A small bag makes it easier to say yes to an extra street or a longer route home. The aim is to carry enough for comfort while leaving space for whatever the day brings.
Water, a compact umbrella, a charged phone and a reusable cloth cover most short outings. Add a light layer if the route includes an exposed promenade or a late journey home.
Keep the things you use most near the top. A camera that takes a minute to unpack tends to stay in the bag; a notebook buried under spare cables rarely gets opened.
After returning, remove anything that was carried out of habit and never used. Over time, the bag becomes a record of the walks you actually take.