My mom mind has been a jumbled mess lately. While I know I thrive on organization, I’ve felt really frazzled this week trying to juggle all the balls I have in the air without dropping any. I could go on about Kaitlyn’s 2nd birthday party this weekend (what? how?!) or the TV interview I have tomorrow or some administrative stuff I’m behind on and then there’s the fact that the kids want to eat dinner every single night… I mean, c’mon! (wink)
Yes, I could go on but I’m sure it’s no different than all the different hats you are trying to wear right now as well, so let’s just tap our glasses together (mine’s filled with ACV and lemon because, allergies) in solidarity.
Earlier this week during one of my frantic moments, I realized I had to take a chill pill and organize my mind. Over time I’ve learned a system that works for me and though you would think I would implement these tactics prior to being ready to pull the rip cord, you’d be wrong. I’m working on it though, as these are the surefire steps to me regaining my sanity. I wanted to share them with you today in case you, like me, have been guilty of lack of focus and have found yourself responding to a text while checking email and talking to your kid while burning yourself on the stove. Just me? In case you haven’t realized it yet, multitasking really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Step One: Create space. However works for you, do it. My personal favorite is waking up early, but if your brain somehow works past the hour of 7:00 pm (mine doesn’t), then maybe try staying up later. You could also get a sitter, swap child care duties with a friend or enlist the help of family. Whatever works for your situation, find some quiet, kid-free space for at least an hour.
Step Two: Turn off distractions. No TV, the computer or even phone. Leave it in another room entirely if you need to and at the very least, turn off all your notifications. Nothing keeps a mind over-stimulated quite like the ever-constant buzz of text messages, social media and emails.
Step Three: Go old school and pull out a pad of paper and a pen. Or pencil. I know, I know, some people do it all on the computer, but really try to stick with pen and paper on this one. It will be too tempting to just give your inbox a quick scan otherwise. Plus, there is something therapeutic about the simplicity of pen and paper
Step Four: Start writing. Open your mind and pour it onto the paper. It doesn’t matter where you start. It could be “buy tomatoes” or “clean out inbox” or “clean floors” or “invoice so-n-so” — just start writing it down. Don’t worry about order, organization or format- just write. Sometimes I find myself even including motivational mantras (for example, quality over quantity was scribbled on my last brainstorm sesh) that I’ve had floating around in my head or small focuses/goals I’ve been meaning to spend more time pontificating on. Whatever comes into your mind, write. it. down.
Step Five: Organize it. Only when you truly feel you’ve written down every last thing in your brain from the urgent to the mundane (buy more toilet paper), you can start to group things together and straighten up your lists. I honestly prefer an organized rewrite, but I’m also the gal that rewrites a grocery list to divide it into categorized sections so, you do you.
Step Six: Prioritize it. Are you completely out of toilet paper? Maybe that goes to the top then, but if not, group it in with the other Target purchases to get in a day or two. Once you have all the moving parts down on paper, it becomes much easier to mentally highlight the most important.
Step Seven: Breathe, pick a starting point and time, and implement. Once my mind is free from the clutter, I’m able to start eating the hypothetical elephant. If the kids are waking up or it’s time to pick them up, it’s not a problem. I have mentally taken stock and have my plan of action ready to go. When the next window of time arises, I’m no longer clutter minded and paralyzed by disorganization. I am ready to take action with a clear mind and action plan.
So there it is. Those are the steps that work for me, written (typed?) out in cyberspace for me to refer to the next time I’m staring at the wall blankly, paralyzed by my inaction and foggy brain. I’m all about stopping the glorification of busy. We are all busy. I want to continue working towards efficiency and enjoyment of the process and the satisfaction I get from checking things off an organized and prioritized list.
So share with me, what works for you?
How do you handle the clutter in your mind?
John J. says
Well organized, step by step, for uncluttering the mind. Everybody has occasions for these steps. Maybe this could be expanded into your next book!
jennifer says
Thanks for this! My mind has been on over-drive lately and I need to slow it down. We are preparing for our first family vacation (ever) with 2 kids and we will be going to Nicaragua to visit family. I am beyond excited and starting to become very overwhelmed too (passports, shots?, what to pack? airplane ride with 2 kids!). In addition, I am trying to work on my little side business, keep focused at my full time job, be mom, and my husband is 100% involved in coaching an advanced youth sports league.
*inhale*
I wish there was a button I could push to turn off my thinker for just a day.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh what a fabulous trip you have coming up! I totally agree though, the planning and packing can feel so overwhelming. Before our Disney cruise I had 3 pages of packing lists for all of us to make sure we didn’t miss anything. It was a pain to create but so worth it when we had everything covered. Have a wonderful trip!
Jessica says
Great tips!! I find getting up before my kids not only helps me catch up but also puts me in a better mood.
Kate says
I don’t know what I would do without my 5 am wake-up call. That one hour before I have to start my day is so productive.
I also like to write things down on paper when my brain is too messy. I keep my notes and to-dos in my phone so I have them with me at all times, but when I need to divide and conquer the mess, pen and paper it is… Was that just a rhyme?! Oh well. The things I do on a Thursday afternoon… 😉
Kim @ Brightly Brewed says
Love this! Even as a non-mom (yet!), these are great tips to clear your mind.
Karlee says
This could not have been better timed… slight break-down occurred at my house last night because we’re feeling overwhelmed with all of the mundane things that we’ve let slip through the cracks, i.e. Food, who needs food in the house, right? Apparently my two little girls and their daddy : ) Your tips are very helpful, I’m implementing them immediately!
Heather says
I completely agree with using an actual pen and paper. I’ve tried making lists on my phone and somehow I still end up forgetting things or just forgetting to look at it all because distractions. It’s so easy to get distracted by texts or social media or TV and I am super guilty of this. I know I’d get so much more done and feel less frazzled if I got rid of some of the unnecessary distractions.
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I handle mind clutter how you do – writing this down in a list with pen and paper the old fashioned way. It’s the only way for me. I literally tape the paper above my computer at the office, or put it next to my laptop at home, and check things off. Lists are therapeutic in their own crazy way 🙂
SHU says
I don’t know if you have heard of Getting Things Done, but I bet you would love it 🙂 It is sort of like what you are describing but much much more. I have incorporated many of the techniques and the best part is that it is applicable to work/personal life/kids ALL of it – quite a whole-person, holistic view actually. Anyway, I recommend 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
I shall google it now! Though I’m not sure when I would read it ha. Maybe I need to add time to read to my list?! Love the sound of it though! Thanks 🙂
Allison says
This is great! I have so much going on- and I just started your book on BLW! This has given me SO much (great) content to think about and I need to sit down and really plan out what we are going to do. I have these moments of “broccoli first – fresh for sure or should I do frozen, we love frozen organic and I usually have it on hand”, read new article “OMG their is listeria in our frozen vegetables” check all veggies in freezer, realize we don’t have any of those brands “did I miss it?” . HOLY CRAP breath!!!!
This is something I am totally going to use since this is just one example of how my brain currently works 🙂
Joanna says
How did you know I needed this today?! I just told my husband, “I’m so behind on LIFE”
Creating space and going to a coffee shop tonight to start tackling the brain clutter
Brittany Dixon says
Oh good for you for getting out! Coffee shops are my favorite productive spaces. I think it’s 99% just the smell of the coffee… ahh…
Taylor says
Thank you for this post, it really helped me not feel alone in the paralyzed staring at the wall feeling! I am going to take your advice and start finding “me” time once a day! Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
Definitely not alone! Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with all I have to do that I don’t do a thing at all. Haha! Can anyone explain that logic? 😉