How to Clear Your Mental Junk-Drawer for a More Substantial Life

Seriously, you're probably lagging like an old Macintosh

So, if you're like me, then you probably zone out while staring at your laptop like an expired Furby.

Kah/boo/Koo-doh [I’m not healthy] (That's Furby talk, if you’re curious.)

Hell, I zoned out a few times while I was typing this article. So how do we clear our mental cache and refresh our brain browser so we can function at higher speeds?

There are quite a few ways, some, verified techniques. And other ways, not so much illustrated scientifically — more so, my countless hours underwater in the bathtub experimenting with methods of my own.

Let’s discuss proven methods first

I’m sure many of you have googled how to open your third eye, or what kind of fungus you can safely use for calming tea, without disappearing in the desert for weeks following your “spirit animal.” And while that is a form of meditation, I can’t in good conscious tell you to do drugs.

So, let’s get started.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the mental state of being aware of this present moment — when you are capable of understanding that you are in control of living in an instant, instead of fading into chaos.

‘Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be’ — Sonia Recotti

When you start to feel like your plate is too full, like grandma’s house on Thanksgiving, it can become overwhelming. Scrambling around trying to maintain multiple activities is a sure way to fry your brain.

Take a moment to re-center your thoughts. Seriously.

Grab a glass of water (or wine)head outside and sit. You could use a chair, or just plant your bum on mother nature’s plush carpet. Take your shoes off and place your bare feet on the ground. Then, begin to breathe, in and out — focus entirely on your breathing. Let your muscles relax. Once you start to feel at ease, close your eyes, and think:

“I am going to live in this moment, anything before, or after this moment does not matter.”

“I will not allow stress to control me.”

“I choose what happens in each moment of my life.”

Sounds quite weird, right? That’s because you may not be able to recognize what it’s like to exist in a single moment. We are repeatedly cramming our minds with more information than needed. Loosen up, even for just a few moments a day, focus on the now.

Journaling!

Pretend you’re back in middle school and want to jot down your emotions. Journaling is a brilliant way to keep track of your feelings, which can come in handy for future self-reflection.

Think of it this way, when you wake up, and your first thought is, “I have so much to do!” Open that journal and make a list of everything you need to. Don’t just write a to-do list; write your feelings as well.

Keeping a journal of what’s going on in your life is a good way to help you distill what’s important and what’s not — Martina Navratilova

When you make a habit of writing down what you think and feel — and what you want to accomplish, it’s no longer bouncing around in your mind. You can let it out on paper. Make some space up there.

Also, you can use your journal as a logbook. Eventually, you can find solutions to problems by having a record of your feelings, super cool, right?

Unplug from technology

Put the phone down! Close your laptop! (Finish reading my article first, thanks.)When is the last time you relaxed somewhere without Netflix? Or your phone?

We are always drawn to our devices like they are equivalent to oxygen. Not only is it a distraction from reality, but it’s also mentally draining, and most likely, the cause for unwanted stress.

We currently live in a culture that fosters attention-deficit disorder because of hyperconnectivity. Nikki Graves

Now, some experience-based methods

These methods I’m going to share, have personally worked for me over and over again for 20+ years. (Don’t worry; I’m not going to have you try some limited time only product, or tell you to eat tree bark.)

Baths!

I am so serious about this one; I take a bath every single morning. I pass the toddler off to her father, grab my coffee, and descent into a hot tub of heaven. I’ll even share how to prepare my magic elixir.

How to prepare the perfect, mind exfoliation bath:

• Fill the tub halfway with water and bubbles. (Or bath bombs, oils, etc.)
• Make sure you have your coffee, tea, or other beverage on the tub side.
• Turn off the lights. Use a few candles or a dim nightlight.
• Put on some binaural beats for relaxation.
• Get in the tub.
• Lay back, and close your eyes. Don’t think about anything.
• Relax for a minimum of 20 minutes — rinse.
• (Optional) I like to put my head underwater, aside from my mouth and nose. When your ears are submerged in water, you can’t hear anything but your breathing. (I don’t advise this if you fall asleep quickly.)

Baths are indeed an ideal way to relax your mind and body. I strongly advise dabbling in this exquisite liquid escape.

Painting

Art is widely known as a form of meditation, so I guess this could fall in the category of proven methods, but not my way of painting. Prepare to release your inner child.

“What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence.” Claude Monet

Ok, guys, get your paper, sidewalk, bedroom wall — whatever you feel like garnishing with color, get it ready. It’s about to get real.

When you think of painting, what comes to mind?

A beautiful splash of pastel? Maybe, a flawless portrait of the Mona Lisa? Well, that’s not what I’m thinking.

I’m thinking of abstract. Colors and designs, colliding together like an accidental masterpiece!

Take some paint, buy some cheap paint if you don’t have any (or, hell, use ketchup and mustard!) and just simply create. Take the color and go somewhere where no one will bother you. And just let loose — all of your anger, frustration, even laziness. Just quietly, create.

Throw the color, make gentle designs, cover your body, and slather some emotional creation on paper. It’s wonderful. Don’t think about what you’re going to do, don’t worry about what it looks like, just clear your mind, and create.

Last, but definitely not least.

Be goofy

Yep, you read that right. Be goofy as hell-o-operator!

Go to your mirror and make a funny face at yourself. Laughter does help — when you feel stressed, or your brain is condensed with crap, just start laughing. Or, what I like to do — flail around my room like those terrifying blow-up men outside of car dealerships.

Not only does being goofy help you release tension, but it’s also fun. When is the last time you danced like an ape in front of family and friends?

Try it. Just let out a chuckle right now, here, I’ll help with some word fun. Fart…

What’s the verdict

Learn to chill out a little bit. Even if you hate baths, you don’t like the smell of paint, or laughing scares you. We have to find solutions for our stress and lack of clarity.

Otherwise, what’s the meaning of life? Don’t you want to be more comfortable and have a clutter-free mind?

If you have any personal methods of releasing stress and brain debris, please comment! I would love to try them.

Toodles!