We all know what a cluttered home looks like: stuff lies scattered about and we stumble over the piles of laundry and stub our toes on Duplos.
I hate clutter.
Brain clutter is like house clutter. Brain clutter dampens our focus and distracts us. Brain clutter is all the unfinished matters we need to attend to that distract us while we’re working on a task.
Ever been washing the dishes and remembered, “Oh, I forgot to pay the water bill.” So, before you forget, you leave the dishes and go pay the water bill. While online, you remember an email you read this morning that just has to get answered….
Am I the only one?
Recently, I read Blogging with Amy’s post about how to keep your inbox clean. That post finally turned the brain clutter light-bulb on. I used to read an email, then think about it while I did laundry, then read it again (sometimes days or weeks later) before finally getting around to responding. My response was generally late and I wasted so much mental energy!
I teach my children, “play with your toys, then put them away before you get something else out.”
You and I may not play with toys like a toddler, but the same principle still applies. Finish the task at hand.
My brain is still cluttered at times, but it is getting tidier and I feel so much more productive! Would you like to join my journey to de-clutter the brain and keep it cleared?
Over the next couple of weeks I’m going to post 21 practical tips to help eliminate brain clutter. Not all tips will be practical for everyone, but I hope we all walk away encouraged!
- Start each day recognizing Whose you are. Jumping into the day feet first may seem more logical, but as Christians, we are not our own. Acknowledge God’s sovereignty over you and your plans. As Passionate Homemaking encourages, start your day by getting dressed in your spiritual clothes.
- Identify the tasks you tend to procrastinate on, then do them early in the day! For me that means get dressed before breakfast. Otherwise, the day picks up speed and before I know it, it’s ten and I’m still in my pajamas… which for some (rather logical) reason, makes my brain feel cluttered and behind. Get the tasks you dread out of the way first; it helps clear your mind for the rest of the day!
Oh, this is me!! I am terrible about being so productive that I get absolutely nothing completed! I have my kids to thank for keeping me on track a lot of days! I’m looking forward to your 21 tips…I need ‘em!
“so productive that I get absolutely nothing completed” I know the feeling way too well!
I was reading a post on Simple Mom once called “Eat the Frog” where she talks about tackling the things you can’t stand doing right away in the morning so you can move on to the things you enjoy later when you have less energy and motivation
You echoed that same thought so well, I look forward to your posts!
Thank you also for your concern for my kiddos. They are doing better thankfully and my baby is finally getting over a cold that’s been bothering him since last week. He’s teething now too, so that adds a whole new element! He just needs lots of snuggles and a patient mama
Teething? So not fun, for baby or mom.
I’ve heard of a book called “Eat That Frog”, I’ve never read it, but I guess if you had to eat a frog, eating it first thing would be wise!
Excellent post Anna. I know exactly how you feel and I can’t wait to read all your tips!
Thanks Heather!
I’ll be tuning in. My problem much of the time is that I have so many things I should do, and I can’t decide which I should do first, so I settle the whole thing by going off and reading a book.
I know, I know, it really doesn’t help. 
I’m trying to do better. I sometimes wish I could do everything all at once. Ever feel that way?
Mom suggested that I try typing one story with one hand while writing on another story with my other hand. Talk about a headache! I’m tempted to try it though. 
I know I wish I could write on all of my stories at once.
Supposedly, GA Henty dictated two stories simultaneously to different secretaries! You could try that!
I so know what you mean! I wish I could get everything done all at once. For some reason, I never get much done when I try!
Maybe I could dictate two stories while I write a third one?
Lol!