“Declutter your mind, your heart, your home. Let go of the heaviness that is weighing you down. Make your life simple, but significant.” – Maria Defillo

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For many people, including myself, spring cleaning is a yearly tradition for embracing the new season and giving our homes a fresh start.

But this spring, I’m not really thinking about organizing the kitchen cabinets or rearranging my closets. Instead, I’m more focused on clearing the clutter from my mind and maintaining my inner peace.

In the past, I associated clutter with only physical things. It took some time for me to realize that my mental space needed just as much attention as my physical environment.

The truth is that by default, our minds are wired to harbor negative thoughts and unwanted baggage. But there are practical things we can do to reduce the mental clutter and embrace inner peace.

If you feel like your mind often runs in disorder and chaos, then this post is for you. Here’s a list of 10 practical ways you can declutter your mind and regain peace.

Get rid of clutter and you may just find that it was blocking the door you’ve been looking for.

Katrina Mayer

1. Bring Mindfulness into Your Life

Mindfulness involves being present in each moment, and being aware of our thoughts and feelings—without judgment. No matter what’s going on around you, make a commitment to take a few moments each day to simply “be.” This dedication will not only allow you to get in tune with your thoughts, but it will empower you to better manage them as well.

2. Create a Thoughts Journal

Writing down your thoughts and emotions is a healthy way to declutter your mind. I find that having a cute notebook—one that you like the look and feel of—to be a great motivator.

Setting aside time each day to journal about your thoughts can teach you more about yourself. It can also help you identify negative triggers and learn better ways to cope with them.

3. Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool that can offer you peace during stressful times. It can also help keep you grounded, increase your hope, and improve your focus.

Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and communicate your concerns to The Creator. Even just a few minutes of prayer each day can help declutter your mind and promote relaxation.

4. Create a To-Do List

Oftentimes, we feel physically and mentally drained due to all the tasks and responsibilities that are lingering in our minds. Organizing your thoughts in a to-do list can help you take control of your time, as well as your mental space.

Creating a simple list of things you want to accomplish will allow you to prioritize your duties while freeing your mind of excess clutter.

5. Get Up and Get Active

Going for a walk, doing yoga, dancing, or any form of physical activity can help clear your mind and reduce your stress. If you’re not very active, I encourage you to start exploring new activities that you might enjoy. A little bit of moving your body each day can have a big impact on your mental… as well as your physical well-being!

6. Avoid Information Overload

In today’s digital world, we have unlimited access to tons of information. To reduce mental clutter and maintain your peace, consider unplugging from time to time.

Take a break from social media, turn off the news, and unsubscribe from unnecessary mailings and communication. Give your mind a chance to be at ease without always processing something new.

Engage in simple pleasures that don’t require your mental focus, such as getting a coffee or taking a walk. Whatever you choose to do, just remember that your brain needs downtime—and so do you!

7. Remember the Good

Notice the good things in your life. Take time each day to reflect on and appreciate what you’re grateful for. Gratitude can help shift your thoughts from negative to positive, allowing you to think clearer and alleviating your mind of stress.

Notice the good things in your life. Take time each day to reflect on and appreciate what you’re grateful for.

8. Find Your Community

Being part of a community of people who share the same values and interests as you can be beneficial to your mental health. There’s something about being connected with like-minds that adds a sense of comfort and acceptance to our lives.

Surrounding yourself with a group of positive people can give you a fresh perspective on life—improving the quality of your thoughts and enhancing your overall well-being.

9. Creative Expression

Sometimes, a little creativity is all we need to reduce mental clutter. Creative expression can promote self-reflection, bring awareness to our thoughts, and allow us to release trapped emotions.

For me, writing and cooking are forms of therapy that allow me to unwind and decompress. When I don’t prioritize these tasks, I tend to become easily agitated and stressed. According to research, creative hobbies can offer a healthy emotional release and lead to a greater sense of inner peace.

10. Organize Your Physical Space

As I previously mentioned, clutter isn’t just physical stuff. However, having a relaxed physical space can definitely give you a relaxed mind. Being in an organized environment can help calm your thoughts, uplift your mood, and so much more.

The truth is—when the world around you is disorderly—your inner world will likely be disorderly as well. Decluttering your physical space can help you maintain a peaceful state of mind.

Spring is the perfect time of year to not only declutter your home, but also your mind and other areas of your life. How will you be decluttering this spring? Share your thoughts in the comments!