Recently people have shared ways in which clearing their physical clutter helped them to create space for increased motivation and inspired creativity. In this blog we shall explore how sorting through and letting go of mental and emotional clutter assists us to become more centred and focused on things that really matter in our lives.
Our mind — if not guided and gifted with time out to relax — will continue to work energetically, offering us endless concerns, complex issues and infinite scenarios to worry about. Worry is the driver in many people’s lives. Its presence eventually invites anxiety, fear and depression to move in and take up residence in their persona.

We spend many valuable hours worrying about things over which we have little control. This practice uses heaps of energy and often results in more chaos. Millions of thoughts, both positive and negative, come and go on a daily basis; much of this thinking is unproductive. Learn to filter through your mind-clutter and check in with yourself on what thoughts are helpful and what thoughts are harmful.

Buddhists teachings reveal that sending energy to something will help it to grow. Hence the more we worry, the more we become tired and feel scattered. Clearing our mind by focusing on issues that can be managed or changed is a way to embrace a well-earned mental rest. Putting this one thing enhances your resilience while channelling energetic support and emotional strength towards a happier, healthier state of mind.

Emotional clutter may consist of relationships that have ended on a physical level, however still linger around in our consciousness. Memories of people we knew, people who have now left our lives yet remain linked, can make it difficult for us to move forward without feelings of guilt or remorse. People struggling with disappointment and heartbreak freely share how challenging it is to move on and let go. Many deceive themselves into believing that their partner might observe their anguish and suffering; they want things to change by reinstating the status quo.

Emotional clutter can make it extremely difficult to speak the truth, to clear a pathway and say the things that need to be said. Emotional messages loaded with the implication that we are not really OK keep people off balance and feeling unsure about themselves. Weed out any emotional manipulation, send any destructive emotions to the trash bin and clear the air for positive, respectful and harmonious communication to move back in.

The consequence of emotional clutter can result in a lifetime of internal pain and intense unhappiness. Shut out the negative comments, refuse to feed or participate in idle gossip and ignore casual criticisms presented throughout the day. This focus will help to construct a happier, healthier sense of self.

Tips to try

Learn to trust yourself — remind yourself that you have faced tough things before and survived. Trust that you have the skills to do this and appreciate if you need help you also know where to find it.

Catch yourself beginning to worry, look at your watch and give the worrying thought 3-5 minutes. Then change focus; physically move and redirect your thoughts to another place. The discipline of this action will slowly break the chain of habit and provide you with some space for relinquishing worry.

Make a list of people whose contribution is significant to your life and systematically go about thanking them. There is much happiness to be gained from gratitude; sharing your thoughts can bring real pleasure into another person’s life. Busy lives permit us to take much for granted. We may neglect to appreciate the people who support our life, the very ones who make us richer through positive learning while feeling safe in the territory of attentive and genuine love.

Let go of resentment. If you believe someone has mistreated you, look for the lesson behind the pain. Take time to rejoice in this message and newfound skills. Holding onto resentment can make us unwell. In terms of mental health you will feel emotionally robust, this is much better than holding onto your longstanding emotional pain.

Make room for stillness and practice allowing some silence to become a part of your daily life. This means turning off the television, shutting down the radio or computer and learning to become comfortable with the peace and quiet of the day.

Give yourself permission to seek occasional support from a therapist. Professional life coaching and mentoring is a great way to uncover and appreciate your peaceful heart.