I cleaned out and rearranged my pantry Monday. It used to be arrange with the snacks on the middle shelf. When I feel that uncomfortable feeling of being with myself, I find myself in the pantry, just grabbing snacks. When I get frustrated with the kids, I unconsciously head straight for the pantry. When I think about my shortcomings and my failures, I head to the pantry. When I’m bored – pantry. When I think about my weight and how I’ve gained so much, and how far I have to go… off I go… to the pantry.
I took everything out and changed every single shelf. I didn’t really throw anything out. There’s a lot of snack foods the kids (and I) like. A huge goal of mine is to feel better about the things I allow them to eat, but I don’t think cutting them off cold-turkey from the snacks they are used to is the best approach. I need to set the example and gradually change things overtime.
Having 3 daughters, I worry a lot about their journey, and pray more than anything they love themselves and their bodies. I don’t want them to struggle with body image due to my struggle with mine. I have never once told them I was going on a diet. I have been talking to them about wanting to make healthier choices and improve our lifestyle, but I always say it in a positive way. I don’t talk down about my body with them in the room ever. But I don’t talk it up either… maybe I should say nice things about myself? That’s a topic for another day.
Back to the pantry. I moved the chips to the top shelf and their snacks to the 2nd highest shelf. The cereal is eye level, which are sugary choices, so I may reevaluate that later on. My goal was to break the habit of just reaching in, and to add some friction to obtaining the snack items. So far it seemed very helpful. I have to use a step stool to get to the bin of chips. Having the bin requires even more effort because I cannot simply reach into it, I have to pull the whole thing down.
In addition, I set a schedule for the girls for meals and snack times. I hung the schedule up, and my oldest references it throughout the day to see what the plan is and likes to keep me on track! Normally, they have pretty free rein with the snacks. The new set up requires them to ask for assistance for most things, and also gives them guidance on when they can expect to eat. After implementing these two things, over the last 2 days, I noticed they are definitely eating less and if they are still hungry, I offer fruit. They all seem really content and happy with the change, which is my hope, that we create small changes, building better habits as we go, without it being a big shock or feeling like a negative thing.
Rearranging the pantry changed a circumstance. The chips are on the top shelf. It did not change the thoughts that led me to the pantry in the first place. That is my work that I need to do to make lasting changes. If I don’t do the thought-work, I will simply develop a new habit of climbing the stool, pulling down the bin, and mindlessly attempting to push my feelings down with the food. I have been doing it for so long that I don’t know/acknowledge what I’m thinking and feeling. I know writing it down, getting it all out on paper would help, but I haven’t been able to even make myself do that.
At least my pantry is rearranged and beautiful. It’s the most organized space in the entire house right now. Baby steps and one day at a time!
The Difference A Year Can Make 