Declutter your mind and emotions

Part 1 of 5: Control what you can control series

Declutter your mind and emotions on Election Day 2020? Taking control of our emotions and our thought processes means choosing to focus on the positive and not allowing the negative to hold court in our heads. This may seem daunting when so much is up in the air, yet during unsettled times we need to exercise our “control muscles” more than ever.

This day carries many emotions for Americans, particularly in this year of political, cultural and personal uncertainty. And on top of the general election chaos (I think it’s fair to call it that no matter your political views), we’re living in a global crisis. Much of what we took for granted in prior years has been shaken to the core by the pandemic. Controlling what we can grounds us in the midst of uncertainty.

Uncertainty can lead to anxiety

While clearing the clutter from our hearts and minds sounds simple, this task can be one of the most difficult. When life is uncertain, we humans find it difficult to prepare efficiently and effectively for the future. And when we can’t prepare, we often feel anxious or scared. When emotions run high, we can easily become overwhelmed.

During uncertain times — whether elections and holidays or major life changes — it’s more important than ever to streamline our thinking. So, I came up with a few simple tips to get us started.

6 Steps to declutter your mind and emotions

1. Clear your head by actively unwinding. Taking care of yourself is an automatic “declutterer” for your mind and emotions. When we are stressed or overloaded, our mind and emotions can overpower us, limiting our ability to take action. Take regular walks, do your favorite exercises, eat well, meditate or pray, read positive books!
2. Take inventory of your feelings. Remember, feelings are not good or bad, they’re simply there. Emotions protect us and help us navigate the world, but they don’t always accurately depict a situation. Often, we need to “fact-check” our feelings. My friend Sara Clime has a great four-step “Facts Over Fear” exercise you might consider when you want to make sure your emotions give you accurate information.
3. Let go of negative thoughts and emotions. This sounds so simple and can be so difficult. It’s human nature to hold onto negative thought patterns. Your inner critic unintentionally feeds you lies, and your brain will latch onto this negativity. There’s an ancient Native American legend that says whichever “wolf” we feed will grow — we choose the dark, negative one or the positive, light one by which one we feed. Choose to feed your positive thoughts and emotions!
4. Set priorities. Simplifying experts tell us that knowing what to keep is the most important step in decluttering. Knowing your priorities gives you a lot of power and simplifies choices. For example, if you’ve set your family as a priority, then you can easily decide to put boundaries around your work time. When you prioritize one area of your life, and keep it a priority, you rein in your focus — thus removing areas that don’t need your attention.
5. Decide to decide. Much of what fills our brain is a host of large and small decisions to be made. When we put off decisions, our brains hold space for the pending decision. Start with the simple decisions and check off as many as you can. You’ll be surprised how much mental weight you can lose by removing items from your “list.” If a decision is bigger than you’re ready to handle, break it down so that you can take at least one next step, clearing the way for another and another.
6. Connect with supportive friends and family. Limiting your contact with negativity will help you stay positive. Period. People who criticize, judge or talk down to you create needless “mind chatter” and drain your emotions. And, those who build you up and encourage you are the ones you want more of in your life. This applies to your social media and news habits also — seek out the positive, practical and productive.

So, on this Election Day, or any time you feel unsettled or uncertain, declutter your mind and emotions with these simple steps: 1) Clear the headspace, 2) Take inventory, 3) Let go of the negative, 4) Set priorities, 5) Decide, and 6) Connect with your support.

Choose simple, especially in your head and your heart.

May you feel the comfort of a clear mind and open heart. May you find peace on this day and always remember that God works through every circumstance.