It can be overwhelming at time, being a person! There are so many thoughts, feelings, responsibilities and commitments to deal with. It is no surprise then that our mental health can suffer when this just gets too much. We are sharing our top 5 tips to organise your mind today.
When your mind gets cluttered with life stuff, it can be difficult to even think clearly. Having a set of coping strategies in place to pro-actively cope with mind clutter is a brilliant way to help clear and ease the mind. As with anything, these are just suggestions that may help you achieve just that.
Tip 1 – Talk it Through
Talking can be a powerful way to empty your mind of all the mental post it notes you have. If you are anything like me, it can sometimes be a tornado in there – school dates, work, bills to pay, appointments, seeing friends and so on.
Make time to sit down with a friend and talk about your day or week. Especially if you are stressed with the amount on your to do list, this can help you organise things and get a clearer plan. Make a drink, grab some biscuits and put the world to rights!
If managing right now is particularly tough though and you feel like there is too much going on a chat can do wonders. However, consider talking to a counsellor or your GP if you feel completely swamped and unable to cope. A little help can go a long way to a healthier state of mind.
Tip 2 – Make a List
Lists! I love them and it is one of the main ways that I use to help me keep my mind organised and feeling brighter. In fact I have been known, okay I am known, for making lists of my lists!
A list can initially provide you with an avenue to brain dump. This in itself can be such a freeing activity, removing those thoughts from your mind and physically being able to see them on the page. It can help you plan and organise, as well as prioritise tasks.
I like to have a note books for my lists, but I also have a notice board and of course the fridge. You could use post its, a dedicated To-Do List pad, note books, scraps of paper, whatever works best for you.
Tip 3- Keep a Diary
By keep a diary, I don’t mean…’Dear Diary, today I’, although I will come on to that shortly. No, I mean a diary of all your appointments, commitments, bills and when they need paying, dates with friends, school events etc.
In doing this you have a constant record that you can adjust and refer to, always knowing what you have coming up and what needs to be done. It helps you plan and keep that mental debris at a minimum.
I have a calendar that I use on my phone, this is because I tend to forget to use my physical one, even though it is so pretty and decorated with bumble bees! Also, I found lugging a great big diary around to be somewhat of a chore. The one in my phone is quick to use, has a day view on my home screen and is always with me, meaning I can check dates and update as and when.
To make it something you are able to do and stick to, find the right method for you. This could be a physical diary, a wall calendar, your phone, something stuck on the fridge or even just a notebook.
Tip 4 – Be Kind to Yourself
Our minds are incredible, they retain so much information and are constantly at work. They can at times be our worst enemies and it is important to remember that being kind to yourself is important.
Remember you are only human. You aren’t a superhero, you do not need to be Marry Poppins or Nanny McPhee. There is no need to be everything to everyone at all times. Stop and take time for you.
Ask yourself if you want that on your schedule, if it is necessary, if it will affect your mental health. Plan for you and your family, no one else.
Be flexible with your planning, keep in mind there will be times when you are unwell or too tired. Don’t be rigid, adjust for spontaneity and fun days out. Pencil in ‘me time’, make your lists and keep your diary, but once you do try to leave the pressure of that mental clutter and the demands of your mind, on those pages where they belong.
Tip 5 – Keep a Journal
The final tip is keeping a journal and yes, this is more like the ‘Dear Diary’ books we kept as children. However, this can be an extension of you, you can make it fun and bright, add stickers or drawings. The possibilities with a journal are endless including trackers, thoughts, gratitude, positive thoughts, moods and so much more.
You can purchase ready made journals to fill in, specialised notebooks to help creating your own easier or just use one that you have. We will be doing little series about creating a journal and the different pages that you can add, to give you a better idea, very soon! Keep an eye on our Lifestyle pages for more!
I hope these tips have helped. What do you do to help your mind when its too loud in there? Let us know on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Twitter.
