B073: How to declutter your mind

I want to simplify how to declutter your mind. When I spoke with Christy Lingo earlier this week, she shared some excellent tips on how to re-organize your workspace. It got me thinking… what if the same was true for your mind?

Like cleaning out a messy closet, it comes down to three simple steps:

1. Release
2. Review
3. Reset

Let’s simplify all this…

Declutter your mind in 3 simple steps

1. Release your thoughts

Any excellent personal organizer will tell you, you’ve got to pull everything out to know what you’re working with.

That’s the thing with hoarding… most people hold onto stuff for way, way too long out of fear that they might need it one day. So, they shove it away in the deep recesses of their closet for that day to come. But it never does… or worse, that day comes and you forgot where you stashed that super important thing.

So, what if the same thing is true with the clutter and noise in our mind?

Write it down to release the thoughts, and begin to declutter your mind:

• Set a 7-minute timer
• Journal out everything you’re worried about, big or small

You could focus on the things that are stressing you out at work or on your calendar this week.

Is it an awkward conversation you know you need to have, but keep avoiding? Or the fact that climate change is real and you don’t know what to do about it?

Pull it all out of your brain and onto paper. Better out than in. Let’s just take stock of what you’re working with.

2. Review the list

Remember, you are not your thoughts, and your thoughts might not be your reality.

So, if that’s the case, I want you to take a closer look at what you’ve written down. Start to take an inventory of everything that was swirling in your brain, in that moment. Fascinating stuff, right?

Some of it may be crystal clear, while other thoughts were lingering under the surface and you had no clue. This is all part of the process of getting rid of what you no longer need… like taking that old winter coat to goodwill or the charity shop.

All along the way, you must ask yourself, “Does this thought still have purpose? Does it help me get closer or further away from where I want to go?”

Time to gain clarity… here’s how.

• Circle anything you’ve written down that you feel like you have little or no control over. Things like the weather or how someone spoke to you recently. Or politics, heaven forbid… or that person. (You know the one.)
• Now, put a star next to things that would bring you the greatest relief if you were able to resolve them today. (Especially if it was as simple as clicking your fingers.)
• How many things have you circled? That shows the strength of belief you have to change your reality.
• If you find patterns in what you’ve written down, group your fears, thoughts or worries together in categories.
• Treat it like a game, so you can begin to diffuse the fear, simplify it, and begin to tap into your intuition for the next steps.

3. Reset your mind

Now here’s the fun part…

I know you’ve heard me say this before, but it bears repeating:

You are not responsible for other people’s thoughts, emotions, feelings, choices or actions.

You are simply responsible for your own.

When you fully embrace this truth (mind-body-spirit), life tends to become simpler. At least, your mind starts to become decluttered and you start to see what’s yours to carry (and what isn’t).

So, before you shove all the junk back into the deep, dark corners of your brain, take the time now to hit the reset button. Choose what you’re hanging on to, and put things back in their place with intention.

Take control

Decide what thoughts are serving you.

If there are worries, decide to acknowledge them and give yourself space to feel and process them.

Then, choose to make a plan of attack to handle them.

• It could mean picking up the phone, being bold, and asking for what you need.
• Does it mean calling a team meeting?
• Could it mean being more aggressive with how you save your hard-earned money?

Whatever is troubling you, don’t just put it back in your mind for another day. Journal it out, ask for help, and one day, you’ll find yourself choosing a different thought.

What if it were that simple to declutter your mind?

One final whisper

Take a moment to imagine your absolute favorite friend on the planet. Imagine them standing in front of you right now, reaching out their arms, ready to give you a great big bear hug.

Their loving, kind eyes see right though the worry written all over your face. They know what troubles you, and they know the exact remedy that would nourish your soul.

What do they offer you?

What do they say?

Write this down.

This might actually be your intuition speaking to you, asking for what she needs most.

As long as you know this choice is healthy and soul-quenching, go for it. Phone up your friend, ask for what you need and make it happen.

If this isn’t possible (for whatever reason), what if you dreamt about it tonight? I know, I know… crazy idea. But what if you could create this experience in your dreams tonight to help calm and soothe your mind?

Try it and let me know how it goes for you!

Our minds are powerful muscles.

It’s time to take back control.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It’s time to SIMPLIFY.