Declutter It!

Ways to Remove the Mental Clutter from Your Head

by Jennifer on June 30th, 2008

This month I posted on mental clutter a bit, but wanted to go into it a little more. So far you can read:

• Get Rid of Mental Clutter
• Start Moving Out Mental & Physical Clutter

If you’re blocked by mental clutter, if it’s a reason why your day to day life and spaces feel cramped and messy, then start moving the clutter out of your head. Yeah, if you’re dwelling hardcore, then seek some professional help, but often some simple moves are enough to clear out basic mental clutter and allow you to focus on what’s important in life; including the physical clutter.

Ways to move the clutter out of your head:

Start blogging: Of course I’d say this, but it’s a good way to get clutter out of your brain. I have a personal blog where I’ve vented about lame co-workers, stupid parents I’ve met at playgroups, and my major pain in the %$# ex mother-in-law. While venting on my blog doesn’t always solve my issue, it removes it from my brain, and I can quit dwelling. You could technically keep a paper journal; it’s much the same. However, blogs have perks that paper journals don’t…

• No paper clutter. I used to keep paper journals and believe me, after 15 years they became the clutter. Online = no paper mess.
• Often readers will offer suggestions to a problem or simply say, “Hey I’ve been there too.” Paper journals don’t offer this.
• There’s just something releasing about telling strangers about some issues. For me, with stuff like the ex MIL issue, it makes me feel a little mean, but kind of happy to vent about her in public.
• If you want to vent about really serious stuff, and get advice, you can keep a secret blog. I have my general blog where I vent, but there’s some stuff you shouldn’t be telling everyone (at least not with your name attached to it) so I keep one secret blog. It’s public, but no one knows it’s me. If you have issues to deal with, but don’t want your current friends, co-workers, or an ex to know, keep a blog without your name on it.

Learn how to start a blog.
Burn your mental clutter:

I have friends who have done the whole, make a list of issues and then burn it project. Some of them swear by it, for problems large and small. I’ve never tried it, but it could work for you. Just use fire safety precautions please. No bonfires on the living room floor, kay.

Head to a forum or group:  

There are tons of forums for everyone. If you have an issue, it’s likely that someone else does too, and is on a forum chatting about it. I don’t tend to write about my own issues on forums (remember, I like blogs), but during my custody problems related to my ex and my son, I’d go read about other people’s issues at custody forums. It made me feel better to know others are dealing with the same things. You can also find real life offline groups to join. Ask your local health care center or provider for info, or type a search into the web that includes your area, “group,” and group topic.

Make a problem solving list:  

If your mental clutter has a lot to do with say, budgeting, make a list of how this can stop being a problem. Start being proactive instead of dwelling. Make a list with goal items such as:

• Start keeping track of incoming and outgoing cash.
• Get a part time job to pay off extra bill.
• Make a bill paying schedule.

Each of the above goals can be broken down further, into easy steps. Once you have a solid plan, it becomes easier to quit worrying about the situation.

How do you remove mental clutter?

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