What’s in my Bag? An EDC Collection for Women with PCOS

What A Girl Needs in Her EDC – Executive Woman Version

The overarching theory of safety – being clean, warm, and dry – forms the basis of this list. For a woman, EDC should include items related to hygiene, especially for the menstrual cycle, dry hand soap sheets, toilet paper coins, and a collapsible filter water bottle. As women lead busy lives with often dynamic schedules, an on-the-go protein source like clean beef jerky, sprouted nuts, or shelf-stable individual cheese packets. You never know when a brilliant idea or an opportunity for productivity will arise, and for that, I carry a notebook, pen, and wired headphones with a phone dongle.

Introduction – Why I’m Describing my EDC as an Executive Woman

It seems the vast majority of EDC content on the internet is more rugged and manly.  Meanwhile, the girls are seeing enormous views on their “what’s in my bag” videos.  I’m hoping to day to bring a middle ground of the more feminine “what’s in my bag” and some practical and tactical things I find useful on a daily basis.  As a woman with PCOS, my goals are to prepare myself to defeat food cravings and brain fog, so you’ll see a fair amount of items that relate to these two objectives.  As every individual certainly has different needs or interests, I hope that my list can offer some ideas or inspiration for someone looking to decrease their stress by having a reliable collection of goods in their bag day-to-day.

 

 

Tiny Hygiene Items – For a Healthier Day

Let’s talk about hygiene – the world is a dirty place, especially when we are out in public.  Cleanliness is key to avoiding as many germs as possible.  Who has time to be sick? The foundational premise of cleanliness is clean water and soap.  I like this Katadyn Be Free bottle because it is collapsible, so it takes up minimal space, and the squeeze bottle design lets me keep the interior of the bottle clean while I wash my hands or shoot water into a cup or directly into my mouth.

Fomin soap sheets are always in my bag to make sure I can properly wash my hands.  I can’t risk not being able to wash my hands before fixing a contact, and we should all be washing our hands before we eat, so these soap strips easily solve the problem of non-existent soap in a public restroom.   Speaking of public restrooms, I carry a few toilet paper and paper towel “coins”, as they call them, with me, again in case of a zero supply situation.  You can never be too prepared on this front.  Should you or someone with you happen to get a cut or abrasion, with clean water, soap, and these paper towels, you can clean that wound immediately.  I also carry band-aids or plasters with me for these situations and potential blisters from gloriously long walks.

As a contact lens wearer, I carry a contact case with extra solution and a mirror.  I don’t know how some people can insert and remove contacts without a mirror, but I am in awe of that skill.  If you’ve opted for LASIK or a similar procedure, let me know if you’re happy with your results in the comments.

Because being a girl involves the joy of experiencing a biochemical storm, I always carry liners.  Liners are a fantastic option.  Period start early? No problem.  Ridiculous amounts of cervical fluid during ovulation? Covered. Beautiful grandma who experiences minor incontinence because she has prolapse from birthing your mother? Be her backup.

Consumption – Snacks, a Balanced Microbiome, and the Important Extras

A woman’s schedule can flow like a river, barely a trickle in some spots and a raging storm in others. I try to help my body manage its PCOS cravings by focusing on protein. My go-to beef stick is the PaleoValley beef options. They are 100% grass-fed and grass finished without garbage ingredients and they are naturally fermented. I particularly enjoy the summer sausage and find the teriyaki a nice option for a sweet craving. I will cut a chunk of imported parmesan cheese to take with me from home on long days, but if you are in the market for a prepackaged option, these are pricey, but spectacular. Parmesan is nature’s keto protein bar, coming in at 18g of protein and zero sugar. Great article on the magnificent Parmesan available at Costco from Chowhound here. I also like these electrolyte packets for a change from plain water. They use zero sugar and come in a delicious guava flavor. There is nothing about conventional soda or diet soda that is a friend of PCOS, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find something delicious without throwing off our body’s balance.

I keep berberine and Zyrtec in bag, as well as Aleve and aspirin. Do we try to make good food choices? Yes. Do we sometimes succumb to gelato or fresh sourdough? Also, yes. Berberine can help the body relocate its blood glucose balance. While I take it regularly both in the morning and at night, I have a few for moments of indulgence. Sometimes the daily Zyrtec just isn’t enough, so having an extra one can help me combat flowers, heavy perfume or cologne on someone sitting close to me, or old office buildings with dust and mold embedded into the furniture. Aleve is my go-to for cranky ovaries and it’s convenient because I don’t have to retake it every 4 hours. Aspirin should be in everyone’s bag in case someone around you appears to be moving into a heart attack. I’m not a doctor, but here’s the basic information, and a reminder that in the US, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.

One of the most important consumables in my bag is a combination of probiotics and digestive enzymes. I find this one to be effective and unbothered by not being in the refrigerator. Gut health is brain health and a disregulated gut has been shown to contribute to depression. Keeping these in my bag encourages me to be consistent with them, even when I’m not eating at home.

 

Productivity – Getting Things Done on the Go

EMF radiation is not a friend of your brain, and in my case, also not my ears. Wired headphones are the option that let me enjoy a book, a phone call, or audible map navigation without producing that disastrous ringing in my ears. My current headphones are a Sony white and hot pink version I picked up at the Myrtle Beach airport for an excessive price, along with its equally absurdly priced dongle.  I think being so aggravated by paying $50 for the two items because travel plans changed and I had neither with me has caused me to be aggressively cautious with them and they’ve now been with me for 3.5 years.  I am looking to upgrade soon to the Moondrop Blessing 3 (and mic cable) or the Shure SE215.  If you have any experience with these or any other recommendations for wired options with top notch sound, please drop them in the comments.

This EMF radiation consideration is also why I have a SHEILDON Phone Case attached to my iPhone 13 Pro Max.  Also, the convenience of having a wallet and a phone together so I can just take the one handful of important things with me if I’m quickly running into a store is a dream. For more info from the National Institute of Health on Non-Ionizing Radiation as Possible Carcinogen, check out this PubMed article.

For handwriting notes and ideas, I typically use a medium Rocketbook and Pilot Frixion pens.  The Rocketbook is erasable, reusable, and washable.  I prefer analog notebooks, but if you enjoy integrating your handwritten notes to your apps, it’s compatible with GoodNotes, Notion, Slack, and a bunch of others, as of 2022.  The pens come in piles of colors. I love the extra fine .05 Clicker with the attached eraser nub.

For 2025, I’m making a change.  I do enjoy the Rocketbook Panda Planner; but this coming year I’m making the move to the Hobinichi Techo HON A5 or the Nolty 6501 Listy 1 Vertical Weekly because my brain is changing how it processes information and my professional focus has undergone some adjustments. This feels like the better fit for me at this very moment in time. The beauty of the Rocketbook is that it is undated and reusable, so if my brain shifts again, I can return to it, and if someone else in my life can use it, I can rehome it.  If you’re using either of these or use another vertical weekly planner, I’d love to hear about it.  Also, if you haven’t seen the magic of JetPens, you are missing a stationery and planning lovers little slice of heaven.

 

Miscellany – A Few of my Favorite Useful Things

  • Wallet Multitool – This strong little metal rectangle is so versatile.  It has a Phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, bottle opener, cash strap, scraper, and standard wrenches.   The Phillips screwdriver is quite the Amazon package opener.

  • Cash & Coins – Especially in Europe, coins are a must for the public restrooms. Parking meters and laundromats also factor into the coin consideration.  Sometimes electronic systems fail and physical currency will be your best bet.

  • List of Emergency Numbers and Addresses – This is a great backup if your phone is out of battery, has no service, gets waterlogged, or gets lost or stolen.  If you’re out of the country, adding the address of the nearest consulate or embassy may also be helpful.

  • Power Bank – Size, weight, and multiple device usage should be considered.  I like this small charger because my iPhone 13 Pro Max and 2021 iPad (with this amazing case) both use the lightning cable.  This will not be the solution.

  • Eating Utensil Set – I love this set because of its completeness. This set has chopsticks, straws, a straw brush, and a case that keeps it all together.  Plastic exposure is bad for humans.  Single-use plastics are a nightmare.  This set ensures I’m not reliant on the person tasked with putting a fork in my bag. Just remember to take the knife out before you fly or pursuant to your local regulations.

  • Flashlight or Torch (depending on your region):  You have a flashlight on your phone; I know, I know.  But if you’re phone is dead and you’ve already depleted your above-referenced power bank, you’ll be grateful you have a separate device. The Nitecore Tini 2 is rechargeable and attaches to a keychain, making it easier to find in a bag.

  • RFID Emergency Wallet:  The Ridge wallet is a beauty in its wide selection of powder coated colors, but budget options also totally work.  The goal here is to have a separate wallet with an extra credit card, cash, and ID in case my phone with its wallet case is lost or I’m robbed and need to give it up to protect myself.

  • Cosmetics Pouch for Touchups:  Don’t buy one; just use one you have or a quart plastic baggie.  Our objective here is to keep all of it in one place and prevent leaks or shattering that ruin bag liners.  The one I use is clear so I can see what I’m looking for instead of blindly shoving my claw into the depths of my bag.

  • Gallon Plastic Sealable Bag:  Same theory is in play here.  Sometimes you just need something for storage or trash.

  • Badger Aromatherapy Stick: Headaches can come out of nowhere – stress, pressure shifts, noise – and so can stale air or a perfume on someone else that just doesn’t work with your nose. This stick is so good.  If you’re running between meetings and some flyways come sprouting out of your head, it also works as a hair serum alternative in a pinch.

  • Poncho/Raincoat:  This one depends on the size of the bag and the weather. If I’m carrying a larger bag and it’s going to rain, full raincoat it is. I found this reasonably priced beauty on Amazon.  Has a hood.  Fits in a dry bag, which helps with compressing it down to its smallest form and also keeping the other contents dry after use. If it’s a smaller bag day, the poncho is the winner.

  • Emergency Blanket:  While its primary marketed purpose is to keep someone warm in an emergency, this tool is tiny and versatile. Flight delayed and no chairs exist by the gate? Germ barrier for the floor.  Ran into a friend by the and want to sit and have a chat? Waterproof picnic blanket. Thought you had enough layers on your body and now winter feels like it’s inside your body? Extra layer of insulation around your abdomen.

  • Ricola: These drops are a multipurpose win: refresh the mouth, help coughing subside, unmedicated and made from natural ingredients. The Swiss continue to demonstrate greatness.

  • Nail file and small clippers: Because broken nails are aggravating and nail clippers can snip a variety of small items.

Brahmin Finley Carryall Handbag in Sterling Melbourne

 

A note about the bag: I do not use this bag every day; like most people I rotate through a few based on the schedule and outfit, the bag in the photo is the Brahmin Finley Carryall in Sterling Melbourne. My other heaviest rotation bag is the Frye Melissa Hobo in a beige/light tan color.