If you ever want to understand someone’s real life, don’t read their CV – look in their bag. My small travel case has become a kind of accidental autobiography. Here’s what’s actually in it, and what each thing quietly says about this work.

The flat shoes nobody expects

Yes, there are heels. But tucked beside them is always a pair of flats. Long evenings, cobbled streets, an unplanned walk – glamour is lovely, but comfort is what lets you stay present for hours. The flats are a small reminder that the job is far more marathon than photo shoot.

A book I’m always halfway through

There’s usually a paperback in there, dog-eared and a little battered. Waiting is a big part of this life – trains, lobbies, those deliberate ten minutes early. A good book turns dead time into something I look forward to, and it’s sparked more genuine conversations than any opening line ever could.

The phone charger, and the rule around it

Two chargers, actually, because a flat battery isn’t an option when someone might need to reach me. It’s a tiny thing that says something bigger: this work runs on reliability. Being reachable, being on time, being where I said I’d be – that’s the unglamorous backbone of it all.

Something that smells like home

A small bottle of the same scent, always. On the road, in unfamiliar rooms, a familiar smell is an anchor. It keeps me grounded and myself, which matters more than people think. You can’t make someone else feel at ease if you’ve lost track of your own centre.

The things I never pack

No work worries, no leftover stress from the day – or at least, I try to leave them at the door. The most important part of my luggage is the stuff I deliberately don’t bring. Showing up light, calm and fully here is the whole point.

The takeaway

A suitcase is just a small box of choices. Mine says this job is less about sparkle and more about being prepared, reliable and genuinely present. Take a look in your own bag sometime – you might be surprised what it’s quietly telling you about your life.