How to Clear Mental Clutter: A Simple Guide to Brain Dumping

Have you ever felt like your mind was on overdrive, with a million thoughts running through it all at once? If so, you're not alone. Sometimes my brain feels like it has about 100 tabs open, just like my laptop when it's overheating and making that concerning fanning sound.

But fear not, because I have a solution that might just help you clear out some of that mental clutter and actually focus on the things that matter. It's called a brain dump, and despite its somewhat unattractive name, it's an invaluable tool for organizing your thoughts and quieting that incessant mental chatter.

First popularized in David Allen's 2002 book Getting Things Done, brain dumping is all about being intentional about what information you store in your brain, and what gets stored elsewhere. In other words, it's a way to transform an overcommitted, overwhelmed, and disorganized mind into one that is calm and focused.

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to do a brain dump.

Step 1: Writing It All Down

To start, you'll need a piece of paper and something to write with. Set aside around 15-20 minutes (or longer if needed) to write down everything that has been occupying space in your mind. This could be a mix of tasks to do, errands to run, events to attend, recent conversations, decisions to make, and unresolved situations. Don't worry about editing, filtering, or organizing your list at this point. Just write down everything that comes to mind, even if it doesn't make sense to anyone else.

Step 2: Prompts

Once you've written down everything you can think of, consider using prompts to add any additional items to your list. These prompts could include house-related tasks, health and fitness goals, books or articles to read, emails to write, bills to pay, and family or friend-related items.

Step 3: Take a Break

Now, this step may seem counterintuitive, but it's essential to take a break after your initial brain dump. Even just 15 minutes away can help you return to your list with a fresh perspective. Use this time to take a walk, grab a snack, switch the laundry, or do whatever helps you relax and clear your mind.

Step 4: Categorizing Your List

Once you've returned from your break, it's time to categorize your list. Go through each item one by one and decide whether it's something you need to do or something you can let go of. Use a task management tool like a planner, to-do list, or Eisenhower Decision Matrix to help you organize your items.

For items that are straightforward, such as "call plumber" or "organize the pantry," add them to your planner and assign them to a specific day. This will help you free up your mental space and feel more organized.

For items that are more nebulous, such as a tough conversation or a job offer to accept or decline, try to turn them into actionable steps. For example, "write a list of 3 key points I want to address with Jerry" or "write a list of pros and cons of accepting a teaching position." If there's no actionable step to take, decide to let it go and free up mental space.

And there you have it! By doing a brain dump, you can clear out mental clutter and increase feelings of clarity and mental freedom. If you're suffering from chronic brain overload, I recommend doing a brain dump at least once a month to keep yourself feeling clear and motivated.

Remember, our brains have a limited amount of mental real estate, and there's no sense in bogging them down with things that can be written down, scheduled, and released. By doing a brain dump, you can free up mental space and focus on the things that matter most.

So, give it a try and see how it can help you feel more calm, focused, and productive.

Your brain will thank you for it!