In a world that feels like it’s constantly shifting, where contracts fall through, clients pause services, and layoffs dominate headlines, many of us are quietly tightening our belts. What I’ve come to learn, both as a coach and a woman walking through it too, is that peace doesn’t always come from big solutions. Sometimes, it starts with a can of beans in the back of your pantry.
When our household hit a slow season, I could’ve spiraled. The weight of a lost contract or an empty calendar has a way of seeping into everything,our patience, our sleep, even the way we speak to the people we love. But instead of trying to pretend like nothing changed, I decided to acknowledge the shift, and respond in kind.
I Started with the Pantry
I challenged myself: Could we go one full week without spending a dime on groceries or restaurants? I cook nearly every day, so I opened my chest freezer, took inventory of my pantry, and started planning meals. That one small shift saved us $250 and gave me something far more valuable: control.
Suddenly, I wasn’t spiraling. I was creating. There’s something deeply grounding about knowing your family is nourished by your own hands and creativity. It was the reminder I needed: I may not control the market, but I do control my home.
Then, the Closet
From the pantry, I moved to my closet, one shoe at a time. I cleaned. I organized. I donated. And something inside me began to lift. Letting go of what I no longer wear reminded me that simplicity creates space. And in that space, grace flows more freely.
Giving Forward, Not Just Cutting Back
I’m also choosing to volunteer once a week, because when we serve others, we gain more than we give. New connections, new perspectives, and a sense of purpose that no paycheck can buy. This isn’t just about surviving hard times; it’s about transforming them.
Facing the Finances
The hardest part? Facing my credit cards. Every last one. I asked myself the hard questions:
• Why do I have this card?
• Is it helping or hurting me?
• Can I consolidate? Transfer the balance? Close it altogether?
It was daunting to see the numbers in black and white, but I remembered a truth I often tell my clients: “You can’t fix what you won’t face.” I took a deep breath and asked myself, How do you eat an elephant? The answer is always the same: One bite at a time.
Feeding My Brain Good Things
In this season of recalibration, I’m also feeding my mind. I pulled out a tool I’ve used before:
The $1,000 Challenge by Brian O’Connor. This book breaks down how to save (or reclaim) $1,000 a month in ten specific areas. It’s practical, doable, and a powerful reminder that small shifts add up.
Pantry Days aren’t about lack. They’re about alignment. They remind us to focus on what we do have, to simplify, to connect, and to be resourceful. And perhaps most importantly, they help us reclaim our peace when the world tries to steal it.
So if you’re in a season like mine,breathe. Start small. Start with what you can touch. And remember, you’re not alone.
We’re all just trying to make something beautiful out of the ingredients we’ve got.
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