As professional organizers, we talk a LOT about decluttering. Or as some would call it, the edit. I mean, it is a BIG part of organization. The less stuff you have the easier it is to organize and keep it organized. Most of us can admit we probably have too much stuff. After all, here in America, millions of people spend $100-$500 a month or more on storage units! That’s thousands of dollars a year to store stuff that they probably wouldn’t even miss. But that’s for another article…
When I refer to clutter, I am talking about the stuff that takes up our precious space. The stuff that has no meaning or purpose. This looks very different house to house, person to person. Let’s take that definition and apply it to clutter in our minds. Let me repeat-clutter is something (or some thought) that takes up space that has no meaning or purpose.
We live in a world that allows clutter to enter our mind every second of every day. We can check the news from around the world wherever we are whenever we want. We get alerts on our phone when a storm is approaching or a package will be delayed. We can see what our friends or even strangers are having for dinner, watch their kid hit their first home run and be a part of someone’s most intimate moments in life. Everything is content.
Think about it. Engagements used to be just for the couple and a few lucky family members who were able to be a part of the planning. But now there are professional photographers, live streaming, etc. Birthday parties can be a full on YouTube web series if you want and no doubt, someone will tune in!
Now don’t get me wrong, not all of this is bad. It’s just an example of how easily clutter can fill our minds and how easily that clutter can distract us from the things our minds were actually designed to do.
Think about this. How many seconds, minutes or hours a day do you spend thinking about something you saw on Instagram? Or the news?
How many seconds do you spend thinking about your purpose? Or how many seconds a day do you spend being grateful? Maybe a decluttered mind would allow you to spend more time on those thoughts…and those are “feel good” thoughts!
We teach our client’s to be mindful of what they bring into their home and you should also be mindful of what you allow into your mind. Be intentional with it. This doesn’t mean that you delete your social apps or all your push notifications. This might mean that you intentionally spend 20 minutes a day on the gram looking at accounts that truly make you feel good or better you in some way (versus mindlessly scrolling). Go ahead and turn off all those pesky push notifications aside from just a few that are really helpful.
This is just a starting point. Below we have made a list that will help you take this idea to the next level.
5 Habits to Declutter Your Mind Daily
1. Journal-Get those thoughts out on paper! Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation. Use lists or bullet points or run on sentences, it doesn’t matter. The only goal is to get what is on your mind out on paper. The release that you will feel from this exercise is tangible!
2. Work out-Clear your head with a workout. The options are unlimited. You will know you found the right work out for you when you no longer dread doing it and it quickly becomes something you look forward to! Try different things until you find that activity that you feel excited to commit to. Getting outside is a bonus! When we get outside it truly allows us to get out of our heads.
3. Prayer/Meditation-Start small if you want to. Some days you might feel moved to pray or meditate for just a minute or two...it all matters!
4. Talk it out-There has been a culture of positivity taking over lately. We love that, but it can be taken too far. There is a difference between venting and complaining. Don’t hold things in! Those feelings that you push down will always bubble back up. Find a safe space (a friend, therapist, etc.) where you can speak your mind.
5. Sleep-The NIH has actually been doing studies that point to new research that proves while we sleep our brain flushes out toxins that have built up over the day! The power of a good night’s rest is very real. Minimize the physical clutter in your room and make sure to have a digital free period leading up to your head hitting the pillow.
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-sleep-clears-brain