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What’s on your mind? Really, I want to know. If you were to take inventory of your thoughts right now, which ones would rise to the top? When you find yourself focused on your worries and concerns, you leave little room for joy and peace to reside.

As someone who knows what it’s like to live with multiple tabs open in my mind, I understand the importance of getting rid of mental clutter. And sure, letting go of heavy thoughts is easier said than done. The thing is, it’s not always clear just how chaotic your mental space is until things begin to fall apart. But I don’t want you to wait until things get bad to make a change.

In this episode of the podcast, I share the warning signs of mental clutter and how to shift from anxiety to peace.

 

What is mental clutter?

Even though you can’t see it, mental clutter is the internal pileup of your thoughts, including emotions, worries, fears, and regrets. Over time, the weight of mental clutter becomes a burden on you and those you love.

How to Recognize Mental Clutter

The thing about mental clutter is that eventually, you will see the effects of inner discord in your outer world. And if you’re too distracted to notice, those closest to you will feel the effects of your overwhelm and stress. 

Here are a few common signs of mental clutter:

  • You constantly feel overwhelmed and stressed
  • You have difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • You’re overreacting to everyday situations
  • You have trouble focusing on the task at hand

Imagine living your life in fight or flight mode all the time. Never on the offense, always on the defense. How would you ever experience peace? When would you have access to the abundant life God has in store for you? Sure, you may feel some sense of satisfaction when you can cross something off your list, but when you’re dealing with anxious thoughts, does it truly matter?

What could be worse than mental clutter? Let me tell you. Clutter in your mind that makes its way to your body. When the mental clutter manifests itself as physical discomfort or illness, that’s not fun. You don’t want a weakened emotional system to lead to physical symptoms like migraines, fatigue, and even back pain.

How to Deal with Mental Clutter

If any of the signs mentioned of mental clutter resonate with you, I want you to know that you don’t have to live in a constant state of dysfunction. With a little time and a little effort, you will begin to think more clearly and be more present in your life.

  1. Make space for the peace of God to take over your heart and mind. Get rid of all of the thoughts that are no longer serving you. Don’t be afraid to say no to obligations that are taking your focus away from what matters. Log out of social media if you have to. Leave room for good thoughts and cast your cares on the Father..
  2. Get your thoughts out and write down everything that is weighing on you. And of course, reach out to a therapist or counselor if you need additional support. A clear mind allows for an awareness of your thoughts. 
  3. Filter every thought up to God’s Word and ask yourself, “Is this moving me forward or setting me back?” Whether it’s a tightly-held belief of yourself, a negative narrative about your life, or a broken relationship, give it all to God. Relinquish the need to control the outcome. Just ask God to walk you through each thought and acknowledge the ones that signal peace and the ones that signal chaos. 

Mental clutter can make you feel like you’re chained to every worry that crosses your mind. But my friend, rest is waiting for you. All you have to do is to do what you can and then intentionally and regularly hand the rest over to God. 

Here’s to moving forward with a clean heart and a clear mind.

 

Highlights from Today’s Episode

  • Resting mind, body, and spirit
  • Aligning thoughts with God’s truth
  • Prioritizing peace amid problems

Related Resources

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Other Stuff to Check Out

Let’s Talk!

  1. What thoughts are weighing you down in this current season? Make a list of the worries and concerns on your mind.
  2. How does mental clutter show up in your life? Physical symptoms? Emotional symptoms?
  3. In what ways can you create margin for peaceful thoughts to replace anxious thoughts in your mind?

 

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