Last night I took a walk beneath a canopy of beech trees as patches of fog hovered over the creek beside me. I’d spent the week keeping up with the kids and trying to stay on top of a full schedule. Desperate to sort through my thoughts and declutter my mind, the forest called me.
Sometimes, it’s hard to know where to begin when it comes to sorting through our mental chaos.
I go outside when my mind feels cluttered.
As I watch the sun sink beneath the hills or listen to the sound of red squirrels gnawing on walnuts, my mind clears.
Nature offers space to sort through my thoughts, assess my troubling circ*mstances, problem-solve with God, and file my concerns in the appropriate parts of my mind—where they can rest and settle.
Making Space to Declutter Your Mind
I need this space to clear my mind.
When I don’t get outside and create space to sort through my thoughts, my brain shifts into overdrive and keeps me awake at night instead. Without space to clear my thoughts, life feels out of control. I feel anxious. I snap at my kids and feel overwhelmed about even small decisions.
We all need spaces where we can problem-solve, meal-plan, make lists, cast vision, assess relationships, and clear our mental chaos.
When life is full, finding this space can be tough. However, if we look closely enough, most of us can find this space within our full schedules. Here are a few ideas:
Turn off your radio when you drive in your car and sort through your thoughts in silence.
Talk to God while you eat breakfast. Instead of turning on the news or scrolling through your phone, declutter your mind with the Lord as you prepare for the day.
Take a ten-minute walk each evening.
Spend part of your lunch break quietly regrouping and talking to the Lord.
Declutter your thoughts while you undertake a simple task like folding laundry or washing dishes.
The secret is to step away from the noise of your day and find space to sort through the clamor.
God is inviting you to a place of peace and rest. Remind yourself that he is with you as you process, plan, and compartmentalize your thoughts. He will guide you, and he will help you live with clarity instead of clutter.
The Difference Between Resting With God and Decluttering With God:
Most of us have learned that we’re supposed to spend daily quiet time with the Lord.
Learning to rest with the Lord (and not trying to accomplish anything at all during this time) has radically transformed my faith. (You can read more about this journey here.)
I aim to rest with the Lord for at least a few minutes at the start and at the end of each day. During this time, I don’t aim to accomplish anything measurable. I simply rest with God and let him enjoy me.
Unlike resting with God, decluttering is a time of deliberately focusing on my schedule, problems that have been bothering me, my to-do list, and the tasks that fill my days.
During this time, I hash out the heaviest issues weighing on me.
I ask God to help me with my schedule and show me what I need to know about my troubles.
I bear my heart to him, process my emotions, and ask for wisdom.
Decluttering time helps me make decisions regarding the kids and our family commitments. It helps me focus on my priorities and sort through difficult circ*mstances. I seek God’s insight on everything from meal plans to conflicts within relationships.
God wants us to bring our burdens and create space for him to direct our footsteps. He is inviting you to create this space as well.
God wants us to bring our burdens and create space for him to direct our footsteps. He is inviting you to create this space as well. #SeekingGod #MentalClutter Share on X
Your Invitation to Declutter:
Ask God to help you designate a space where you might organize your thoughts on a regular basis.
You might choose your car, your shower, a walk outside, your bed, your closet, your laundry room, or anywhere quiet.
Spend five minutes sorting through your thoughts in this space each day. Ask the Lord to help you with anything that’s bothering you. He is waiting to guide you and help you find clarity.
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Calling all moms and daughters!
Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section. Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book! You can buy your paperback or get your free Kindle Unlimited eBook on Amazon right here.
