Have you ever met Woobie the “Girl Scout”? You should. She is one independent chick who keeps a few useful and practical things inside her magic bag. :D

I’ve been called ‘girl scout’ on occasion because of my foresight to bring stuff in outdoor events and parties that no one thinks of to bring. Sure, the make up is there and some emergency pads, but other things… items that immediately become in demand when the need arises (I know you can think of a few things).

The secret to ‘being prepared’, the girl scout’s mantra, is of course thinking deep and long about what could happen in a future situation and having a plan B always. This is where the constantly packed overnight bag comes into play.

If you’re single and live the happy-go-lucky lifestyle of most single people, you know how annoying it is to wait for people to get dressed when you’re up and ready to go out on a trip. Spare your friends the trouble of waiting for you to decide which color swimsuit to bring, or whether or not to bring your whole arsenal of lip glosses (strawberry, cherry, lime and bubble gum flavored).

What’s inside the bag?

1. Clothes. A change of clothes: undies, two blouses/shirts and a lightweight pair of jeans or shorts. A towel. As your bag items should be general and relevant to different events you are going to attend in the future, do not pack your voluminous ballgown, when a sleek black party dress will do. Throw in a swimsuit for the swimming option. A pair of light weight sports shoes or Mojo sandals

2. Toiletries. A bar of soap, a sachet of shampoo, one razor and your fragrances. Choose one perfume that you really like (and in a small bottle) and pack it inside a roll of tissue paper. You never know when your bag might get squashed in an overflowing trunk or tossed at the top storage area of a car. For girls, do not forget to pack your feminine things.

3. Medicine Kit - Think of the worst temporary ailments that could ruin your fun. A tummy ache, a headache and dizziness/sea sickness. Bring a couple of first aid meds for yourself and a couple more for sharing.

4. Sustenance - Two packs of ready-to-eat biscotti or plain soda crackers for you and bring three more for sharing. I used to bring a pack of beef jerky and peeps gathered around me when the bus is late or the line at the ticket counter is long. A bottle of mineral water should never leave your bag, except when there really is no drinkable liquid in sight. Also bring sustenance for your cell phone, as you might just be stranded in a place where no phone charging station is available.

5. Cash - You can keep most of your cash inside your handbag, but a portion should go to a secret pocket inside your overnight bag. Why? As I said in a previous Single Living Tips post, you simply cannot let yourself be at the mercy of others when you lose your cash or you have no means of getting a ride home. This is your secret cab money, keep the amount low and keep the location a secret.

6. Protection - Taser or Condoms, your choice, but make sure you look after yourself when in a rowdy crowd where everyone’s tipsy and touchy. Paranoid thoughts of being taken advantage of while under the influence should not always be in your mind, as your goal is to enjoy the company of other people… but these things happen, so you should be ready.

Keeping a ‘gimmick bag’ (as I call it) is habit forming. Even now, when you happen to look in my bag, you’ll see a tiny Ziploc plastic containing clothes and some toiletries. What’s in your overnight bag?

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There you are one Saturday night, bored stiff and watching Friends reruns on your DVD player. You scroll through your phone book eager to know what your friends are up to. Apparently, the love bug is in the air and all your friends have been infested. You get tired of hearing “i have other plans with my new boyfriend” and being forced to say “have fun, you guys” (because what else is there to say?).

Taking a deep breath, you decide to strike out alone. They can all go cuddle and be warm with their boyfriends for all you care, but you refuse to sulk alone in your apartment just because your friends have deserted you. Before you go, however, heed the following tips that the evil Woobie compiled after years of being occasionally ditched by girl friends who remorselessly show symptoms of “chronic B.F.F. amnesia” when they’re in love.

1. Set Your Objectives for the Night. - You are out to socialize and you are definitely not on the prowl. Boy watching may be something you like to do with your friends, but when solo clubbing, this habit could backfire and plunge you into a sticky situation you don’t want to be in. Keep your thoughts friendly, and your actions non-committal. Remember, when you think it, they will sense it. (Also, see Newbie tip to Clubbing for Fun)

2. Imaginary friends - If you play your solo flight adventure right, this could be the only white lie you tell people the whole night. Practice answering the “are-you-alone” question in front of the mirror and say the “my-friends-will-be-right-over-in-a-few-minutes” response like you mean it. This could throw off the more malicious ones and encourage the friendlier ones to keep you company until your friends arrive.

3. Get Your Drink From the Waitress - People may offer to buy you a drink, but you must be the first one to touch the drink when it arrives. Also, never leave your drink unattended. When you really need to the ladies’ room, you must bring the drink with you. Or, buy a new one.

4. Gut feelings and Nursing a drink - Meeting new people and socializing could make anyone giddy with fun! However, there is nothing tackier than a drunk solo clubber who gets in the way of others’ fun. Nurse a drink… hold it in your hand and sip a bit at a time until the glass feels warm. Keeping a clear head throughout the night will make you confident enough to trust your gut instincts about the overall intentions of the people you interact with.

5. Stay Positive and Friendly - In club situations, people are always watching and observing other people. Sometimes, the aloof ones can be detected at a glance. The more friendly and open you are to conversation, the more people will gravitate towards you to chat. Keep everything light and don’t mind the corny ice breakers. Circulate around the party, and navigate your way to finding new friends.

There you go. Browse these tips, digest them a bit and you’re all set! Then tomorrow, when your friends call to tell you about their wonderful dates, you can excitedly tell them about the party you attended with some new friends.

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