Gallon-Size Bags

I had a realization last month when I was dividing up a bulk package of chicken breasts: I waste a lot.

The package of chicken contained six breasts in total, as it usually does, and I like to put two breasts each into individual bags so that I can store them in the freezer for later use. When I went to grab three gallon-size bags, like I usually do, I noticed that we were out of those particular bags.

I had a mild panic—what would I do now?

But then I saw that we still had some quart-size bags, so I decided to test out this alternative option to see if it would solve my problem.

It turns out it did, easily.

Here I was, convinced that a quart-size bag would be too small to contain two chicken breasts, but apparently, a gallon-size bag is excessive and wasteful. I just never took the time to check because I was never put in a position to have to.

It got me thinking about other areas where I’ve been unintentionally wasteful due to poor habits or by default. The leftovers in the fridge we toss a couple of days later because they got pushed to the back, where they are just out of sight. The time spent scrolling on social media when I should be doing things that are important to me. The water running while I’m soaping the dishes or the lights on when no one is in the room.

All unintentional waste.

Then I started thinking about appreciation and gratitude, and how by taking a closer look at how I do things day-by-day or week-by-week, there are so many opportunities where I could put in a little extra effort or awareness into how I make choices that can increase my appreciation and gratitude for this life that I’m living.  

I’m grateful for the ability to buy gallon-size and quart-size bags and chicken in bulk. I’m grateful for the food in my fridge, my undistracted time, clean water, and electricity.

But why don’t I act like I am?

I guess the point is that we’re all human, and we all take things for granted sometimes. It’s not until we’re forced to see things or do things differently that we realize how out of balance, wasteful, or unappreciative we are behaving.

It’s easy to be unintentionally wasteful or ungrateful when things are good.

And maybe I’ve had it too good for too long now.

It’s a great reminder for me to put a little more appreciation and intention into the things that matter most to me and keep an eye out for areas where I can reduce waste and be more resourceful.