What’s In My Bag: Beach Edition

What’s In My Bag: Beach Edition

BY TISHAN COWAN

I love the beach. I love the sensations of a salty breeze, the existential stare-down with the ocean, the rhythm of the waves, the sounds of seagulls and sometimes- the texture of the sand.  I look forward to the dreamy experience of it all until I remember: a dreamy beach day can quickly turn feral. Between the texture roulette of sand, the overbearing sun that never leaves, my skin itches from re-applying sunblock and the sand has that mysteriously ended up in crevices I didn’t even know existed and the 900 things you forgot to pack (umbrella? snacks? sunscreen that doesn’t make my skin scream?). Loving something doesn’t mean it loves you back, and the beach can be a full-on sensory attack if you’re not prepared.Especially if you’re neurodivergent and your nervous system is already doing its best impersonation of a glitchy Windows ‘98 startup.

But after many years of battling optimisim in the am with fleeing needs to regulate by pm, I finally found the system that works.

Turns out, a little prep and a lot of intention go a long way. I stopped chasing the minimalist Pinterest fantasy and started packing like a sunscreen-obsessed chaos gremlin with a knack for overplanning. The result? Actual peace. Fewer meltdowns. Zero crushed hats.

Here’s what’s in my beach bag this summer. Curated for regulation, joy, and the deeply specific need to not scream when sunscreen drips into your eyeball.

Refillable Sunblock Applicators

Hate having to touch sunblock so you get a bit burnt as a result? Me too. Here are some options to avoid touching alltogether in hopes that your skin doesnt burn. These Sunblock applicators come in 3 different types. Take your favorite skin sensitive sunblock and fill it up. 

Refillable Roll On Applicator

Refillable Sunscreen Brush

Stimming Lotion Squeeze Applicator

Outdoor Beach Mat

Love playing with the texture of sand when it’s dry, but need it not to encroach on your personal space?This water-resistant mat repels clingy grains and creates a chill, dry buffer from wet sand or suspicious grass. It’s oversized enough to fit the whole family, lightweight, and even has a hole in the middle for your umbrella. Cute, clever, chaos-proof.

Backless Sun Hat

Sun stress? Blocked. This wide-brimmed wonder is cute, functional, and backless(!), so you can recline without doing a hat origami routine. The straw braiding doubles as a tactile stim, which I love when my hands need something soothing. She’s stylish and she gets me.

Rechargeable Fan

Overheating is bound to bring me a meltdown. This USB-charged lifesaver has been my go-to when the sun feels like it’s doing personal attacks. Quiet, compact, and car-charger compatible (because cooling down shouldn’t require a logistics team). Bonus: it’s also a great social cue if you need a little buffer from unwanted smells from your beach neighbor.. Just turn it on and face it their way.

The Tote
(AKA My Beach Go Bag)

There’s something about a big canvas bag that screams beach (and in my case, probably mom). This tote is built for summer madness: sand, salt, and sudden urges to organize your entire life mid-beach hang. Highlights include a zip top (no spills), hat holder (genius), and secret back pocket for stashing valuables while you’re swimming. It’s even got enough pockets to satisfy even my color-coded-pouch brain.

Cooling Beach Towel

When things start overheating — literally or emotionally — this towel steps in. It activates with a bit of water and a snap, and stays cool for up to 6 hours without getting soggy or clingy. Lightweight, packable, and infused with Jadestone for that extra cooling factor. It’s an easy way to reset when the heat starts to mess with your regulation. The best bit? It’s made from 100% recycled water bottles and is certified B-Corp. 

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