Walking into a giant warehouse store it is impossible to not be impressed with the way the merchandise is stored. There is cantilever racking, display bays, netting, wire partitions and hundreds of little items easily reachable. The aisles are free to walk down, usually 6 to 10 feet wide. The shelves are stuffed with merchandise. Above on the top is the over stock, items that are stored but not needed at the moment, so they are placed out of the way. The shelves are so jammed with items that walking through the store is like walking through a maze of canyons. Take away the merchandise and the store can be viewed from end to end. Take away the shelving and several football games could be played in the freed up space. Now imagine our inner life like a giant warehouse, filled with shelves where memories, regrets, desires, phobias, dreams and all the workings of the soul are stored. Any therapist will likely express the belief that much of what people have stored on there inner shelves is unhelpful to living a full and vigorous life.
Many therapists work hard to help clients free their shelves of items that can do damage and lead to self destructive behavior. Any retailer knows that stock not moving on a shelf is taking up space, and costing profit. These items are cleared out to make way for something that adds value. What happens when we walk down the aisles of our inner world and begin to take stock? For many people clearing the clutter from the shelves, real or metaphorical creates space, peace, and value.
Shelf Unit Storage
The first step in an inner inventory is seldom fun. Like taking stock of items in a store, it requires time and attention. The goal isn't to immediately restock, clear out, or change the displays. The goal is first to know what is present and what is absent. It used to be a process of weekly or monthly physical counting. As managers got smarter and technology allowed, inventory became and automatic and continual process. Most people don't regularly do a personal inventory, but as it becomes a habit, it also becomes an automatic and conscious process. An inner inventory requires honesty and contemplation. Like walking into a cluttered store it is overwhelming and difficult to take in all at once. It is one item at a time. Explore what is on the inner shelves by just taking stock and observing.
The items on our inner shelves can range from the horrific to the sublime. Often we discover some useless regret taking up space. Clear it off the shelf and make room for something new. Sometimes we discover a forgotten desire or passion, some dream left collecting dust. It too is taking up space. Should it be removed or should it be placed on display and actively marketed?
Taking the time to walk through our shelved hopes, dreams, resentments, regrets and long held desires helps to clear the shelves of the value draining items and make way for new value giving experiences and a cleaner less cluttered life.