Decluttering your mind
“Clutter is found in so many shapes and sizes. We can find it on our kitchen tables, under our beds, in our cars and in our heads.” Katrina Meyer
Just as physical clutter makes our homes feel like it’s too much, mental clutter is anything that makes our minds feel like they’re in overdrive. Stray thoughts, worries, fears, to-do lists - they all add up to mental clutter. What would you be able to accomplish if that mental space were freed up?
We wake up in the morning and check our phones, check our emails, check the news - and that’s all before we’ve even gone for a pee! Then we start going through our to-do list in our head - who is collecting the children from their after-school club, what’s for supper, have I made that doctor’s appointment? And when am I going to fit in writing that report and making that phone call? Did I upset my friend with that comment I made yesterday?
All of this ‘stuff’ takes up so much space in our heads that there’s very little space left to focus on what we really should be doing. Mental clutter takes us away from the present. What if we could clear space in our heads? It would be great, wouldn’t it - we’d then have more clarity and more focus. We’d be more productive and efficient and more importantly, we’d be able to spend more time looking after ourselves.
There are lots of ways to de-clutter your mind. Here are a few:
Set priorities - work out what matters most to you and your long-term goals, then write a list of your top priorities. Then create an action plan to meet those goals and how to allocate time so you can focus on each item on your list. You can also do this with short-term goals.
Learn to let go - as Roy T. Bennett says “ Accept yourself, love yourself and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.” Keep a track of and be aware of your thoughts and try to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. These negative emotions make you feel bogged down and will increase stress and reduce your self-esteem.
Declutter your workspace - people who have an organised workspace are more efficient and less stressed than those whose workspace is disorganised. Sometimes the task can feel overwhelming, but start by getting rid of all non-essential items on your desk and give everything that is left a proper place. Then every evening, when you leave your workspace, clean it up - that way it won’t build up and you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Talk to a friend - sharing how you feel with someone close to you is a great way of letting out emotions. It can also help you to see things from a different perspective, which can lead to making better decisions.
Switch off - turn off your phone, laptop and any other devices. Your brain needs a break if it’s going to function properly. Do something that makes you feel good.
