Declutter your Mind

 

                 Photo by Kaboompics.com

A Fun and Simple Guide to Mental Spring Cleaning

Ever feel like your brain is a  over cluttered attic, filled with old thoughts, useless worries, and mental cobwebs? Yeah, me too. We all have those days where our minds feel like a messy storage drawer—full of random worries, half-finished ideas, and that one embarrassing memory from elementary school that won’t go away.

But fear not! Just like we can clean up our homes, we can also declutter our minds. And no, you don’t need to hire a professional organizer to show up at your doorstep. This is something you can do yourself—starting today! So, grab a mental trash bag, and let’s empty out that mental mess.

Step 1: Identify the Mental Clutter

Before we start tossing things out, let’s figure out what’s actually making your brain feel like a chaotic storage space. Mental clutter can accumulate in many forms:

Overthinking – Ever lie awake at 2 AM staring at the ceiling replaying an awkward conversation from three years ago? Yeah, that’s definitely has to go.

Negative Self-Talk – If you wouldn’t say it to your best friend or loved one, why say it to yourself?

Unfinished Business – That thing you keep putting off to the next day and next day? It’s renting space in your brain… free of charge!

Information Overload – Way too many notifications, emails, and news updates? Time to hit the unsubscribe button from some mental junk mail.

Worry About the Future – Planning is good for us. Constantly stressing about things out of your control? Not so much.

Once you know what’s cluttering your mind, you can start cleaning it out.

Step 2: Take Out the Mental Trash

Imagine your mind as a giant email like inbox. Right now, it’s full of spam emails, old messages not seen in years, and random junk. Let’s start deleting some of that stuff right away.

1. The "Let It Go" Method (Sorry, Elsa Had a Point)

Some things are just not worth the brain space they occupy. That argument you still hold onto from five years ago? Gone. That embarrassing thing you did in high school where everyone laughed at you? Deleted. The guilt over eating an entire extra cheese pizza last weekend? Poof. If it doesn’t serve you, just let it go.

2. The Brain Dump (Like Taking Out the Trash, But Less Smelly)

When your brain feels overloaded and about to mentally explode, grab a journal and start writing down everything on your mind. No rules, no judgment—just get it all out. This is an amazing tool to use. It’s like emptying an overfull purse before you reorganize it. Once it’s all written down, you can decide what actually needs your attention and what’s just background noise.

3. The "Unsubscribe" Button for Your Brain

Your mind is constantly being bombarded with information from all directions—news, social media, never ending group chats. If this is stressing you out, unsubscribe. Mute your notifications, unfollow accounts that drain all your energy, and stop checking your email every 15 minutes. Trust me, the world will keep spinning regardless of how fast you answer that email.

Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts (No Fancy Labels Required)

Now that we’ve cleared out the junk, let’s get all those thoughts in order.

1. Prioritize Like a Boss

Not every thought deserves VIP treatment in your brain. Ask yourself:

Does this thought help me in any way?

Can I do something about it right now?

Is this just my brain being over dramatic?

If a thought isn’t helpful, toss it into the “not my problem” pile.

2. Create a Mental To-Do List

Instead of keeping everything floating around in your head, write down what actually matters in that same journal I mentioned earlier. Keep a simple to-do list so your brain doesn’t have to store everything like an overstuffed closet.

3. Set Boundaries with Your Brain

Your brain needs downtime and relaxation, just like your body. Set limits on how much time you worry. If a stressful thought pops up outside of the "worry timeframe," tell it to chill out for a moment and come back later.

Step 4: Make Room for What Matters

Decluttering isn’t just about removing stuff—it’s about making space for the good stuff. So, let’s fill that newly cleared mental space with things that bring you peace, joy, and a little bit of sanity.

1. Practice Mindfulness (No Yoga Mat Required)

You don’t have to be a meditation guru to practice mindfulness. Just take a moment each day to breathe, be present, and appreciate what’s around you. I try to spend 45 minutes to an hour per day mediating. Even something as simple as drinking your coffee while watching the sunrise can be a mini-meditation.

2. Feed Your Brain Good Stuff

Replace mental junk food like doomscrolling, with something more nourishing. Read a good book, listen to uplifting music, or go outside and get some fresh air. Your brain will thank you. 

3. Schedule "Do-Nothing" Time

Yes, you heard me. Block out time in your busy schedule to do absolutely nothing and hit that comfy couch. My wife and I love doing this weekly. No emails, no chores, no thinking about that one awkward thing you did back in 2019. Just relax and unwind.

Step 5: Keep It Clean

Decluttering your mind isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily habit. Just like keeping your house tidy, your mind needs regular maintenance. Here’s how to keep it clutter-free:

Daily Mental Check-Ins – Take a few minutes each day to ask yourself, “What is taking up too much space in my brain right now?”

Regular Brain Dumps – Once a week, write down everything on your mind in that journal and sort through what’s actually important.

Declutter Your Environment – A messy space can lead to a messy mind. Keeping your space clean can help keep your thoughts clear, too.

Limit Mental Junk Food – Be mindful of what you consume—it can anything like social media, the news, or negative conversations.

Final Thoughts: A Lighter, Happier You

Decluttering your mind is like giving your brain a deep breath of fresh air. When you clear out all the useless mental clutter, you make room for creativity, joy, and peace. So, the next time your brain feels like an overstuffed closet, remember: you always have the power to clean it out.

And if all else fails? Just picture your mind as a messy room. Grab a mental trash bag, toss out the junk, and make space for the good stuff. Your brain deserves it!

Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment below so we can engage in positive conversation and if you have done so already Please Subscribe. If you love listening to podcasts then you can follow me by clicking here 👉Wise Mindset Guy Podcast