5 Steps to Stop INNER CLUTTER, and Take Back Your Present

Kim Wolinski, MSW

Dr. DeClutter ... www.DrDeClutter.com

Inner Clutter is that “white noise” in our heads, racing thoughts, mental distractions, anger, old baggage, worry, guilt, judgments and negative thinking, jumping to the past and into the future, limiting us from being really “in our lives” in the present.

Whether you know it or not, Inner Clutter controls you every moment. Inner Clutter wears you out, makes you tired, depressed, steals your time and energy, takes you away from your family and friends and makes you physically ill. The good news… you have the power to change this.

The following five steps will help you take control and make every moment better, and more importantly, a create a better life right now.

1. Breathe
Inner Clutter can be stopped amazingly quickly by just breathing!

When you feel frustrated, your mind won’t stop racing.

DO THIS: Stop for even 2-3 seconds, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Medically this is also very important. Deep breathing gets the necessary oxygen and blood to your brain so that you can think better and therefore make better decisions, letting go of stress.

2. Quiet your mind

No matter what our age, we all need quiet time. Time to reflect, to hear our thoughts, to take care of ourselves, to stop the mental chatter, to redecide and think clear thoughts about what’s really important. Make sure you are making this time for yourself daily, even if it’s just for a few undisturbed minutes to get re-centered.

3. Listen to your thoughts

Marcus Aurelius said, "A man's life is what his thoughts make of it."

Scary, huh?! Really listen to what your thoughts are saying and doing in your head. Examine them and make choices and decisions to deal with them. Don’t just let them wonder around uncontrolled. They are after all, “your” thoughts!

DO THIS: When you sense racing thoughts in your mind stop, listen to what they are saying and capture them in mid-air. Grab one and wrestle it down onto a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. Write it out and see what is actually valid and true about it. If it’s not true, thank it so very much for being so entertaining for so long! And then, let it go.

Every time it tries to come back and create Inner Clutter, acknowledge it and let it go. This is also called, “getting out of your own way!” On the other hand, if the thought is true, do something about it. Your mind is not meant to be used for a holding tank for millions of confused thoughts -- yours and/or others.

4. Define problems as challenges seeking a solution

Vernon Howard, a mystic writer, stated, “Most people merely rearrange their problems, but with self-insight, you can end them.” Every “problem” and negative “drama” is an experience, a thought or an issue waiting to be challenged for a solution. The key here is to stop resisting it, stop resisting “what is.”

Let it go and start seeing and knowing for a positive change by releasing it. Again, sometimes we need to put proactive effort into it, other times we need to just let it go and let it change as it will.

5. Take care of yourself FIRST

“What other’s think of me is none of my business,” ~Terry Cole-Whittaker

Much Inner Clutter is from and about others. Your job, foremost, is to take care of yourself. Think of it this way; you’re on an airplane, the Flight Attendant explains that if the plane experiences problems the oxygen masks may come down from their holding bins in above your head. The next instructions are not just about your plane ride, but all of life… listen closely. “PUT THE OXYGEN MASK ON YOURSELF FIRST, THEN ON YOUR CHILDREN OR TO HELP SOMEONE NEXT TO YOU.”

Why? Because, if you’re gasping, struggling just to breathe, or worse, dead, you’re no help to anyone else! Get it? Take care of yourself first every day, and THEN you are better for everyone else as you choose to offer your help and energy.

So, the next time your find yourself up and running here, running there, going through your morning, unaware of what to do next, where things are, who you are and your mind chatter is winning…stop and do at least one of these five steps to declutter and re-organize Inner Clutter for good.

© 2006 Kim Wolinski, MSW “Dr. DeClutter” is a Professional Organizer based in Longmont, CO. International speaker and author of Letting Go With All Your Might and Keep the Holidays Simple. http://www.redecisionsinstitute.com/kims_store.html
To find out more, or to discuss and schedule a “decluttering” appointment call 303-485-5280. Email: kim@drdeclutter.com or visit www.DrDeClutter.com.