ll want to repack in your work bag.
Health essentials pouch
It’s more important than ever to practice good hygiene and take extra precautions to protect ourselves from getting sick. These items are absolutely essential to keep with us as we enter public spaces again.
A face mask
This is by far one of the most important items to keep in your post-quarantine work bag. Many public places are requiring that you wear a mask to enter, so you’ll want to keep one on hand. You may also want to wear it while entering and exiting your office building.
A bottle of hand sanitizer
Being back at work means we’ll be touching surfaces that a lot of other people have touched such as door handles, water fountains, and other communal surfaces. Hand sanitizer is a must-have for the moments when we may not be able to get to a sink to wash our hands.
A pack of disinfecting wipes
It’s a good habit to wipe down your work area every day, in these new COVID times. Try including a travel size pack of disinfecting wipes. You can also use them while you’re on-the-go to sanitize things like your shopping cart.
A pair of sunglasses with UV protection
Wearing sunglasses won’t prevent you from getting sick, but they will protect your eyes from UV damage on sunny days. After just a few hours in the sun, unprotected eyes can actually get photokeratitis, also known as eye sunburn.
An immune-boosting supplement
Supplements like Airborne and Emergen-C are helpful in boosting your immune system. If you’re worried about getting sick, carry these with you and take them after your daily lunch.
Quick tip: In addition to supplements, make sure you’re getting plenty of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin E from your diet. *Hint hint* they’re also great for your skin.
Work Essentials
A pen and notebook
Although it might seem a little old fashioned, a pen and notebook are a working woman’s organizational BFFs. There’s nothing more satisfying than physically checking off the to-do list in your notebook, so make sure one of these little notebooks are in your bag.
A portable charger and cord
Keeping a backup phone charger will ensure you don’t end up with a dead cell phone before you get back home. This is especially important for those of us who use public transportation and don’t have access to an electrical outlet during our commute.
A good pair of headphones
If you work in an office where your coworkers are close-by, you probably don’t want to be playing music or listening to the audio out loud. Everyone may not share your obsession with Harry Styles, so keep a pair of headphones in your bag for private listening.
Beauty Essentials
Compact and multi-use makeup
You never know when you might get pulled into an important meeting at the last minute or invited to an after-work event. Our Subtl Stack has everything you need to get happy hour ready or to touch-up on the go. Stashing a stack in your bag means you’ll always be ready to get glam.
Quick tip: While we normally encourage makeup application with your fingertips, you should avoid touching your face in light of the pandemic. Our Stack Brush BFF has a lid for sanitary storage and will fit perfectly in your bag. Each stack also comes with a mini applicator.
A hairbrush
Regardless of the type of hair you have, it’s always smart to carry a hairbrush to help you avoid developing a tangled mess throughout the day. If you have finer hair, a mini brush should do the trick, but those of us with coarse hair may want to opt for a full-sized brush.
A hair tie or scrunchie
There’s a good chance that you’ll want to pull your hair back at some point during the day. We always keep at least one hair tie on hand, especially if we plan on heading to the gym after work.