How To Organize Your Pantry/ Living Space

I've had a lot of lives, been a lot of people. When I look back it can sometimes be a bit odd because it feels like I've shed skins and taken on new ones.

At one point in my life I was hired out to help people organize their apartments in NYC. I was working for an advertising exec as her everything girl-friday sorta person and when she saw how insane I was about being organized she lent me out to a few of her friends.

The first thing I found out was that everyone says they want to be organized but few are willing, ready or brave enough to part with things and ways that keep them, and their homes, barricaded with stuff. One of the first thing a client does is cry. They fight and claw and shake their heads and have temper-tantrums. They pay no mind to the fact that they are paying you to watch and listen to them have these outbursts.

It's part of the process:
    The letting go of disorganization. Insanity.

There are people I know who say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. There are others who say,

        If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got.

It's rare that you have less space than you think you have. Even if your living quarters are so small it would hurt to change your mind in them, you probably do have more space; but you're getting in your own way of having it because you're holding onto, clutching, strangling, your habits about how you fill space.

How to begin?

Take everything out of your cabinets/ closets/ drawers and put it on a table where you can see it. For all you know your wardrobe has a trap door and leads to a land with unicorns and winter witches and a dog named Tock, but you don't know it because shoes you haven't worn since high school are collecting dust in its corners.

It's best if you have a friend who is ruthless who can talk you through the next step.

The next step is:

BE RUTHLESS!

As you pick up each item, after it's all been taken out of said crevice, ask yourself, in a clear, bold, brave, domineering voice:

"AM I EVER GOING TO USE/ WEAR/ NEED/ WANT THIS THING AGAIN?"

Have 3 piles going:

1. The Absolutely Not pile.

2. The waffling pile.

3. The, I-will-cry-endless-tears-if-this-thing-is-torn-
from-my-possession pile.

Take a walk. Go to a movie. Sleep with someone inappropriate. Laugh at a lot of stupid jokes. Wiggle your toes and watch how weird they look. Drink too much. Do a few jumping jacks or other random exercise you haven't done since you were forced to do so by a gender unspecific gym teacher in grade school. Eat a lot of cookies. Sleep on the couch in from of the second season of Big Love. Bang your head like a rocker.

        Phew! Do you feel emptied out a bit? Clean-slate like? Ready to conquer pile #2?

Take as many days as you need to bag up pile number one and bring it to Goodwill. Invite another ruthless person over. Your mother-in-law maybe? Your ex primary lover's new top? Your friend whose house looks like a Museum of Modern Art gallery. The gardener/ housekeeper/ dog walker? You need an impartial party. You need someone who will not back down at your fighting. You need someone who will have a cold face but be able to massage your white knuckles when it's over.

This is pile #2 we're talking about. This is an exercise in ridding, remember. But you have your pride. You can't just let it all go easily, without a fight.

While everything is out of said spaces I like to vacuum and deep clean. Expose that space to air it hasn't breathed since it met you and your hoarding collecting ways. Look at that endless closet! It's a thing of beauty!

These are a few all purpose hints for the after-shedding:

Throw away wire hangers if you want your clothes to last more than one fashion season (= 6 weeks if you're pushing the limit.)

Get rid of stinky plastic Tupperware and replace with stackable glass when possible.

Put all your dry goods in glass jars and label them with the date on the package and the date you stored them.

Buy cedar packets for anything made of wool, cashmere, silk, velvet or other such delicious lovely material.

Battered women's shelters always need clothes and children's toys. Sometimes a local church or synagogue will be a drop-off point for people in need. The Salvation Army will often do a pick-up if you have furniture.

Create an inventory of everything (foodstuffs especially) and tape it to the inside of your most oft used door to your pantry. Try to use up older foodstuffs first.

If older than one year, throw out:

    Medication, flour, pasta, rice, cake mix, spices, dried herbs, baking powder, cereal, make up (especially that which you apply on or near your eyes), cooking oils, (----> anything else you can add to this list?)

Bed, Bath & Beyond is a great store for home organizational ideas. And The Container Store-- although I'm not a fan of storing everything in plastic. So is Ikea. Sometimes one little thing can make a small space feel like a roomy one. Measure your spaces and have a tape measure with you when you go shopping.

Consider using non-toxic cleaning products for your home. (Method is my current favorite.) Remember that baking soda is as abrasive as Comet but does not kill fish. Know that vinegar + water can leave a window streak free with just a little more elbow grease. Nourishing wood (furniture and cutting boards) with mineral oil, beeswax or canola oils is far better than something coming from an aerosol can. Wood is alive. It expands and absorbs water and moisture from the air. I have a table in my house that I thoroughly season once a year to keep it as "stain-proof" as I can. If you use Beeswax it also makes an incredible moisturizer for your skin.

*

Know this: I am a hopeless romantic. I have cards people sent me in fourth grade. I have all my photos and negatives. I keep pots I no longer use because they once lived in my grandmother's home.

Pile Number Three does not render you a wuss. It is as an important pile as #1 is. It's not easy to let go of things you've always had, to let go of ways you've always practiced. Especially if you're someone who has not always had a home.

This kind of organization takes courage. Remember that the recipe here is a healthy dose of fierce courage, fearlessness, ruthless truth telling and practical know-yourself chutzpah.

I follow a few rules when working with people. I try to see their style and take it all in, so as not to re-write their aesthetic with mine like a bulldozer. I attempt to de-clutter in such a way as to bring forth, visually, a home worth seeing. Like a good haircut, my help allows you to see a face fully. I remind people that space, and the lack of it, or the lack of intention in how one sets it up, can lead to a disconnect to one's home, one's heart.

How we arrange our space says a lot about who we are, and who we look forward to becoming. There's safety in same, I agree, but it's important to shake things up a bit here and there to let in something new.

I'll have some before and after pictures in a bit. Until then, anything you'd like to add to these ideas?

Comments

[Melissa]

You've put into words what we are attempting to do in our current move. Both D & I want to pare down. We didn't have to truly go through our things last time, as we moved in-building to a larger unit. Not sure if we'll pull it off, but at least we're both trying!

[Shanti]

I'm in the middle of a long move and just used the last two weeks to pare down. Amazing the things we hold onto - I had a huge box of VHS tapes but I haven't had a VCR in four years. Finally got rid of those after moving them cross country twice.

I'd add make-up to your list of things older than a year to throw out. Especially anything you use on your eyes.

[anita]

I keep wondering if I'd enjoy professional organizing; I love doing it for myself, but I think the gnashing and wailing would get to me. I'm a total organization junkie, too.

Don't cheap out on your organization supplies; you won't be as happy with the end result and it's a false economy to scrimp here. My favorite store is The Container Store. You can find some of their stock at other places, often cheaper, but not all of it in one place. And the way they set up the store can give you ideas.

If you aren't bankrupting yourself with the organizing goodies, try and give your space a present when your done, as a tangible reminder of your success. It can be something cheap like a new print or a coat of paint, or it can be something wonderful like a new couch. But you're not allowed to buy it until the purging part is done.

(ps: Phantom Tollbooth, yay!)

[Jasmine31]

Great post. Decluttering is what I am working on today.

[Diane]

I'm an organizational junkie too. A friend of mine keeps asking me to help her clean up her place, but she has serious OCD issues. Her house is piled three feet deep in every room (including bathrooms). No aisles. Nevertheless I gamely helped for a while. But I gave up when she refused to let me throw away an empty box for a vacuum she bought four years ago. And when she insisted on re-reviewing every scrap I put in the recycling bin to see if anything was valuable. Apparently it was, as she removed 1/2 the recycling scraps and put them in a bag for storage. At that point I gave up.

[shuna fish lydon]

Melissa!

Thanks for stopping by. Indeed-- what you all are doing is heroic. But look at you two-- so happy! I'm really excited for you in your new house.

Shanti,

Great, thanks-- I've added make-up to the list. (As you can see I probably don't have any...) :}

Anita,

Maybe this is why we like each other so much? We see the tucked corners in each other? Glad you like The Phantom Tollbooth too. It is my favorite book ever.

I think you could do it for a living because you see that the end result is so satisfying. Maybe take on a client here and there to get a taste?

Jasmine31,

Great! glad to be of service!

Diane,

Thank you for telling this story. I have met people with this disorder and it is really scary. They will always tell you that this is temporary, but it is a sickness that only gets worse. It's like a slow suffocation and it usually comes from profound trauma. I'm surprised this person let you in to help. I think that was a grace and I hope it helped with your compassion for her. Your words are always so wonderful here. Thank you.

[Kristin]

Thank You, Shuna! To motivate a purge, I was just trying to convince myself that I'm moving (I'm not, as long as it's rent-controlled). You worded it much more positively; and the pictures of your lovely home inspire.

[Ande]

Thank you, Shuna! This was just the pep talk I needed. I'm in the midst of letting go of a few things, in an effort to get organized (it's my annual January 'inventory and purge') and also pass on some items of which some one else can make better use - but had lost my focus today. I'm getting up from this computer right now and walking back into the room with all of my piles. Thank you for the inspiration.

[jennywenny]

Ug. I need to do this. Your clear photos of beautiful uncluttered things make me think that I would like to work towards that level of clarity in my living space. Lets see. Maybe if it rains this weekend...

[Elizabeth]

I am in awe.

Not only do you write beautiful and evocative prose, but you describe a difficult process with such gentle understanding.

Thanks for the inspiration. (Maybe if I begin with the most ridiculous shelf in my closet...)

[Diane]

Yes, Shuna: My friend is a good, kind person. I was amazed she let me see her place at all (most people don't get in her apartment). And I wasn't mean or judgmental when I backed out. I just said, "I can see this is hard for you and frustrating for me, so why don't we take a break for a while....if you need my help, I'm always here for you any time you want to ask me, but I don't want to ruin our friendship over a matter of cleaning your house!" That worked. I still help her with minor stuff, but the big issues are beyond me to handle.

[Katie]

I am a huge fan of organization, so I loved this post. Replacing plastic containers with glass ones is a really good idea, I never thought to do that.

now if you have any tips for how to motivate a disorganized significant other into becoming an organized one, I'd sure love that!

[Malini]

uh.uh. Not yet ready. I am still clutching those cute-pink- -soft-pair-of too-small-for-me-now socks and my knuckles are turning white!

[Kung Foodie Kat]

I once lived in a large one bedroom flat by myself and had just a mattress on the wood floor with a chrome globe lamp that could reflect back the entire room like a mirror. I just loved staring into at that image while I woke up in the morning....a long angled glowing honey floor and soft light coming through the blinds.

[Cakespy]

Oh you are relentless! I really need to print this out and get it tattooed on my forehead. Little miss "I need to save these pencil shavings! I am SURE I can do something creative with them"!!

[devon]

Ohhhhh, organization, how I love thee! I must admit, my eyes tend to shine a little bit walking through Office Depot or any other stores selling keys to the organizer's dream. =) However, I'm not rich, and I have a *lot* of stuff (cool stuff, beautiful stuff, and stuff I wouldn't be caught dead with if a family member hadn't shoved it in my hands in their own organizational breakthrough) to find space for. In the past couple of years I have discovered a few *happy* ways to minimize my clutter: 1) If someone is in my home or storage and makes a comment like, "Ooooh, THAT'S cool!" my answer is, "It's yours. Take it." With a grateful smile. Hey, everyone leaves happy. 2) Garage-sale or e-bay it, baby. Make some money - you deserve it! Clearing out your space is WORK: hard work deserves a reward. Put your money into savings and save up for something incredible! 3) De-cluttering your space de-clutters your mind. You know how good it feels when you're looking for something and it's actually where you thought it was? That can be your LIFE. Organization has perma-grin potential: how awesome is that?! Above all, have fun with it! Throw on some fabulous music, shake your butt a little, and do it to it. You will be so impressed with yourself, I swear.... *grin*

[robert]

shuna,

i love that you posted this. i'm in the middle of moving in with my boyfriend, into his (smallest) apartment (i have ever seen), and am having to give away/chuck/store years and years worth of things. where did they come from? how do i have fliers from the demonstration i went to outside a courthouse in indiana ten years ago? i'm purging; and your post helped.

[lindsey]

i get to start packing today! perhaps i shall use some of this

[carri]

Thanks, Shuna! My New years resolution was to declutter, inside and out...I'm still working on it, but your post reminded me of cleaning houses in Ann Arbor years ago for some of the professors, they had stacks and stacks of papers and misc. things all over the place! They would instruct me to dust and sweep and remove general dirt, but don't disturb the piles! Week after week, the same piles I would have to clean around...I wanted to help them so bad, but they couldn't let go!

[Laurie Gauguin]

I grew up in a family of hoarders, and I tried many times to break the habit, unsuccessfully.

I was finally forced to reconsider all of my possessions when I moved into a 10' x 12' cottage which was so tiny, it did not even have a closet.

I discovered in the two years that I lived there that I didn't need many possessions to be happy. When I eventually moved into a normal-sized apartment, I held onto my spartan ways and didn't buy anything additional.

I find a whole lot of freedom and breathing space in living with few possessions. Even if I live in a huge house someday, I won't be filling it with lots of "stuff."

[catherine ross]

I love this piece! I've been slowly shedding stuff for the last year. It does feel wonderful, but there's so far to go.This was very inspiring, although you make me realize I should never invite anyone but my closest friends and family to my home as it is.

[Shelly]

Wow...that was one amazing post.
My friend says "If there's junk under your bed there's junk in your head"...I love that. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Anh]

I'm off now to clean out my pantry... then closet... then drawers... Thank you for the wonderful post and the inspiration. Let us all clean out what we have outgrown- in our personal lives and in our government! Thanks again.

You are so welcome Anh! Glad to hear there might be more organization in the world of pantrys because of lil ol me... ~ Shuna

[Sabrina]

Glad I found this. It's just what we needed.

Unfortunately, my hubby and I never seem to be on the same 'just throw it out' page at the same time. Then we might go through a phase of looking at each others' mess, and asking, "what are you going to do about that?". So, I pray that we'll both land on the same page, at the same time, and look over our own mess AND have the energy/time/space to DO IT!