Three Life Lessons I Learned from my Bottom Pantry Shelf

We remodeled our kitchen in 2014.  (Pay attention to that date.)  One of the delights of the new layout and new cabinets was the inclusion of a pantry cabinet, complete with pull-out shelves.  I knew it would be a game-changer for storage, but I was still surprised at how much goodness we’d be able to stock on those shelves.  So. Much. Goodness. 

Except for the bottom shelf.

That shelf became my nemesis.  The bottom shelf was where we kept cereal boxes and bagged snacks (you know, chips, pretzels, and all the good stuff).  The problem?  Bagged snacks don’t do well on a flat shelf that moves in and out but has no sides or structure. 

See Exhibit A:  Before

This was a pretty typical view of our bottom shelf.  It would have been more illustrative and entertaining if I could show you a short video of what it was like to pull it out and have snacks go sliding everywhere – but then you would have heard me muttering not-so-nice words, so we’re not doing that. 

While this shelf changed contents often, the functionality of this shelf did not.  For nearly nine years.  Nine years! I’m embarrassed to say that it was only a few months ago that I made a life-altering change.

I added a basket. 

See Exhibit B:  After

Finally! 

Structure, neatness, organization. 

No more stacked and sliding bags. 

No more chaos. 

No more muttering and swearing.

Why am I sharing this? 

Because I quickly saw the life lessons (ones that I’m clearly still learning), and thought you might relate.

Life lesson 1:

Organizing lowers my frustration and helps my mental state.

One of my top needs is order.  I don’t need total cleanliness and neatness, but persistent disarray in my physical – or mental – world increases my frustration and prevents me from being my best.  The pantry is just a symbol.  It didn’t really make my life awful, but it pointed out to me how important it is that things are organized, aligned, and coherent. 

This is true for me about my time, my projects and tasks, and my life priorities.  It’s why I love The REALIFE Process – it’s a system that brings order and alignment to a life that could quickly feel chaotic and frustrating.

Even if order isn’t one of your top needs, most people feel better when their lives (their physical space, their time, their responsibilities, or their priorities) are more organized, aligned, and coherent. 

What area(s) of your life could use a little organizing?  How would you feel if it was a little more organized?

Life lesson 2:

Organizing allows it to hold more.

Again, the pantry is a good metaphor.  That shelf holds so much more now that it’s organized properly.  I think the same is true for my life and my time.  I am conscious about my capacity, and I still have to be careful not to overpack my schedule, but I find that I can accomplish more and be attentive to more of my important roles in life when my life is organized.

What does this kind of “life organization” look like?  It can take the form of intentional planning and thoughtful review.  It shows up as effective time management.  It means aligning my life and my decisions with my values.  This kind of “order” to life is not rigid or overly structured or scheduled.  I have flexibility and freedom.  But I also have a sturdy foundation that keeps me balanced and aligned.

What impact would organizing your time, responsibilities, or priorities have on you?  What might it make possible, or make more room for?

Life lesson 3:

Organizing it wasn’t that hard; the most important step was recognizing that I had the power to do it.

All I did was add a basket.  I didn’t even need to buy the basket; it was sitting unused in a different cupboard.  So what was the obstacle?  Me.  My own thinking.  I got stuck in “It is what it is” and forgot to ask “How might it be different?”  And if I’m being really honest, I’d been thinking that a basket might help LONG before I actually went to grab it and put it in the pantry.  Which means the real obstacle was that I had to make a choice and take the action.  The obstacle was that I needed to claim my power in the situation.  Instead of “How might it be different” – which might have led me to complain about pantry designers – I needed to ask “How can I make it different?”

I’ll grant you that my paltry pantry is nothing compared to the real life challenges we face.  But the principle is the same.  We have more power than we think we do.  We have the ability to choose and to act.  Admittedly, there will always be things beyond our control or influence.  But we often have more ability to take initiative than we acknowledge.

When it comes to organizing our life, our time, our responsibilities, and our priorities, we have the power to choose and act.  Our lives might feel horribly disorganized in some ways.  We can choose differently.

What is within your power to do differently so that your life feels more organized and aligned and works better for you?  What support do you need to do that?

My pantry shelf solution continues to bring me a sense of relief and accomplishment.  I hope this story gives you the motivation you need to bring greater order to your life… or at least your own pantry.

P.S. There are loads of methods and tools that can help life work better for you.  And there’s support to be found if you’re willing to ask for it.  I hope you’re finding the resources and people you need to help your life work better for you.  But if you’re feeling stuck, and need some help reorganizing the pantry of your life, you might consider the Be Real, Be Teal process, starting in September.  It’s coaching, it’s community, and it's a step-by-step process that brings amazing results WITHOUT overwhelming you.  Believe me, and believe those who’ve been through it, it’s even more satisfying than organizing a pantry!  But doors are about to close, so get in touch with me NOW so you don’t miss out!