Life Lesson #008: Declutter Your Brain
When I was six years old, I noticed a simple rule: decluttering my room was like decluttering my brain. It simply calmed me down.
No one taught me this, and as far as I remember, no one expected it. It was a simple observation that anyone could make on their own. The act of organizing gave me a little control over my space, and with that came a sense of peace.
The Magic of Making Your Bed
You don’t need a famous psychologist to tell you that making your bed can make you less anxious. By making your bed, you end one phase and leave the space ready for the next. It’s comfy, clean, fresh, and waiting for you.
A simple 2-5 minutes of work, and you’ve already made progress. You’ve tackled the messiest space in your bedroom, and you’re already on a roll.
Congratulations! What’s next?
Look around your room. Is there a desk, a chair, or a closet? Start with one obvious thing at a time. Pick up something that doesn’t belong in this place and put it where it belongs.
The Three Magic Questions
What should you do with things you haven’t used in a while? It’s simple. Take each item in your hand and ask these three questions:
- Have you used it in the past 6 months?
- Will you use it in the next 6 months?
- Does it bring you joy?
If you answered “No” to two or more of these questions, you likely don’t need it anymore. Put it in a box with a label that says, “Not needed anymore.”
To make this process easier, start with just one category at a time. Focus on clothes, then books, then toys, or just one small space. This helps your brain filter and detect only one type of item, making the work feel less overwhelming.
The Boxes and Sentimental Items
Now, what do you do with all the stuff in your boxes?
- If an item is broken, recycle it.
- If it still works (or can be easily repaired), ask others in your household if they need it.
- If not, prepare to sell it or give it away for free.
A word of advice: Leave your photos and other sentimental things for the end of the process. If you start with this category, you’ll likely get stuck. Begin with simple, large, and obvious items so you can see your progress and build momentum.
Your goal is to remove half of your clutter. Make space for the upcoming year, for new projects, and for the next chapter of your life. Make room for your thoughts in your brain.
Digital Decluttering
Digital clutter is even harder because we often don’t see the mess, and we don’t know where the end is. So, I have one simple suggestion to start:
For every one new subscription, unsubscribe from two.
This process is not a one-and-done event. It should be repeated every 3-6 months. The first time, your goal is to remove 50% of the clutter. Each time after that, the process will become easier, and you’ll find you have less to clear out. You’ll get used to it, I promise.
Just start. Try one category. It will make you feel better.
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