One of the best parts of being a massage therapist is the cool gear. We get to use funky tables and chairs, fancy oils, and listen to music while we work. One of the worst parts of being a massage therapist is dealing with all the gear. Or specifically for me, remembering the gear.

I don’t do outcalls or chair massage often anymore. So when I do, you can bet money on me forgetting something. Last week I forgot a face cradle cover and had to use an ill-fitting towel instead. Awhile back I couldn’t find nail clippers in my car, so I had to stop at a store on the way to a chair gig.

We’re not saving babies here (except when we are) so there’s usually a MacGyver solution to every problem. But still, I would much rather be prepared than look like a dork, or be late because I had to stop for a nail file.

I decided the best way to accommodate my own weaknesses is to mindfully make some lists of what I need, assemble the items, and organize into 3 sealable plastic bags. One each to live in my car, my massage table bag, and my massage chair bag. No, this is not rocket science. This is some pretty simple stuff that we all learned in massage school. And yet… the infrequency of doing outcalls and my general forgetfulness caused me to fall out of practice. It’s time to refresh and shape up.

What's below is a combination of a “Stuff Allissa usually forgets, so here’s how she can compensate for her own absurdity”  and  a “everything you need to do a gig” list.

For the car

In this plastic bag I keep:

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer
• Business Cards
• Breath mints

I have a really small car, so carrying any other gear all the time would be a hassle.

In the massage table bag's pocket

In the plastic bag I keep:

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer
• Business Cards
• 1 Small bottle fancy foot cream
• 1 Small bottle of unscented oil (in case I didn't notice my main oil was low)
• CD of massagey music  (in case there’s no port/option to use the music on my iPhone)
• 2 Face cradle covers / pillowcase (pillowcases are great make-shift face cradle covers, and can also turn anything into a bolster)
• Copy of massage license and insurance policy

Other table gig stuff I need to gather for each event:

• Travel clock
• Sheets for each client
• Oil holster & bottle
• Bolster
• Stool
• Travel pillow
• Heating pad
• Power strip w/ extension cord
• Small ipod dock or cd player

In the massage chair bag's pocket

In this plastic bag I keep:

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer
• Business Cards
• Copy of massage license and insurance policy

Other chair gig stuff I need to gather for each event:

• Lotion for clients' hands
• Disinfectant spray for chair
• Paper Towels (I use Kleenex Viva, since they also make great, soft disposable face rest covers)
• Small trash bag
• Music
• Small ipod dock or cd player
• Table-top sign with my business name, logo, etc.
• SWAG: custom magnets, Biofreeze brochures w/samples, stress balls
• Event-specific email sign up list

Those are my lists. But I want to know, what do YOU always forget? And how have you remedied that?