Clutter is the American way. Our computer and TV screens are cluttered. It accumulates on our desks. Sometimes even our staffs can feel cluttered with layers of complexity and bureaucracy. It’s the stuff that feels like mud to wade through — and it’s everywhere. Even in our heads. Considering almost three-quarters of us are stressed out about work and money, and since the holidays only exacerbate the issue, it’s probably safe to say a lot of us need a reprieve right about now.
Zenhabits put together a list of 15 ways to declutter your mind. Don’t get thrown off by the word zen; the site doesn’t recommend sitting in lotus position while chanting “I am one with my clutter.” But there are some useful suggestions that may make it easier to focus, like:
- Identify the essential. If you want to simplify or declutter, the first step is identifying what is most important. In this case, identify what is most important in your life, and what’s most important for you to focus on right now. Make a short list for each of these things.
- Eliminate. Now that you’ve identified the essential, you can identify what’s not essential. What things in your life are not truly necessary or important to you? What are you thinking about right now that’s not on your short list? By eliminating as many of these things as possible, you can get a bunch of junk off your mind.
- Go slower. Seems kinda weird, I know, but walking and talking and working and driving slower can make a very big difference. It’s kind of like you’re saying, “I’m not willing to rush through life, no matter what artificial time demands others are putting on me. I want to take it at my pace.” And as a result, your mind is less harried as well.
- Single-task. Multi-tasking, for the most part, is a good way to fill your mind with a lot of activity without a lot of productivity or happiness as a result. Instead, try to single-task — just focus on one task at a time. Clear away everything else, until you’re done with that task. Then focus on the next task, and so on.
Have a tip? Add it. Don’t worry; we like it when the comments get cluttered.
(I Love Clutter image courtesy of signdesign, cc 2.0)
