Clear the Clutter: Making Room for a Calm Mind
I love analogies - and I also love a clean home. When my space is tidy, organized, and has a sense of calm, I instantly feel lighter and more focused - it clears my mind and helps me get things done.
Now, imagine walking into a cluttered, noisy room - papers everywhere, dishes piled up, stuff covering every surface. For me, it’s impossible to relax or think clearly in that kind of chaos. My mind instantly feels scattered, jumping from one thing to another without finding peace.
And it’s not just me. According to research, visual clutter can overload the brain’s ability to process information, making it harder to focus. People in cluttered environments are also more likely to feel stressed and distracted, struggling to concentrate and find a sense of calm.
Our Minds Are Like Homes
It got me thinking: our minds are like homes where our thoughts and emotions live.
When it’s cluttered, you’re overwhelmed, pulled in every direction, and unable to find clarity or peace.
So just as we regularly clean our physical spaces, our minds also need consistent attention, routines, and care - each with its own unique “cleaning” needs.
And finding the right “cleaning” routine for your mind is key to lasting clarity, focus, and peace.
The Importance of Self-Discovery
A big part of mental decluttering is understanding what fills up your mind and knowing the main sources of your mental clutter.
For many, it’s overthinking - getting stuck in loops, replaying past conversations, or worrying about the future.
For others, it’s the noise from consuming too much unnecessary or negative content, like endless social media scrolling or unsettling news.
Some feel weighed down by unfinished tasks, a never-ending to-do list, or unprocessed emotions that linger in the background.
For some, perfectionism is the source of mental clutter - feeling the need to do everything perfectly can weigh heavily on the mind. It’s a reminder that progress matters more than perfection (a lesson I’ve had to learn myself).
Recognizing what fills your mind with “junk” helps you set boundaries and build habits that clear the way for greater peace and focus.
How I Started Clearing My Own Mental Space
My self-discovery began by noticing when my mind felt cluttered, distracted, or overloaded. I started recognizing the chaos in my thoughts and created small routines to keep things in check.
Just like my home, I now don’t let things pile up too much, and I’ve developed habits to keep my mental space as clear as possible.
It took time to figure out what works for me (and I’m still learning), but I now have a few habits and boundaries that help me stay mentally organized. Here are some of the routines I follow:
Mindful Media Choices: I avoid scary movies, negative news, or intense content, especially before bed. Instead, I choose books and content that inspire me, fill me with positive energy, and leave me feeling uplifted.
Limited Social Media: I stay mindful with activities that can easily consume my time. If I notice myself becoming less present, I might set a timer before opening Instagram or other apps to avoid the endless scroll.
Positive Surroundings: I make it a point to spend time with uplifting people. Being around those who inspire me helps me stay grounded.
Breathing and Meditation: When I feel the first signs of stress, I turn to breathing exercises or a short meditation. These practices don’t happen daily but are there when I need them.
Managing Overthinking: When I catch myself overthinking, I use the “5-5 Rule”: I ask, Will this matter in five years? If not, I don’t let myself spend more than five minutes worrying about it. This helps me keep my mind clear and focused.
Joyful Activities: I prioritize activities that fill me with positive energy, like quality time with my family, doing activities with my daughter, singing, writing, and organizing my space. These routines make me feel happy and energized.
Where to Start
The routines above work for me, and I’ve come to understand what I need on a given day. If you’re not sure where to start, you could begin with a few simple steps to help clear your mind:
Start with a Brain Dump Grab a notebook and write down everything on your mind - tasks, worries, reminders, thoughts - in no particular order. Just getting it out can provide instant relief and a fresh perspective.
Prioritize What Matters After writing everything down, look at the list and choose one task that’s truly important. Focus on that first, then add up to two more key tasks. Limiting your focus to 1-3 priorities each day cuts through the noise and makes things feel more manageable.
Set Boundaries Identify what most drains your energy and clutters your mind - it’s different for everyone. From there, set boundaries like those I described above. Knowing what impacts you the most (which takes some real self-reflection!) helps you create the right rules for yourself.
Observe Patterns Over Time Self-discovery doesn’t happen in one day. Regularly check in with yourself over a period of time to see which sources consistently create the most mental clutter. This awareness helps you understand your specific triggers and enables you to set boundaries tailored to your needs.
The Takeaway
When life feels mentally cluttered, take a moment to pause and ask yourself, “What’s taking up space in my mind right now”? Then, focus on just that one thing.
Over time, you’ll build your own set of go-to tools - whether it’s a quick “dusting off” or a deeper “clean-up” - to quickly bring yourself back to a calm, clear state.
Hi, I am Marina Korotkikh - your go-to Energy and Time Management Coach for High Performers. I help you go from Point A (Always too busy, never enough time) to Point B (Clear, Energized, and In Control) in 70 days using my P.E.A.C.E. framework.
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