Is your mind clear and focused or full of about a million thoughts and things to do?
There are all sorts of resources to tame the physical clutter. I have many of my own.. the 10 Day De-Clutter-a-thon, How to De-Clutter Stress free, 10 De-Cluttering Ideas, and more.
But what about the clutter that lives somewhere else.. our mind.
If you’re anything like me, then your mind is spinning seemingly non-stop. But there are ways to get some mental rest and some peace and quiet. Here are 5 ways to de-clutter your mind.
Create Systems
Creating systems and routines for things that need to be done can make those tasks seem pretty mindless once you’re used to them.
For example, when your routine is set to exercise first thing in the morning, then it’s something you will eventually do automatically.
Another example is to create a bill payment system. I have many of ours set to autopay – it’s one less thing to remember to do each month!
Make Lists
It’s important to get all of those to-dos written down in a consistent place so you don’t have to worry about remembering everything you need to do… you just take a peek at your list!
I have both long term lists and short term lists like things to get done daily and weekly. I’ve always been quite the list-maker but it does keep me organized!
Keep a Journal
If you’re keeping a list for all of your things to do, keeping a journal is a great way to keep track of all of your other thoughts, memories, and important events.
I also like to keep a gratitude journal. Writing down what you are grateful for can change your perspective and give you a more positive mindset.
I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for a couple of years now and the habit of practicing gratitude helped get me through a season of significant loss.
Through my life, my overall journaling has gone in spurts. But when I do it’s nice to look back and see how things have ended and how God has worked in my life.
Use a Task Management System
Do you have a task management system? It could be on your phone or in a physical planner, but it’s important to have one central location where you keep all of your tasks and due dates stored.
I use both a paper planner and an app to keep track of things – a paper planner and Google Keep. in Keep it’s easy to make a quick to do list and store any notes I need. In my planner I keep my overall plan and daily tasks.
More recently I’ve started using Trello to track some things as well – such as our daily routines, goals, and specific projects.
You can learn how I use Trello to track my goals in this post.
De-Stress
This is going to look different for everyone, but for me, my favorite ways to de-stress are to take a walk, color an adult coloring page, hand letter, update my planner, and read a good book.
Take time to do something you enjoy to de-stress and get your mind off whatever is bothering you. It’s tempting to feel selfish to take that time for yourself. Believe me, I’ve been there. But when I take just a little bit of time to relax I end up feeling rejuvenated. I’m more productive and therefore have more time to spend on other things.
I think sometimes mental de-cluttering is as important as clearing the physical clutter. With a clear mind, we’re able to put more focus on what truly matters.
Take steps today to de-clutter your mind and experience more mental peace.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antione de Saint-Exupery
With a plan in place, you’ll be too busy working towards your personal goals to worry about what other people are doing. Success looks different for everyone, so if you are working towards your definition of it then you can’t really go wrong.
Know that God has a unique plan for YOU
This goes right along with not comparing yourself to others – your story is unique and so will your life journey. Even if your goal is a similar destination as someone else, the path to get there will probably be different for each of you. So embrace your uniqueness – you are exactly who God created you to be.
When you practice these steps to cultivate a habit of contentment in day to day life, you will find yourself more content with your circumstances and less worried about what others have or are doing. Embrace your life and the joy that comes with following your unique path.
These are great tips. Thank you. After moving with a family of 10 last year I did a lot of physical decluttering which seems to have left my mind very cluttered 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading some more of your decluttering tips.
So glad you liked the tips – hope you enjoy the other ones too. Thanks for stopping by!
These are such great tips – I have to write everything down or I just constantly worry about it!
I’m the same way – I start getting stressed out if I don’t have things written down!
I would love it if you would tell me more about your systems. I feel like I’m lacking in that area.
I’ll definitely work on some future posts outlining my systems. Thanks for the suggestion!
These are wonderful tips and I love how your post is not cluttered! Great work.
Great post! 🙂
I have decided to do exactly that! De-stress.
It is my birthday this month and I’ve decided I need to pay some attention to myself.
I have decided to take a break and for the month of April I am going to give myself as much attention as I usually give to organizing, cleaning, sorting, purging. Its time to take care of myself a little 🙂
Good for you! Hope you have a wonderful, restful month! And happy birthday 🙂
Lists are my life! I love to-do lists and have a few going at any given moment – for work, personal, bigger projects, etc. I also love to de-sress, and try to have a few different quick ideas that will help me relax. Things like reading, going for a walk, a mini nap.
I think this was for me today! But I need to start at the bottom of the list and work up. I try to stay organized, but I do have my seasons of scattered.
Great tips. So important to know nowadays in our all to busy world..
I couldn’t agree with you more Laura. A cluttered mind is dangerous. I especially think it is important for women to de-stress before bed and try to allow their mind to rest when they rest their body. I think the biggest mistake we can make is going to bed with a cluttered mind!
Yes, I totally agree! If I don’t de-stress before bed I find I don’t sleep very well.
Good list! I meditate with my son to unclutter my mind. That and deep breathing!
I think I declutter by stopping and looking to God. Trying to find a time to move away from the chaos and just pray for strength and that He would fill me. Sometimes I go through the list of what I am looking at. What will this look like in the future, not just right now. And then it gives me more of a perspective of what I need to do and what I am doing in my family and in my everyday obligations.
Decluttering is a goal of mine this year in every area — mind, home and heart. It’s hard for me to make decisions even when I feel “cluttered” in my life. SIMPLIFYING my life is what I am after and I know it starts with getting rid of clutter in all areas!
Thanks for a great article
Destressing is something I’m not doing enough of lately, and it is making life less enjoyable. I am going to work on this