Often when people talk about simplifying their lives, it usually includes; decluttering closets, making less commitments, freeing up time, buying less, and minimalist decorating. But what about decluttering your mind?
I admit it, I am a project hound. I’m inspired frequently and easily. As a result, I have close to fifty unfinished projects around my house. I recently realized that these projects are not only cluttering my home but they are cluttering my mind.
How to simplify your life by decluttering your mind! #simplify Click To TweetHere’s what I did to clear the nagging mind clutter….
1- I made a list of all the unfinished projects and tasks around my home. That way, it’s out of my head and on paper.
2- I decided which tasks were important to me and which could be dropped. I made a commitment to drop at least 1/3 of the tasks. Just this act alone is liberating!
3- I immediately rid my home of any of the items related to the eliminated tasks so that I could not change my mind. Out of sight… out of mind.
4- I pledged to work on a task or project every day. I also committed to eliminating at least one item off of my list every week. It’s amazing how just committing the time to tackle projects is over half the battle. Once I committed to doing a project, I would usually see it through within the same day!
5- I made a commitment to not add any new projects to the list until the list is at least 3/4 completed. Tough to do… I know, but I need to see that list getting smaller. It’s motivating in itself!
It’s been almost two weeks since I embraced this technique of simplifying. So far I have; ordered all of our honeymoon photos (it’s been almost five years and I still haven’t gotten them developed), finished assembling and ordered my wedding photo albums, finished my daughter’s 2009-2010 Christmas photo book, designed and ordered my Christmas cards, updated my girls’ digital journals and cleaned two cupboards.
I can’t believe the difference this has made to my mind! These tasks were mentally overwhelming me! Every time I would open that cluttered cupboard I would think; I really should clean this out sometime soon. I would see the empty photo albums and think; One day I’ll have our honeymoon photos in those albums. All these thoughts were weighing me down and cluttering my mind.
I feel freer. Happier. Liberated.
Do you have mind clutter? Are there any projects weighing you down?
Ack, my mind is full of mind clutter so I’ve been embracing the list-making lately. Perhaps what I need to do is also embrace the letting go…
okay i think i need to make myself a list!