Hands up if your brain sometimes feels like that drawer everyone has, you know the one. The “miscellaneous” drawer overflowing with old batteries, cables, chargers, random keys, a tin of old screws, and a stash of receipts from years ago.
Yep, thought so. Well unfortunately our minds can get just as cluttered, sometimes even more so. We’re constantly bombarded with to-dos, worries, “what ifs,” and a general mental rubbish that builds up, making it hard to find clarity and, well, get stuff done!
It’s time for a mental spring clean…who cares if it’s autumn! Let’s talk about what to “shred” from your mind today.
Why Our Brains Become Hoarders
Our amazing brains are constantly processing information, but they’re not always great at filing or discarding. We pick up emotional baggage, latch onto worries (sometimes worries others have, they’re not even your own), replay conversations, and hold onto commitments we probably shouldn’t.
This isn’t just annoying; it’s exhausting. Mental clutter saps your energy, dims your focus, and makes even simple decisions feel like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops.
The Shredder is Ready: What to Toss!
Grab your Get Stuff Done Journal (or any bit of paper, we’re not fussy!), and let’s do a quick mental clutter check-in. Ask yourself, what am I carrying around today that I can absolutely, definitively shred?
Here are some prime candidates for the mental shredder:
1. The “Should-Haves” & “Could-Haves” 🤦♀️
- “I should have replied to that email faster.”
- “I could have handled that conversation better yesterday.”
- “I should be more productive right now.”
SHRED IT! You can’t change the past. Dwelling on what should or could have been just wastes precious mental energy that you need for what is and what will be. Learn from it, then let it go.
2. Unfinished & Uncommitted Tasks 📝
You know those vague ideas floating around? “I should really look into that new hobby,” or “Must remember to tidy the garage sometime.” These half-thoughts are pure clutter.
SHRED IT! Either commit to it (and put it on a to-do list with a specific action!) or consciously decide not to do it right now. If it’s not a “hell yes,” it’s probably a “no” for now. Giving yourself permission to postpone or discard makes a huge difference.
3. Other People’s Expectations (That Aren’t Yours) 🎭
Are you stressing over something because you feel like someone else expects it of you, even if it doesn’t align with your priorities or values?
SHRED IT! Your life, your rules (mostly!). While we have responsibilities, sometimes we take on burdens that aren’t truly ours, or we overthink what others might be thinking. Focus on what genuinely matters to you. This doesn’t mean be inconsiderate, but try putting yourself first for a change.
4. The “What Ifs” & Worst-Case Scenarios 🔮
“What if this goes wrong?” “What if they say no?” “What if the sky falls?” Our brains are brilliant at conjuring up imaginary disasters….catastrophising, we thought we had done a blog on this. Might have to make that the next one!
SHRED IT! Most “what ifs” never happen. For the ones that might, ask yourself: “Is there anything I can actually do about this right now?” If not, acknowledge the thought, then gently push it away. If there is, turn it into an actionable step, and tackle that small win!
5. Old Grudges & Minor Annoyances 😤
That slightly passive-aggressive off the cuff comment from last week. The driver who cut you up this morning. The item you bought two weeks ago now in the 50% off sale. Are you still replaying it?
SHRED IT! Holding onto these tiny irritations is like carrying around a pocket full of tiny, sharp stones. They just weigh you down and poke at you. Forgive, forget, or simply acknowledge the frustration and consciously release it. You deserve mental peace!
Your Mental Shredding Machine
The process is simple:
- Acknowledge: Notice the thought or worry.
- Identify: Is it one of the shreddable items above?
- Decide: Do I need to keep this? Is it serving me? Is it actionable today?
- Shred: If not, imagine throwing it into a mental shredder. Vvvvt! Gone!
Give yourself permission to declutter your mind today. You’ll be amazed how much lighter and clearer you feel. A decluttered mind is a powerful mind, ready to get stuff done!
What are you shredding from your mind today? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Tip: If you find your mind running away with itself stressing or worrying this simple breathing trick will work wonders.
1. Breathe in whilst counting to four.
2. Hold your breathe whilst counting to four.
3. Breathe out whilst counting to four.
4. Repeat a few times and that irritation or stress will have faded.
GET STUFF DONE 
Leave a comment