When you think of the word decluttering, what comes to mind?
Papers? Knick-knacks? Clothes?
I want to talk about a different kind of clutter today: the kind of clutter that junks up your mind.
Buddhists often refer to an overly-busy mind as the Monkey Mind.
I think it’s an apt description for what happens when our thoughts run amok, swinging wildly from here to there, with the occasional temper tantrum, pout, and bout of throwing poo (mental poo, that is).
So, what’s the deal with decluttering? And how does it work for our mind?
I was talking to a friend recently and he said he often gets worked up over stuff, sometimes for no good (or logical) reason. It starts with his chest feeling tense; next, his thoughts begin to sizzle, and start zinging around like explosive kernels in a raging hot popcorn machine. He gets so agitated that he simply can’t focus on any one thing.
Why does it happen? Who knows? It could be a number of things (or none of them at all):
- An unconscious form of procrastination (there’s something he needs to do but doesn’t want to)
- Inability to feel his feelings (he’s feel uncomfortable, frustrated, angry)
- Overwhelm (he has tons to do and simply doesn’t know where – or even how – to start)
- Habit (he’s acted this way his whole life as a coping mechanism)
The thing is, though, he recognizes that mental clutter leads him down this rabbit hole of stress and torment and away from focus, calm, and productivity.
He’s tried a number of things to deal with mental chatter, including exercise, distraction, and even some self-medicating using alcohol or other natural substances (which are illegal in some states).
He found though, that one thing works reliably well: meditation.
Mediation has become his go-to method to declutter his mind.
“Works like a charm, every time. After 20 – 25 minutes of Zen Meditation, I am laser-focused and calm,” he says with a smile. “Plus, it’s free.”
I invite you to consider how you can make a practice of regularly decluttering your mind.
Deep breathing, yoga, long walks, running, swimming, or even meditation are magnificent ways to declutter your noggin’.
Isn’t it time for you to kick that poo-throwing monkey to the curb and declutter your own mind?
Make Some Room,
Angie
P.S. Sometimes organizing is an inside job FIRST! Not sure how to do this? I can help
P.P.S. I’m creating something for you to start 2105 right – by focusing on the INSIDE work. Stay tuned for details!