5 Things to Never Leave Home Without(Besides your mask!)

Now that Spring has arrived and brought along some beautiful weather, people can finally leave home and enjoy the gorgeous weather, do some outdoor activities, and even take their kids on family outings. If it’s been a while since you left home for anything besides grocery shopping, here are a few items that you should always keep swimming around in your bag(or pockets) for a person on the go!

Bobby pins - Bobby pins are probably one of the greatest creations known to man. Not only will your bobby pins make for a quick hairstyle in a pinch(or in a rainstorm), but the bobby pin can be used for so much more! Our narrow metal friend can also be used to quickly hem a pair of pants or skirt, to fix a zipper, or to replace a button that has decided to pop on you. Pro tip: Are your mask strings irritating your ears? Use a large bobby pin as an impromptu mask holder.

Band Aids - If you’re like me, you’ve made the mistake a time or two of wearing that brand new pair of heels or flats during a long day on your feet without breaking them in. You quickly find out all of the wrong ways those shoes can painfully rub up against your toes(sorry pinky toe) and the backs of your ankles. Save yourself the full day of suffering and place a Band-Aid on the irritated spot as your poor man’s Dr. Scholl’s. Is your mask fogging up your glasses? Place a small band aid on the  bridge of your nose to keep hot air from coming up.

Portable Chargers - Never be burned by a long day of Instagramming and TikToking again! Keep a portable charger(or several) in the bottom of your bag for those occasions when you can’t charge your phone(being plugged up to the outlet in a restaurant bathroom is never a good idea!). Not only is a portable charger a must have for your busy day, but it’s a safety issue too, you never know when you could be stuck somewhere with no phone.

Chewing gum - Mask breath is real y'all! It’s never a great feeling to have your mouth feel stale, dry and flavorless beneath a mask, especially if you’re not in a place where you feel comfortable taking a sip of water. Not only can gum live comfortably in a pocket or purse, but you can chew it for great lengths of time without ever lifting your mask. Further, it doesn’t hurt to have a minty fresh scent circulating your N95.

Petroleum Jelly - Whether you prefer Aquaphor, Vaseline, or a totally different brand, petroleum jelly is an absolute must have. It will rehydrate your lips on a dry and hot day, and can even reactivate the color if your lipstick from earlier has faded. This clear jelly companion also makes for a great moisturizer replacement if your hands are feeling dry and cracked. Have a sore that has decided to form on your lip or near your nose? Put a dabble of petroleum jelly on the backs of your ears before masking up to make for more comfortable wear.

There are lots of items that can help you throughout the day, but it can also be a lot to remember and a lot to carry! Luckily, there are all kinds of survival kits out there to make sure you’re covered for life’s crazy snafus.