I don't care what anyone says, everything in my bag is an essential! As for things floating around my bag? Not a chance! Not with the amount I cram in, it's simply about making use of space and pockets! Being organised enough to have everything to hand!

Although, you never truly realise exactly how much is in your bag until you're forced to empty out in public!
My work introduced a new policy of bag searches. Fair enough but I was the unfortunate soul that had to empty out first! Or would that be the security girl being the unfortunate one?

Our rules state that only we (the bag owner) may remove items from the bag. Well! It really makes you realise why you're getting that back or shoulder pain when you see the entire contents spread out on a table while someone holds the rest as the table's full.

Like I say, essentials. To me this is phone, purse, keys, bus pass, makeup bag, handheld mirror, brush, tissues, painkillers, antibac hand gel, plasters (i'm not a hypocondriact honest!) emergency lady products, spare £1 coin, pen, notebook, reading book, glasses, sudoku book, umbrella, diary, ipod and bottle of water.

That is by no means an exhaustive list, purely the basics as on top of that there could be anything. Paperwork, packet of salt, crumbled up bread (in a bag of course!) and shoes have all been known to be found in my bag.

Who cares what's in a bag as long as the poor bag isn't being abused by having everything busting out of the seems. Thats just bag abuse. I'm always the useful friend who's bound to have what you need, tucked away in my bag somewhere.

I always use everything in my bag and maybe i'm just one of the lucky ones that's never had the thought of "Do I really need all of this?"
Let's just say, I doubt they'll be stopping me for a bag search again anytime soon!