How To Calm A Cluttered Mind

Having a cluttered mind means having too many thoughts which make it difficult to focus, reach creative potential or even just relax. Mental clutter can present itself in the form of anxious thoughts, overthinking, numerous or intense emotions, and the like.

What might be draining one’s mental energy could be different than what drains another person’s. Yet, clutter is clutter regardless, and it can really become a serious nuisance. Having a cluttered mind is like having a cluttered room where even just walking around can be a challenge. Similarly, with a cluttered mind, even basic thinking can be a struggle.

Mental clutter can stem from just about anything. If something causes you to think too much or causes you many emotions it can be considered clutter. It is important to look for emotionally intelligent and acceptable ways to address any troubles you might have in life. But it is equally important to be able to find mental clarity with or without troubles present because people can only control external variables so much.

It is possible to declutter the mind. Think of it like a cluttered desk. Clutter can be cleared off of a desk and it becomes easier to work on it.

How to declutter your mind

Here are some strategies to clean a cluttered mind.

1. Avoid multitasking

Multitasking brings in a bunch of information to the brain and it forces the division of attention amongst tasks. More than one stimulant at the same time can consume a lot of brain power and make you feel like your mind is cluttered. Not only that, but many times when people try to focus on two or more tasks simultaneously they often just end up compromising the quality of their work on all of them.

The best advice I have here is simply avoid multitasking. Focus on one thing at once and you might even find that you get it done more quickly and efficiently.

2. Do something you enjoy

It’s often harder to feel that the mind is cluttered when having fun. This is because things you enjoy seldom overwhelm your mental energy (although they can so be watchful for this). Even if it offers only temporary relief from the feeling of a cluttered mind, it’s still worth it. Many breaks from feeling like your mind is cluttered can accumulate and ultimately make you feel better in general even when things are hectic.

3. Journal

I recommend a pen and paper rather than technology for this. Sit down and write out everything you feel, why you feel it, where you feel it and whatever else comes to mind. Just let everything out on a piece of paper. Journaling can make you feel more relieved when feeling emotionally strained.

Just get as much out on paper as you can. Feel the emotions leaving your mind and being thrown out, relieving yourself of them.

4. Take a break/relax yourself (from technology, from work, from whatever else)

Take a moment to rest your brain by getting away from chaos. Take a break from technology, work, studying or whatever else. Distance yourself and just allow for some time to do nothing.

Of course, you may need to do this when time allows (i.e. when off work or if you don’t have any immediate responsibilities). If you’re a parent, you may need to find time when your kid or kids aren’t in need of you. Regardless, finding time off shouldn’t be too hard. Maybe when kids are in school or when you can take a vacation from work. But no matter what, make sure you take some time to do nothing and you do this frequently.

5. Create lists and schedule your time

Lists are a useful way to remember items you need or tasks you need to do. Whether it’s a grocery list, a list of responsibilities, a general shopping list or any other type; you can use lists to better organize your life. This increased organization can help decrease clutter in your mind. You won’t have to walk around burdened with remembering what you need or getting frustrated if you forget.

Once you have a list, use a schedule to organize times and dates for your listed items. A messy and disorganized schedule can contribute to a cluttered mind. But you can bring order to your time by scheduling your days, weeks and even months. By doing this, you decrease the risk that you’ll feel overwhelmed or mentally cluttered.

6. Keep your space decluttered

Your environment can affect your state of mind. If you live, work or just enjoy daily life in a cluttered space, you might feel your mind gets cluttered as well. Having a messy environment where there’s lots to see or hear can start to become a sensory burden.

Take some time to clean up your living space and make it as organized as you want your mind to be. Imagine yourself cleaning your mind when you clean the space around you. A decluttered and organized space often helps people feel more decluttered themselves.