Readers, hello again! I missed last week's article because my (grown) children were visiting from California. We had such a good time, and 4 of the days were spent at an Airbnb in Edinburgh (absolutely gorgeous, especially in the winter with all the lights up!). Have you ever wondered why it feels so calming walking into a good Airbnb or a nice hotel room? One reason is there's zero clutter. What's there is pretty, functional, and in its proper place. There's no laundry waiting to be washed, bills waiting to be paid, or dishes in the sink. What does that have to do with today's article on mental stress?

Picture this: Instead of the Airbnb, you’re now standing in your mental closet, surrounded by mismatched socks of outdated ideas, sweaters of unresolved grudges, and that coat of unrealistic expectations that hasn’t fit since 2017. Sound familiar? Well, it’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo and spark some joy, but this time in your brain.

Here’s how to declutter your mental closet, and make some possibly uncomfortable changes.

Step 1: Face the Chaos

You can’t declutter without first acknowledging the mess. Take a moment to visualize your mental closet. Is it overflowing with half-baked ideas, unnecessary guilt, and a to-do list from six months ago? If so, grab a mental flashlight and prepare to dig in.

Step 2: Sort Your Thoughts Into Piles

Marie Kondo famously asks if an item sparks joy. In your mental closet, ask: Does this thought serve me? Create three piles:

1. Keep: These are the goals, values, and ideas that still excite you, or at the very least don’t make you groan.
2. Toss: Outdated aspirations, limiting beliefs, and other mental clutter go here.
3. Maybe: For those “I might need this” thoughts, set them aside for a later review. Spoiler alert, most will end up in the Toss pile.

Step 3: Recognize Clutter Before Letting It Go

Marie Kondo encourages gratitude for items you’re discarding. Do the same for your mental clutter. Thank that fear of failure for trying to protect you. Acknowledge the dream of becoming a professional cupcake decorator for inspiring your creativity. Then, kindly show them the door. Get rid of that mental baggage!

Step 4: Organize What’s Left

Now that you’ve cleared some space, it’s time to organize. Your mental closet should be filled with thoughts and goals that align with who you are now, not who you were five years ago. Prioritize the “Keep” pile by what sparks the most joy. Don’t shove your meaningful aspirations into the back corner like last year’s holiday decorations.

Step 5: Make Room for New Stuff

Decluttering isn’t just about letting go, it’s about creating space. Now that your mental closet is less crowded, you have room for fresh ideas, healthier habits, and maybe a new dream or two. Just remember to be intentional about what you bring in. Don’t fill your freshly cleaned closet with more junk.

Step 6: Maintain Your Mental Closet

Decluttering isn’t a one and done deal. Check in regularly to make sure your mental closet isn’t getting cluttered again. Think of it as mental housekeeping, a quick tidying session every month beats a full-on decluttering session every December. And let’s be honest, you don’t want to repeat this whole process anytime soon.

Bonus Tip: Laugh Through the Process

Decluttering your mental closet doesn’t have to be serious business. Play some music, crack some jokes, and don’t take yourself too seriously. Remember, even Marie Kondo probably has a drawer somewhere filled with mismatched socks (she probably doesn't, but it makes me feel better to think she does). The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.

Closing Thoughts

Clearing your mental closet is liberating, empowering, and actually fun when you approach it with the right mindset. So grab that metaphorical trash bag, start tossing what doesn’t serve you, and make space for a 2024 that truly sparks joy. After all, a tidy mind is the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season.

My focus is working with clients through challenging adjustments in their life. If you feel like you have too much mental clutter to know where to begin, you're in the right place. I would love to work through it with you! Here's to an Airbnb state of mind.