Actually means: actions taken solely for the feeling (or the appearance) of doing something about an unavoidable situation; actions that not only accomplish nothing but *blatantly* accomplish nothing.
Shelfing is an activity where people try to fit themselves inside a closet. It is a prerequisite for proper shelfing that the closet is not larger than your body volume plus 0,5 m3.
I saw two gals at the museum who had lots of fun shelfing in an antique closet, with the curator planking on the top of it.