I'm taking a written inventory of all of the things in my backpack that I haul around with me all the time. This backpack goes everywhere so it's important to keep it well-stocked and also not overstuffed with heavy things. Writing things down helps me remember what I have, and importantly reminds me what I don't need to have.
My postcard game is pretty good (picture cards, QSL cards, forever stamps) but it could be better. I'm writing down postal addresses in an address book (Field Notes Brand, from Upper Peninsula Supply Co.), so that I have a tangible reminder of people I want to correspond with when I'm away from the net. I reuse a nearly indestructible takeout tub from CuBE Packaging Solutions Inc. to keep everything together and dry. Also: send more cards in 2024.
I can probably carry around 30% less in the way of computer cables and trinkets, which would leave space for a few cables I could really use. (C to C, C to HDMI, C to ethernet). A pair of zippered microphone pouches from Audio-Technica and Shure Incorporated keep things neat. The written inventory I keep here is a bit more detailed, often reminding me of circumstances where I have needed to borrow something in a pinch.
The backpack often has a 2 meter HT ham radio antenna poking out the top, so that if I happen to find myself on a bike ride I can stop at a park and see who is on the air. I wish more ham radios had USB-C charging built in, that would simplify the power situation a lot.
Never carry a bad pen.
Also posted to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7147814974256521216/ for a few comments.
