I am getting scattered brained and it’s getting worse when I travel. First, it was in August. I left my phone with the boarding pass in it at an airport bathroom. Lucky me, someone turn it in to the gate agent. He returned it to me when I approached him to ask what I could do. Second, my driver’s license fell out of my pocket again, at the gate. Someone held onto it and gave it to me when I returned the seat. Thirdly, while I was returning my rental car early in the morning in the dark, my wallet fell out of my bag unbeknowns to me. That was fun, about to fly and no ID. Frantically, I retraced my steps multiple times in vain. Filed police report, etc. I decided to check one more time without much hope. And there it was on the ground a little far off, under another car. Is three time lucky followed by not lucky?
Have you thought about getting a different purse or bag? I lose stuff out of flap top bags - I need to have a zippered bag. Also I am more likely to lose credit cards that are loose in my bag instead of being put back in my wallet.
Yes, I would ask what kind of purse you’re using. Something like a crossbody or even a waist pouch (they have cute ones these days - it’s cool 
) can be really handy for flights. When I travel I make a deal with myself to be especially alert and focused when I take anything out of purse/wallet/waist pack. Make myself remember taking it out, and consciously put it back in.
You both nailed it. I ditched my purse to maximize two carryons. It was a business trip. I had to fit my suits, shoes and the computer and I wasn’t supposed to do heavy lifting just yet.
That would have stressed me out so much. Glad it worked out @Iglooo!
My blood pressure is still elevated from being stressed out from the experience.
I’ve lost my bus pass twice in the last few weeks. I was carrying it in the back pocket of my jeans all day. It must have fallen out at some point, maybe because I stuck my phone in the same pocket and pulled it out. Fortunately, turned into security at my building.
So I started keeping it in a pocket in my purse. But it was missing AGAIN a few days ago. I do keep a couple other things in that pocket, like work ID card and keys. Again… building security had it. Now I’m putting it in its own little zippered pocket in purse as soon as done with transfer swipe on my bus ride. If I lose it again, I give up…
If you want to maximize carryon, so you need extra pockets, check out Scott EVest. They make jackets/pants/sweaters with extra pockets (up to 20!), many of them very deep, specifically so you don’t have to carry another bag.
“My blood pressure is still elevated from being stressed out from the experience.”
My blood pressure got elevated just from reading about your experience. :))
Reminds me of the recent incident at Newark Liberty Int. Airport. Because I was by the gate 2 hours early, I was on my laptop for an hour while charging my brand new Samsung phone. Thought I should eat something before boarding, so I packed my laptop and went. After eating, I went back to the same place to continue work on my laptop. Waiting for me was a couple with my phone stretched out and said, “hey, you left your phone here.” Since I “found” my phone without even realizing that I “lost” it, the experience wasn’t as harrowing as yours. 
My best friend and I (she’s in her late 70s…I am 60) were just discussing this kind of thing yesterday. She has a mantra “same place, every time” - she ensures that she doesn’t have those unnecessary panic moments by putting the important things (keys, wallet, ID, etc.) in the same place every time. She says when she comes home from the store, she’ll stop to place groceries on the counter, but then immediately goes and puts her keys where they go, and her purse where it goes. At the store, she’ll take 2 extra seconds (even if being glared at by the shopper behind her) to put her checkbook/debit card/whatever back in the ‘same place every time’ - When she takes the keys out of the ignition she places the keys in the small zippered compartment in her purse. She says she’s started setting a timer to go off when she’s cooking in case she gets side tracked, the bell “reminds” her even if she doesn’t need the reminder. She lives in a senior complex and apparently she’s the hit at the clubhouse as she’s super organized and doesn’t mind offering ideas and suggestions. I’ve taken a few of her suggestions (the purse and keys) and I do find I no longer have to hunt around.
You get the gist. Muscle memory and routine.
I travel frequently. My wallet would have been lost/left/forgotten numerous times, BUT I attach my wallet to the inside of my purse with a small travel wallet chain similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/RAM-PRO-Secure-Travel-Wallet-Trigger/dp/B01IPMH55C.
There is enough length to the chain to allow me to easily pull out the wallet and use it. I have been known to leave a counter after making a purchase only to find my wallet trailing along behind me - attached to the inside of my purse, but not properly returned and purse zipped up. Ooops.
I’m not normally scatter brained, but there is something about being in unfamiliar circumstances, slightly jet lagged, harried due to the usual airport and TSA buzz, thinking about upcoming agenda/itinerary, etc that makes it so easy to lose something. I recently left my rollaboard in one of the eating areas of the airline lounge where I was relaxing. I had gone to check the flight board and sat down in another area. It was almost an hour before I realized I’d left all my worldly goods behind. Couldn’t believe my lapse - very glad I hadn’t left it in a public area where it probably would have been scooped up as unattended luggage.
Yes, same place every time is key to sanity for me!
Oh, the same day that I “found” my brand new Samsung phone without even realizing that I “lost” it at Newark Liberty Int. Airport, I landed at my airport destiny only to realize that I had forgotten to note the letter of my parked lane. When you’re standing alone past midnight in this huge off-site airport parking lot that’s approximately 10 or more football field in size without a clue as to where the car is, you get panicky really quick.
Agree that having important travel items in a leashed pocket it or pouch that is attached to your backpack or purse is GREAT!
The shorter 8” chains at the same link in post #10 can be useful instead of 18”, depending on your style/needs. Whatever helps keep you organized and minimizes stress is great!
I’ve never lost my wallet (feel like I’m jinxing myself here…) but I find it is easy to take out my credit card to pay for something, get distracted and not remember to get my cc back, put it away, etc. Now, when it’s out, I leave my wallet out right in front of me and open (on the table at a restaurant, at a counter at a store) and don’t put my wallet away until my cc in back in its slot.
I too find it very helpful to make sure everything is in its designated spot. I suppose it’s comforting to hear others struggle with similar challenges.
I sometimes take a picture of the sign(s) indicating where I’m parked.
@Iglooo , my DD was 20 when she left her passport on the counter in the ladies room in the Osaka airport. Fortunately a group of Japanese moms ran after her waving it. These kind of mistakes happen at every age, though thank you for starting the discussion about not letting it increase.
lol, ^^ I often take a picture of the sign(s) indicating where I’m parked! Always when it’s not a place I go often and have a specific area where I consistently park.
We live in the DC area, which has two airports. My H was going on a work trip and went to the wrong airport. He decided he was going to try to hoof it over to the correct one, but he didn’t have time to run to his car and drive over, so he took a taxi and left his car behind.
So when he returned, he had to do the same in reverse adding a couple of hours to his trip.
He checks his itinerary carefully now.
We have left my waist pack with my wallet and lots of important stuff in the St Charles Streetcar when we were in New Orleans with our 2 little ones. Some kind soul found it and returned it to our hotel and wouldn’t leave their names or accept any reward! We didn’t even know we lost it until we got their phone call asking us to confirm we were staying at that hotel.
My mom left her purse with 4 US passports on a bus in Mexico. She was told it was hopeless but she did retrieve it intact with all passports!