How My Handbag Got a Whole Lot Heavier (And Why That’s Actually a Good Thing)

Back in my early 20s, I could head out with just a tiny clutch — phone, key, cash, lip gloss, and I was sorted. Light as air. I remember thinking, this is style.

Fast forward a few decades — and now? My bag’s more like mission control.

I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 23, registered blind by 31, and now, in my mid 40s I’ve got just a sliver of vision left. And while no one ever warned me about the fashion side of sight loss, it’s one of the things that’s changed the most — not because I care less about looking good, but because getting out the door now means packing for a whole different kind of journey.

Gone are the dainty handbags. These days, it’s all about the cross-body — hands-free is non-negotiable when you’ve got a guide dog at your side or a long cane in hand. And trust me, once you’ve tried walking a busy street juggling a dog, or a cane plus bags you’ll understand why.

But it’s not just the bag that’s changed — it’s what’s in it.

There’s a whole section now just for my dog: treats, a roll of black bags and a little bottle of hand gel — because dog walks and public transport don’t exactly come with handwashing stations.

My phone? Still my lifeline — but now it’s doing about five jobs at once. Maps, transport apps, text-to-speech for menus, and voice notes when I need to jot something down. And because it’s working overtime, I’ve got a backup battery pack in there too — because nothing’s worse than your GPS cutting out halfway down a side street.

Then there’s the bone-conducting headphones — absolute game-changer. I can hear my route instructions without blocking out the world around me. Keeps me safe, keeps me moving, and means I don’t have to hold my phone up like I’m filming a vlog every time I turn a corner.

Sunglasses or an eye shield? Always in the bag. Light sensitivity doesn’t care if it’s a grey day — it shows up uninvited.

And the little things — like swapping paper tickets for my blind person’s Metro card, or adding a radar key to my key-ring so I can get into accessible toilets without a struggle (especially helpful when you’re with a big dog, or just not up for stairs). Even the cashpoint’s different now — I’ve got my own headphones to plug in, so I can hear the audio prompts without anyone else overhearing.

It’s a lot. But you know what? I don’t see it as a burden — I see it as my toolkit. Every item in that bag is there because it helps me live my life on my terms. And honestly? I’m proud of how I’ve worked it all out.

So if your bag’s gotten heavier too — don’t worry. It’s not that you’ve lost your style. You’ve just upgraded to something better: a system that works for you. And that’s worth its weight in gold.