The Echoes in My Mind
Those voices inside your head won’t be quiet – all you can hear is your boss telling you to have those reports complete by Friday, or your daughter reminding you there’s soccer practice this Saturday, or a parent’s voice telling you they need your help cleaning the house this weekend. Most of us have somewhere to be each day, not to mention the everyday “fire drills” we get put through at work or at home. It can feel very overwhelming, and our minds can get so noisy.
Some of us even have echoes of voices from experiences in the past, haunting us in the present. I used to feel like no matter what, I constantly had some sort of mental clutter – I always had something going on in my mind. If it wasn’t something new causing that anxious, chaotic feeling, it was something from the past creeping back to haunt me. Some days were worse than others, but it was there every day.
Clearing the Clutter
After fixing several other parts of my life, I was finally able to cut down on the mental clutter. It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it. I learned that our minds and bodies aren’t standing in separate corners of the room – it’s much easier for a physically unhealthy person to experience a poor mental state. The brain is a delicate organ, and we must treat it right.
I noticed I felt more anxious when I had an empty stomach, hadn’t exercised in a few days, ate junk food, and didn’t get enough sleep. I discovered that once I changed these things, the mental clutter began clearing away. Improving my physical health was an important first step.
Taking Control of My Circumstances
I used to tell myself that I couldn’t change my circumstances. But once I decided I’d had enough of the mental clutter, I had no choice but to change my circumstances. I stopped associating with certain people, changed my spending habits, and downsized my possessions. I started with myself, and in time, my circumstances changed.
Over time, things change, and instead of letting them change on their own or letting things change me, I decided to change myself. Some of those changes were difficult – I stopped associating with a few folks who encouraged bad habits, and the world didn’t stop spinning. I was even laid off from my six-figure career, and I didn’t die. I set new expectations with friends and family, and they supported me. My circumstances are completely different now from what they were a short while ago, and I’m infinitely happier.
Understanding What Makes Me Tick
To find out what made me tick, I drew a vertical line down a piece of paper. I labeled the left side “Bad Days” and the right side “Good Days.” For each scenario – Good Day or Bad Day – I thought of the foods I ate, people I saw, places I visited, and so on. I couldn’t remember every detail, but it gave me a few places to start.
To get better, I knew I needed to identify the problems and then find the appropriate tools to combat them. Those tools can be different for everyone, but don’t expect to fight the voice in your head on your own. Read, learn, and explore what works best for you.
Letting Go of the Past
One of my biggest issues was my haunting past. I’ve made mistakes, let people down, and made dumb decisions. I’d often fall asleep replaying my whole day in my head, searching every interaction and conversation for mistakes so I could improve myself. Now, every time I feel anxiety caused by some past experience, I ask myself a few different questions:
- Is that situation relevant now?
- Was that situation even that serious?
- Am I blowing it out of proportion?
- Was that situation in my control?
- Does what that person, family member, or friend said actually have validity, or are they just acting out?
These questions helped me discern the things that mattered and didn’t matter, so I could stop being so hard on myself. I also had to learn what things were in and out of my control. If something was out of my control, I accepted it so I could focus on the things I could control – the things I could change.
Finding Balance and Harmony
Mental clutter is something I’ve worked on my entire life. But through self-reflection, lifestyle changes, and a willingness to let go of the past, I’ve found a sense of balance and harmony that I never thought possible.
Remember, your problems likely aren’t as bad as you think. Don’t be fooled by anyone – you are in control of your circumstances, you are in control of you. Take the first step, and start clearing that clutter for some much-needed mental clarity. Your mind and body will thank you.
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