Here's How to Clear the Mental Clutter
Tossing out old ideas that keep you stuck is a lot more fun than cleaning the closets.
I found a dried cranberry in the silverware drawer—and it reminded me it was time for some spring cleaning. But not the cupboard-cleaning kind, not yet.
No, the clutter I need to get rid of, the mess I need to clean is all in my mind.
Years ago I did a nutritional cleanse, eliminating processed foods, caffeine and other foods to clear out the toxins from my body. And, I usually take time each year to sort through the old clothes, organize the cupboards, let go of the things I no longer need.
But, how often do we clear out the clutter in our minds too, and free ourselves from the negative thoughts that keep stuck? Spring is a good time for this kind of refresh.
Here’s how I do it.
1.Evaluate how you feel. What’s working, what feels sad or frustrating or frightening?
2. Feel good and grateful. Give thanks for those good things. Fill up on appreciation.
3. Take a look at the frustrations, fears, or more negative feelings you are having. What’s behind them?
A couple of weeks ago I was snapping at my family, feeling, frustrated and impatient. What was behind that? Took me awhile to recognize that I was afraid that I wasn’t recovering from hip surgery.
Our thoughts and beliefs drive our emotions and behaviors. The wrong ones can limit us. Keep us stuck.  When I recognized fear was behind my bad behavior and feelings, I scrutinized that thought. The reality is, each day I’m a little bit better. So, clearly, the belief that I wasn’t improving wasn’t even true.
Often, when we challenge our thoughts, we discover our minds are filled with, well, a load of crap. Sort that out. Discover what thought is fueling your negative feelings.
5. Reframe any thoughts that aren’t helping you. Clear out the mental clutter. Get rid of unhelpful thoughts and replace them with an alternative view.
This isn’t about glossing over the difficulty. It’s about noticing that other options and possibilities that also exist. A frustrating day at work, for example, is also a source of motivation to exercise, connect with friends, or prepare to launch your dream job.
It’s well-researched and documented that our thoughts contribute to tangible experiences. If you believe you can get better at the job, lose the weight, improve the relationship, you are more likely to do the things that support those outcomes.
This spring, I’m cleaning out the thoughts that make me feel bad, those that stress me out or limit me, and I’m choosing a new set that will help me grow, and lift me up.
And you know, it feels more hopeful and interesting than cleaning out the closets.
Happy Spring.
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The fear of missing out is another way the thoughts we hold increase our stress and anxiety. We talk about how to counteract those difficult feelings in this episode.
