My post for Friday, August 11, 2006 was Clutter Around You Creates Clutter In Your Brain.  You can go back and read it by clicking on the link, but the general idea of the article was that keeping your surroundings neat and orderly, organized if you will, helps to keep your brain the same way.  However, the question has come up, why is clutter in my brain such a big deal?  I mean, there are all kinds of thoughts going around up there all the time anyway, what difference does it make what those thoughts are?

Okay, here’s the deal.  When you have thoughts flying around in your head, that is a good thing, as long as the thoughts are creative in nature and not worrisome.  Let me give you an example.

On a good day, when I sit down to write, I want to have lots of ideas and thoughts and ramblings.  If I can get six good articles started on Monday morning, I know I’ll have my articles taken care of for the week because my mind is constantly working on them whether I am sitting in front of the computer or not.  I’ll think of something to add while I’m in the shower, cooking dinner, gardening, or whatever.

But, if, when I sit down to write, I have all these thoughts of things I’m supposed to do, like call my mother, go to the cleaners, clean off my desk, do laundry, etc., I can’t possibly concentrate on my writing.  The ideas may still come, but not as easily, not as quickly, and not without guilt.

So I need to take my instructions on de-cluttering a little further.  Clearing out clutter may mean more than just straightening up around the house or your work area.  It might mean clearing something up with your boss, a co-worker, friend, or family member.  Anything that weighs on your mind is mental clutter.  And it’s important to keep that cleared out too.

I know that sometimes it is difficult to clear up emotional clutter since it is, well, emotional.  So here’s what you do.  Take out some paper and a pen, or get in front of your computer screen with Word, and write out your frustrations.  Write a letter to that person you’d really like to tell off, knowing you’re not going to send it.  (Or, maybe send it, depending upon the situation.)  Writing things down gets them off your mind.  If you’re worried about something, write it down.  All of sudden, your brain will shift from worrisome thinking to problem-solving thinking.

This process might seem simple, but it is very effective.  Trust me.

I’ve also talked about lists before, remember Ode to My Lists?  But here is another way that writing things down can help you.

If you’re the type of person, like me, who has trouble sleeping at night, one way to help your mind relax is to write out everything that is keeping you awake.  Sometimes it’s all of the things you have to do tomorrow or next week – write them down – wouldn’t it be nice to have them written down somewhere anyway?  If you have specific worries about something you have to do tomorrow or next week, write out what you are worried about.  What’s the worst possible scenario?  What steps have you taken, or can you take to avoid that scenario?  You will be amazed at how much this helps.  Even if there is nothing you can do about a situation, just writing out that simple fact helps put your mind at rest about it.  For some reason, when you write it out, your mind has to accept it.

Some psychologists theorize that the reason writing works so well at clearing the mind is because writing involves both sides of the brain – you know, left and right.  The right creative side is what is coming up with all of these spontaneous thoughts in the first place, and the left analytical side loves the physical act of writing them down.  When you’re mind is happy, you’re happy.  It’s kind of funny how that works, huh?

An interesting phenomenon that you may find happening once you develop the habit of writing things down and making lists is that you might start doing things more rapidly or doing them so that you don’t have to right them down!  I’ve caught myself doing this several times.  I’ll get ready to write my list for tomorrow then think, you know, I could almost have this done in the time it takes me to write it down.  Or I’ll think, if I don’t do this now, I’ll have to right it down or it will bug me all day or night, whatever the case may be.

The only other way I know of to keep your mind clear and not have to write is to become a “Do It Now” person.  Doing things immediately when they come to your mind or when they need to be done will definitely keep your mind clear.  The only problem with that is, sometimes you have to set aside time to do the most important things first and need several hours of focused concentration.  What has helped me in these situations is to keep a list pad next to me while I’m working on a big project.  Then, when one of those stray thoughts comes into my mind, I write it down.  It’s amazing that the thought really does go away and leave me alone.  But if I don’t take care of those things in the time my mind thinks I should, I won’t sleep or feel good about myself until they are taken care of.

One more thought on keeping your mind clutter-free – stop watching so much television.  If you’re one of those people who thinks you have to have the TV on in order to work, stop it.  Television adds to your mental clutter by producing thoughts for you.  Come on, you know it’s distracting you – that’s it’s purpose.  I only watch television when I want/need my brain to turn off.  My husband and I enjoy watching a show about every night together before we go to bed.    We are both highly productive people who read a lot and work even more, so we use it as entertainment and to wind down from the day.  Watching a good show, nothing trashy, something that you can really get into, relieves stress and anxiety by controlling your thoughts – getting them onto something else, something creative.  But rest assured, if there is still something bothering you, your brain will pick back up on it.  Television only works if you need something to turn off the workaholic portion of yourself.

If you work in an open environment where you can hear other conversations going on all day long, you may need to purchase some headphones and listen to music – preferably music with no words – like classical.  Words will create that clutter again.  But music with words you already know and listen to on a regular basis are better than having to listen to other people argue and talk on the phone all day.  So find what works for you and do that.  Classical music works for me and has been shown to increase creativity in children.  If you decide to buy something, just make sure it is upbeat classical music and not the relaxing kind.  It’s not usually good to fall asleep at work.  Employers typically frown on that and if it happens, please don’t tell them you got the idea from me!

Thanks for reading my blog.  I’d love to hear from you.  What ways have you found to clear your mind?

Posted under Education, Inspiration