a.k.a. The “Happy Easier” Chaos Survival Kit
Let’s skip the fluffy self-care advice and get real — this is about the practical stuff that makes life easier and easily fits in your purse. Not the aesthetic nonsense. Just small, smart tools that keep chaos from winning.
These are the things that make life easier, which, let’s be honest, is often the fastest path to making life happier too.
We’re talking about the underrated, everyday MVPs — like a portable charger when your phone’s clinging to 2%, or a floss pick when lunch shows up uninvited between your teeth. Nothing fancy. Just things that quietly save your day.
I use these. I rely on them. And if you’re juggling life with one eye twitch away from snapping, these tiny essentials might help you feel a little more in control (or at least a little less stabby).
Affiliate Link Time (aka the honest moment):
Yes, this post includes affiliate links. No, I don’t just slap links on anything. I’ve used these products. I genuinely like them. And if you’re into the whole “functioning without losing your mind” thing, I think you’ll like them too.
Safety Pin: The Unsung Hero of “Oh Crap” Moments
You don’t think about safety pins… until you’re one deep breath away from flashing your entire workplace.
This is your emergency tailor, your mini problem-solver, your “oops insurance” in one tiny, stabby package.
- Bra strap gave up on life? Pin it.
- Shirt gaping like it’s trying to start a scandal? Pin it.
- Zipper lost the will to zip? Pin. It.
- Need to hide a spare key or MacGyver a badge holder? You’re covered.
- Removing a splinter? Boom. Handled.
Safety pins are one of those things you never think to carry — until you’re praying someone nearby has one. Be the someone.
🧷 Grab a multi-pack here to save your sanity. So many jobs and fits in your purse easily.
Hair Clip: Instant Sanity Clamp
You know the feeling. Hair stuck to your neck, sweat creeping down your back, and your bangs doing some sort of dramatic swoop into your eyeball like they’ve got a vendetta. You’re not mad yet… but you’re close.
A solid hair clip doesn’t just fix your hair — it holds your mental state together. It’s the adult version of a security blanket, but it actually looks cute.
Benefits of Hair Clips to Make Life Easier
- Sweaty neck? Clip it up.
- Need to “look decent” on Zoom in 3 seconds? Twist and snap.
- Button popped? Boom. Clip.
- Snack bag won’t reseal? Clip.
- Cords on the floor? Clip.
- Toddler melting down in public? Hand them a clip. It’s not magic, but it’s close.
I keep a few of the heavy-duty kind that can actually handle hair without breaking in half like my last attempt at a 3-day juice cleanse. They’re cheap, unreasonably useful, and if you loan one to a friend, you will never see it again — so buy extra. so grab a 2-pack here and save yourself the rage. A clip fits on your purse or clip it to the strap.
Band-Aids: For Blisters, Hangnails, and Mysterious Kid Injuries
You never think about Band-Aids until you need one immediately. Like when your shoes betray you, or your kid insists their imaginary scrape needs “real medical attention.”
These little lifesavers belong in every bag, glove box, and “miscellaneous” drawer.
They’re clutch for:
- Blisters that started as “just a rub” and now feel like fire.
- Hangnails that turned into full-blown drama.
- Shaving nicks you’d rather not talk about.
- Kid injuries only visible under a microscope (but definitely life-threatening).
- Pretending to have your life together in public.
🩹 I keep this 48-count Welly tin with me — the bandages are strong, flexible, and the case is so cute and portable, it makes you feel like the kind of person who always has tissues, gum, and their crap together. (Spoiler: I am not, but this helps.)
Alcohol Wipe: Fits in Your Purse Easily
Not glamorous, not cute — just stupidly useful. An alcohol wipe is one of those things you never think to carry… until you do, and suddenly you’re everyone’s favorite grown-up in a crisis.
How alcohol wipes make life easier:
- Clean your phone when it looks like it’s been through a toddler’s snack-covered hands (because it has).
- De-grease your glasses so you can stop pretending blurry is your personality.
- Wipe down sticky tables, mystery spills, or whatever your kid just touched (and definitely licked).
- Clean your hands when you’ve been snacking in the car like a trash panda.
- Do a quick pit swipe when you’re sweaty, flustered, and miles from a sink.
Keep a few in your purse and thank yourself every time life gets gross. Grab a box here — they’re cheap, take zero space, and make you look extremely prepared even when you’re winging it.
Mini Pen: Because You Deserve Better Than Crayon Scraps
You will need a pen. It’s inevitable. And when that moment comes — to sign a form, jot a note, or scribble “call the plumber, AGAIN” on a receipt — everyone around you will mysteriously have nothing but vibes.
Carrying a full-size pen? Annoying. Lugging around a glitter gel pen from your kid’s art set? Embarrassing. Digging around in your purse only to come up with a broken crayon? You deserve better. A mini pen fits in your purse and even the small side pocket.
That’s why a good mini pen is a quiet little game-changer.
Keep it for:
- Signing school slips, field trip forms, or those surprise “we just need one signature” moments.
- Grocery lists, to-do lists, and scribbled reminders you’ll later find stuck to your chapstick.
- Passive-aggressive love notes like “please don’t leave your socks on the table <3”
- Looking like a functioning adult who has their life together — even just a little.
I use this compact one because it fits anywhere, doesn’t leak ink, and doesn’t look like it came from a kids’ meal. Just a small, solid upgrade that makes life easier — quietly, efficiently, and without glitter.
Seriously though, this is one of those products that make life easier — small enough to forget about, but you’ll feel like a damn genius every time you pull it out.
Pain and Fever: Because Your Body’s a Drama Queen
Sometimes it’s a headache. Sometimes it’s your back being rude. And sometimes — surprise — you’re actually getting sick.
A few pain relievers on hand can help you manage symptoms until you can go home and take care of yourself properly. This isn’t about powering through — it’s about not falling apart mid-errand.
Use it for:
- Headaches that roll in out of nowhere.
- Aches and soreness that make everything harder than it should be.
- Fevers that creep up when you’re still out and need to wrap things up.
I keep acetaminophen with me — same as Tylenol, just without the name-brand markup. Compact, effective, and exactly what you want when your body starts acting up.
Quick disclaimer: Don’t take acetaminophen if you have liver issues. Ibuprofen has its own risks too, especially for people with heart, kidney, or stomach conditions. This isn’t medical advice — check with your provider if you’re not sure what’s safe for you.
Lip Balm: Because Dry, Cracked Lips Are the Worst Distraction
Nothing derails your focus like dry, peeling lips. Once they’re cracked, everything — talking, eating, existing — becomes mildly painful and weirdly rage-inducing.
You don’t need a fancy tube with fake shimmer and a French name. You need something that actually works. And luckily, the good stuff usually costs a few bucks.
I use Aquaphor Lip Repair — no hype, no scent, no gimmicks. Just a simple tube that fits in your purse and works every single time.
Why This Belongs in Your Bag:
Fragrance-free and doesn’t sting on cracked skin (bless)
Handles windburn, dehydration, and chronic lip chewing like a champ
Smooths everything out before lipstick or human interaction
Doesn’t melt into goo at the bottom of your purse
Cheap enough to keep one in every drawer, bag, and pocket
$20 in Cash: Because Technology Fails and Not Everything Has Venmo
Sure, we’re all digital now — until your phone dies, the Wi-Fi’s trash, or you’re face-to-face with a dusty “cash only” sign taped to a gas station window. That’s when your secret stash of actual paper money earns its keep.
Keep a $20 broken down into two fives and ten ones. Small bills = big flexibility. You don’t want to hand over a twenty for a $3 parking fee and get paid back in quarters and regret.
Why You Need It:
- Parking meters, school bake sales, vending machines, and that one taco truck that’s allergic to credit cards
- Tipping someone who went out of their way to help (and doesn’t have a QR code on their forehead)
- Buying a bottle of water or snack when you’ve got no signal, no app, and no patience
- Spotting your kid “just this once” — again
- Emergencies, minor wins, or low-key bribes
You don’t have to use it often. But when you need it, nothing else will work.
Need a little change/cash holder for your purse? Check out this cute one on Amazon — it’s cheap and way better than crumpled bills floating around with your receipts and old gum.
Mini Nail File: Because That Snag Will Drive You Insane
It always starts the same: one tiny snag. You tell yourself you’ll leave it alone. Five minutes later you’re gnawing at it like a raccoon and now your nail looks like it survived a bar fight.
A mini nail file weighs nothing, takes up no space, fits in your purse, and saves you from spiraling into full chaos over one jagged corner.
Why You Need It:
- Smooths out snags before they catch on your clothes, sheets, or skin (ouch)
- Saves your teeth from becoming tools (again)
- Lets you stop obsessing over one annoying nail for the rest of the day
- Keeps you from asking strangers for a file like it’s 2003
I use these on Amazon — they’re tiny, effective, and come in a little case so they’re not floating around stabbing things in your bag.
Floss Picks: Because That Popcorn Kernel Has a Personal Vendetta
You don’t think about floss… until something’s jammed between your teeth and suddenly it’s the only thing you can think about. You try to ignore it. You wiggle your tongue. You regret every decision that led to this moment.
That’s why I keep floss picks in my bag. But not just any kind.
I only use these ones — because the pointed end of Plackers is covered. No more stabbing yourself while digging in your purse. No more surprise slices to your cuticle that make you audibly say “ouch” in public. Been there. Not going back.
Why You Need Them:
- Gets rid of that one piece of food making you irrationally angry
- Keeps you from doing the horrifying “nail pick” in front of people
- Saves your gums from being shredded by the mystery floss at gas stations
- Covered tip = no bleeding fingers, no purse injuries, no regrets
They’re cheap, effective, and it easily fits in your purse. You’ll be thankful you have them.
Mini Flashlight: Because Phone Lights Suck in Real Emergencies
Sure, your phone has a flashlight — but good luck juggling that when your hands are full, your phone’s dead, or you’re crawling under the car seat trying to retrieve something that shouldn’t even be under there.
A mini flashlight weighs nothing, clips to your keys or bag, and doesn’t drain your battery just to help you find your dignity on the floor.
I keep this one from Amazon — it’s shockingly bright, rechargeable, and tiny but solid. Not a cheap plastic toy — this thing actually works when you need it.
Why You Need It:
- Looking for dropped items in cars, theaters, or bottomless tote bags
- Power outages where your phone is already down to 3%
- Trying to find your keys or door lock in the dark like a raccoon
- Keeping your hands free — because this one clips or stands on its own
- Just having a backup light that’s not your fragile $1,000 phone
Portable Phone Charger: Because “My Phone Was Dead” Isn’t a Valid Excuse Anymore
This is the portable charger I make my kids carry. It’s small, reliable, and completely killed the “my phone was dead” excuse in my house. And honestly? That alone makes it worth it.
This one on Amazon is slim enough to toss in any bag without being annoying. It charges fast, doesn’t weigh a ton, and comes in different colors — which means I don’t have to listen to, “That one’s mine!” on repeat. Small joys.
Why You Need It:
- Your phone always dies when you actually need it
- It’s lightweight and takes up zero real space
- Great backup for forgetful teens, overworked adults, and anyone who lives at 7%
- No more arguing over which charger belongs to who
- Because being unreachable isn’t cute — it’s stressful
Everyone should have one. Especially if you’re tired of being the emergency tech support in your family.
Crossbody Fanny Pack: Because Shoulder Bags Can’t Be Trusted
Shoulder bags love to slide off at the worst possible moment — grocery checkout, loading your car, carrying literally anything. That’s why I made the switch to this crossbody fanny pack from Amazon, and honestly? I’m never going back.
It’s compact but fits everything I actually need — phone, keys, lip balm, the basics — without turning into a black hole. I helped my grandpa move while wearing it. Didn’t take it off once. It stayed in place, didn’t get in the way, and didn’t try to strangle me mid-task.
Why It Belongs in Your Life:
- Doesn’t slide off your shoulder or require constant readjusting
- Holds what you need without turning into a mini suitcase
- Solid zipper, adjustable strap, and it actually sits flat
- Works for errands, travel, kid-chasing, or just being a hands-free human
- Comes in different colors so you can pick your “go with everything” neutral or a fun one for chaos days
I use a tote for work stuff, but for everything else? This is the one.
Tampons & Panty Liners: Because Periods Don’t Care What Day It Is
Unless you’ve had a hysterectomy or you’re on birth control that shuts things down completely, you need to keep something on you. Always. Because nothing humbles a person faster than a surprise period and no backup plan.
I had an IUD for 15 years, so when I got it taken out and started getting periods again? Yeah — I had plenty of those whispered “do you have one?” drug-deal-style questions for other people. No more. I’m prepared now. Learned my lesson.
And instead of letting them roll around loose in your purse like sad little grenades, toss them in this Shark Week pouch from Amazon. It’s small, hilarious, and makes the whole situation way less awkward. Honestly, 10/10 design and small enough that it fits in your purse.
Why You Need Them:
- Because your period doesn’t care about your outfit, plans, or mental state
- For backup, emergencies, and “help I wasn’t supposed to start yet” moments
- To help out friends, coworkers, teen daughters, or strangers who didn’t prepare
- Keeping it all in a pouch means no more crushed wrappers or mystery fluff on your tampon
Functional stuff. Zero drama when Aunt Flo shows up uninvited.
Mints: Because Coffee Breath Is Rude
You don’t notice your breath until you’re mid-sentence, face-to-face with another human, and suddenly wondering if that latte’s still lingering in all the wrong ways.
I keep a pack of these mints from Amazon with me at all times. They’re strong, they work fast, and they’re aspartame-free, which means no weird fake-sugar aftertaste. Just clean, minty backup for when your breath is… not great.
Why You Need Them:
- Coffee, garlic, and “didn’t have time to brush” breath happens
- Works instantly, no loud chewing or wrapper noise
- Doesn’t melt or leak like gum
- No aspartame, no mystery chemicals, no regrets
Small, powerful, and just polite to have on hand. Trust me.
Final Thoughts: It’s the Tiny Stuff That Keeps You Functioning
You don’t need a purse full of magical self-care gadgets or a tactical survival kit. Just a handful of small, underrated things that make life easier — the everyday, real-life stuff you don’t think about until you’re silently cursing yourself for not having it.
These aren’t luxury items. These are the “I can actually function today” tools — the ones that stop a minor inconvenience from becoming a full-on spiral and fits in your purse. Whether it’s floss picks that won’t stab you, mints that don’t taste like chemicals, or a mini flashlight that actually works when your phone’s dead — these little wins add up.
You deserve to make life easier in the most low-effort, high-payoff ways possible. Start with the basics. Stock your bag with what actually helps. Because the goal isn’t perfection — it’s staying sane while doing your best not to lose it in a Target parking lot.
Calling all cat owners: here’s another list of products that make life easier for cat people.
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