De-Clutter Your Mind
September 4, 2009 by Marci
The more I think about it, the more I believe that most of the stress and busyness in women’s lives comes from clutter. I’m not just talking about the extra junk lying around the house (although that can be a huge source of stress). Mental clutter can be worse. Mental clutter is those negative thoughts and feelings that we allow to influence us. It can be worry, doubt, insecurity. Mental clutter can be the notion that we are not good enough or not sexy enough or not smart enough. It can be those unrealistic expectations that we put on ourselves.
We might have this idea of the perfect wife or mother that is so out there June Cleaver woundn’t have a shot. There are those of us who think we must have the spotless, uncluttered home right out of a magazine with perfectly mannered children who are always clean and dressed nicely in matching gymboree outfits while they attend every lesson and class imaginable so we don’t miss out developing their God-given gifts. And, we must cook gourmet, organic meals for our families all while not messing up the hair or the manicure. That just stresses me out thinking about it! Just think about the stressfulness of living it! And it is all unnecessary!
My point is that listening to the lies we tell ourselves just isn’t worth the stress. The truth is that we are all good enough. We are all capable of great things. Our children love us even if we are not perfect. We don’t have to keep up with the Joneses or compare ourselves to the Smiths. They don’t pay your bills, kiss your kids’ boo boos, have heart-to-hearts with your spouse late at night so the kids don’t hear. God gave you life to live abundantly. How can you do that with a huge load of clutter getting in your way?
Put all those negative thoughts out of your head by replacing them with new positive ones. Begin by being thankful for what you do have. Learn from your past mistakes instead of mulling them over and over in your mind. Acknowledge them, learn from them and move on. Some of us have years of mental clutter stored up and it won’t get cleared up overnight, but just like de-cluttering your house, start small and keep at it. Soon, your mental clutter will be out of your way and you can truly start living!
Comments (7)
LOL You have no idea how perfectly timed this is my friend! Godly timing, thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I have a similar thought except whenever I start having nagging thoughts, I try to pinpoint what I need to do to make them go away. Sometimes it’s learning or improving on a skill or reading more about an unfamiliar subject. Usually a little bit of knowledge is enough to clear my mind.
I do agree that mind clutter is often neglected. Good post!
Beautiful post, Marci!! So, so true!!!
Just found this perfect post on your wonderful site and bookmarked & linked a friend to you before I was even done reading. Thank you! This captures so much of what I’ve been feeling lately. I shall return often!
God bless,
Leslie
Beautiful post to read this morning! Thank you for the wise words. Mental clutter keeps me from sleeping well sometimes and that is bothersome. I appreciate your post.
I had never thought of the negative thoughts as mental clutter, but it’s so true! It really does sap energy and weigh you down. Thanks for another wonderful post.
I just found your blog and have been loving your writing. Thanks a lot. This is a great post. I just posted it on Facebook. You have helped me a lot the last couple of days. Thanks.