Clutter is not just stuff on the floor – it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.
Peter Walsh
Our lives are filled with bullshit clutter, whether it’s a desk covered with papers, a kitchen drawer stuffed with items that don’t seem to belong anywhere else, or an overwhelmed mind trying to deal with too much.
Our focus here is your mind. When your mind is cluttered it becomes tired.
That’s when bad things happen – poor attitude, poor performance, and poor decisions, amongst other things. So, it’s a great idea to eliminate all of the clutter rolling around in your mind. And, lucky for you, you can declutter your mind, just as you can declutter your kitchen drawer.
Ways to declutter your mind and gain clarity.
Start with your diet. A poor diet can result in a foggy and confused mind. The main culprit is inflammation and unstable sugar levels. There are plenty of resources available on anti-inflammation diets.
A good place to start? Avoid processed carbohydrates and all the foods that your mother told you were bad for you.
Exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, few things can clear your mind as well as a good workout – that’s a fact, Jack! It’s great for your mind and body.
Simplify your life. You might just have too much going on.
Cut out activities that don’t add significantly to your life or your enjoyment. Clamp down on optional activities. It’s easy to become bogged down by things that don’t matter, taking time away from other things that can bring you joy and relaxation.
Create habits. Habits eliminate the need for making decisions. It streamlines your thought process. Eating the same thing for breakfast each day is an example of a habit that avoids having to make a decision. Create daily and weekly habits that take care of your basic needs.
Use lists. Creating mental notes to yourself to do something at a later day or time requires a lot of mental resources. It’s always in the back of your mind, taking up part of your attention.
By writing it down, you’re free to eliminate it from your awareness. It’s right there on the paper (or an app) instead.
Use single-tasking.
Studies have shown that it’s more effective to do one thing at a time. Complete it and then move on. You’ll stay fresher mentally and get more accomplished each day.
Make decisions quickly. Decisions that you put off begin piling up in your mind and take up valuable space and resources. Successful people make decisions quickly and stick with them. Unless you need more information, make a decision. You won’t be any smarter tomorrow or next month, so get it over with and decide.
Rest your mind each day. Reading, watching TV, or surfing the internet do not count as a rest. Meditation or sitting alone can be considered rest. Sit outside and enjoy nature. Stay focused on your surroundings and avoid allowing your mind to think about anything other than your surroundings. Get away from all of the noise that surrounds and occupies your mind all day.
Prioritize. There’s a limit to how much anyone can do in a day. The secret is to get the most important things accomplished. The easiest way to do this is prioritization. Decide what’s most important and start working there.
Do something kind for someone else. Your cluttered mind is too focused on your own challenges. Give it a break by helping someone else.
The result is a clearer mind and a refreshed perspective. Just two hours of volunteer activity per week has a profound effect on your attitude. It can change your life. It’s a simple thing that can add a lot of value to your life.
Final thoughts.
Clutter is everywhere. Some is controllable, and some is not. The clutter between your ears is under your control. Simplify your life as much as possible. The less you have to deal with, the easier it is to avoid mental clutter. Give your mind regular breaks throughout the day. Use your time as advantageously as possible. Prioritize. You’ll enjoy the peace and clarity that result.
