What’s That Planner in Therapist&Life Coach Rachel George’s Bag?

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Beijing’s an urban jungle, and in any jungle, we need tools to survive and thrive. As urban jungle dwellers, we’ve managed to blend practicality with style, resulting in the modern bag. Here, form meets function, and what looks stylish and fashionable on the outside contains all our essential survival tools on the inside. Inspired by this, we ask expats each week, “What’s in your bag?” and get insights into which essentials they keep on hand when out and about in the capital city.

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Hey there! I’m Rachel. Therapist, life coach, and school counselor from Texas. Beijing has been my home for the past four years, and I am just as in love with it now as I was on that HOT August day I arrived. Even more so. There’s a certain somethin’ somethin’ about Beijing that makes my heart smile… full of life and vigor and surprises around almost every corner. Being here with my partner, Ryan, and our little rescue, Bruno, has definitely made the winter more bearable!

One thing I learned not too long after being here, was that one should never be caught in this city without the essentials… and a big, massive bag to carry them in. Enter this beauty that I found while stumbling around Wudaoying hutong. I buy things that call to me… and she whispered “Here I am!” Roomy enough to hold all of my essentials, timeless – you can never go wrong with a denim, artsy – I love eclectic, one-of-a-kind designs, and found in a hutong, sold!

I am always thinking, always creating, always talking, and getting inspired by others. So for me, real paper and real pens are essentials. Not to knock the technologically savvy ones out there – but there’s something about putting pen to paper that makes things real. Recently, I created a 30-day self-growth journal/planner baby called It’s Time. She not only keeps me organized but challenges me to stay aligned with my values. Call it planning with a purpose! I also carry one of my new body-positive dotted notebooks to jot down ideas, my fancy-schmancy Papermate Vivid color felt tip pens, and of course, my crystal quartz to clear the negativity and keep the inspiration flowing. Don’t sleep on crystals, ya’ll – life-changing!

Next up, are my beauty essentials. I am not a makeup person, but I am an eyebrow and lashes gal. I work with what my momma gave me and wouldn’t be caught without my Benefit-Precisely, My Brow Pencil in 5, and Lights Camera Lashes mascara by Tarte. Eyes, poppin!

For my pout, Grace and Gina’s coconut lip balm does the trick in this harsh winter air. Not only does it smell divine, but the formulation keeps my lips moisturized – all day.  Burt’s Bee’s face wipes – which are just little sheets of natural heaven when your face needs some love. Super moisturizing – no need to rinse. Jurlique lavender hand cream was officially my first Taobao purchase when I arrived in China. After borrowing some from a sweet lady on my plane ride here, I now never leave home without it, and you can find a tube next to every sink in my home. If there is one thing that I am a stickler about, it’s my smells. I love when my students say, “Ms. Rachel, we knew you were here because we could smell you.” Now that could go one of two ways, so I make sure it’s a positive one by carrying my winter signature Chloe Nomade. A sophisticated scent, warm and grounding – perfect for the colder weather.

Of course, my Miniso battery pack – it only takes one time to be lost in the city, with no battery, and no battery pack to guarantee that it will never happen again. A pack of Emergen-C, one can never get enough Vitamin C. And my ever-faithful roll of camper’s toilet paper – must I explain? Moment of transparency: I bought a case of this mini toilet paper and packed it with me all the way from America, it’s year four and I still have some left.

Want to share your Beijing survival tools with us? Shoot us an email at [e-mail], message our official Jingkids WeChat account (ID: beijing-kids), or leave a comment below!

Images: Rachel George

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