Spring Cleaning for the Brain

Just as one clears out physical Clutter during spring cleaning, identifying and discarding mental Clutter, such as distractions, commitments, and beliefs that do not align with one’s essential priorities give us a head start on dusting off limitations. This process entails introspection, prioritization, and intentional decision-making to create mental clarity and enhance focus on what brings us genuine fulfillment and value.

I have found this principle especially relevant for the artistic and creative mind and I admit, I fit into that category. After reading Marie Kondo’s books on Tidying Up and Joy at Work I was momentarily inspired to go through every closet, drawer and file to sort and clean. But of course, I didn’t have time to do that! But what I did have time to do was consistently clear my desk of Clutter, systematically purging old files and adding more order to my days. I have advised others for years to do the same, but just like many doctors, it’s hard to take the same medicine you’ve given others. This practice of order takes planning and consistency, scheduling it in my calendar. The clearing of Clutter is not a natural habit for me and It is easy to spend way too much time on non-essential activities.

Here, we will cover five practices that will hopefully help those at any level take a step up in spring cleaning for the brain to think with more clarity and act with more decisiveness. Each practice is illustrated with a real-world example that is relatable and applicable.