I've learned: You can only cram so much into a purse — or a day | Suzy Leonard
I’ve always been a fan of small purses.
One of my proudest fashion moments happened in the mid-’90s when two women in the elevator at The New York Times complimented my dainty little faux-snakeskin pocketbook.
Give me a wristlet, a mini crossbody or even a cute belt bag, and I’m happy.
People sometimes ask how I can get by with so little space, but as long my purse holds a couple of lipsticks, my cellphone, a pen, car keys and a tiny wallet with credit cards and a little cash, I’m good to go.
Every now and then, I experiment with carrying a bigger bag, one with space for reading glasses, a notebook, an umbrella, snacks, hairspray, my iPad and a water bottle. The number of things I “need” to carry tends to expand to fill the space available until I’m hauling around the equivalent of an airport roller bag and complaining about neck and shoulder pain.
I’m discovering the same is true for time.
The last time I had infinite free time was the summer after sophomore year of college. For years, imagined retirement would involve watching movies all day, afternoon naps and maybe planting a few flowers.
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Turns out my retirement to-do list has magically expanded to fit the space of available time. In the three weeks since my final full-time shift, I have yet to read the bourbon edition of Garden and Gun magazine. I haven’t binged a Netflix series, and I only managed to watch 45 minutes of the “Barbie” movie before having to high-tail it to an appointment.
Between chores, errands and my morning ritual of solving Wordle and Connections, I’ve been introduced to an exciting new non-profit endeavor, spent time talking with a group of retired teachers and baked appetizers for my husband’s office potluck. I’ve also helped plan a fashion event to benefit one local organization and a dinner to raise money for another. Plus, I seem to have become a lady who lunches.
I’m wondering if my poodle road trip will ever become a reality.
How did I ever fit 40-hour work weeks into my schedule?
I’m told things eventually will slow down; that I’ll reach a point when I don’t even know what day it is. I’m not sure I want that. I like being busy and engaged. Could the secret to organizing days must be similar to the way I organize a small purse? Everything has its place, and there’s no room for the unnecessary.
I just have to figure out what to take along and what to leave behind, which is no easy task. Now that my time is my own, I want to fill it with fun, meaningful activities that feed my heart, my soul and my belly, as well as the occasional afternoon nap.
When those small purses can’t quite fit everything I need, I upgrade to a bigger bag.
Can anyone tell me where to find a bigger day?
Suzy Fleming Leonard spent more than four decades as a journalist before retiring from FLORIDA TODAY in February.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: There's only so much you can fit into a purse or a day | Suzy Leonard
