A 4.3 magnitude earthquake shook me into consciousness at 7:26am. 

My body froze up and I waited to see if the sudden jolt would extend into a more dangerous shake. Stuck in limbo, all I could think was, “fuck, I still haven’t packed my grab-and-go bag”. 

A grab-and-go bag is a personal bag full of emergency supplies that you should keep somewhere easily accessible for if you need to evacuate your home. It’s useful because it holds smaller items customised to your personal needs, and it can be separate from your main supplies which hold heavier items like food and water.

I live with my parents and, if a natural disaster struck, I would be able to use our communal emergency supplies we have packed in a crate in our backyard. But a recent inspection of the crate made me realise I only have a few items of clothing in there, many of which no longer fit. There’s also none of my underwear, socks, shoes, self-care items or joy-sparking trinkets.

If I lost my home and all I was left with were the things in that crate, I’d lose my mind as well. So join me as I spend a free Sunday updating my emergency supplies and packing a go-bag fit for my adult needs.

Practical Tidbits

My power bank from Belkin has USB-A and USB-C ports and can give over 70 hours of power to my phone. 

There’s a full first aid kit in my main supplies, so I’ve grabbed the stuff I reach for the most: antihistamines, painkillers and cold medication.

I’ve also packed: Berocca, pads, tampons, face masks, a small bug spray, heat packs, some cash and copies of important documents.

Just Girly Things

When packing self care items, my goal was to pick items that were non-negotiable and minimised bulk. 

The To Save Face SPF50+ sun serum from Mecca is expensive but I have sun allergies and it’s one of the only sunscreens that doesn’t make my skin ashy or oily. 

For my basic makeup, I packed a lip stain that can also be used on my cheeks, an Essence brow gel, a Huda Beauty lip gloss that my friend gave me and an individual NYX eyeshadow that I can apply using my fingers. All of those items can be easily washed off with a face cleanser and can also be slept in without causing discomfort to my skin.

My commitment to smelling nice will never cease so I’ve packed a 50ml lotion version of La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme, which has no risk of spilling or cracking unlike a bottle. I also packed: Nivea Soft, brunette dry shampoo, roll-on deodorant, a hairbrush that I bedazzled in Japan, Origins spot cream, a claw clip and some silver hoops because I never leave the house without wearing earrings. 

Things That Bring Joy

My colleague owns a NeeDoh Nice Cube that she plays with on Teams’ calls and I’m so obsessed that I got one myself. It’s very satisfying to squish and I can see it being a de-stressor.

I also packed some TNTs because sour lollies are a great pick-me-up, plus playing cards and Monopoly Deal to keep boredom at bay. 

Clothes!

For tops, I’ve packed a green Country Road cotton tank for breathability and an AS Colour T-shirt printed with pictures of me and my dad because it makes me laugh. For bottoms, I went with some brown Lorna Jane leggings for comfort.

I get cold easily so I’ve packed a Uniqlo long sleeve black thermal, which are cult favourites for a reason – they’re lightweight, comfortable and easy to layer. I’ve also packed: an old pair of New Balances, socks, underwear, gloves, a beanie and a scarf.

Things I’ve put in my family’s crate because they didn’t fit in my bag: a brown puffer, a set of matching fluffy pajamas, a raincoat and a sunhat.

My go-bag weighs around 2.7kgs with all the supplies packed in it, which is a doable weight to haul around.

I highly recommend taking some time out of your weekend to suss out your emergency supplies and pack things that cater to your personal needs. 

And make sure to check out getready.govt.nz and civildefence.govt.nz for official advice.