Declutter Your Mind (Summary & Review)

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Get the Audiobook: Buy on Audible

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Declutter Your Mind Summary

Are you tired of using all the digital productivity tools and still feel burnouts?

You are in the right place.

In this book summary, I’ll share 5 best lessons that will help you deal with the overwhelm of digital media and become more productive in life.

Alrighty, so without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Lesson #1: The stress due to modern lifestyle is causing depression and anxiety.

There is no denying that modern digital life can be stressful.

No matter your profession – corporate, freelance, or government – you cannot deny the impact of technology on your life.

Isn’t this weird?

Digital gadgets promise to make our lives easier by proving us more options to connect and find information through various applications.

But ultimately, we find ourselves exhausted by the end of the day.

Why does it happen?

This happens because we aren’t trained to deal with so many choices in life.

Having numerous options is nice, but the question is:

Can we really process a large number of options?

As long as there are few options, it’s a luxury.

But when the options become too hard to handle, it becomes a pain and causes stress.

Some also love to call it the paradox of choice.

Imagine you have to order food online or buy something on Amazon.

What happens when you open the application?

You get overwhelmed by so many options available too, don’t you?

Unless you know exactly what you want, you are destined to become confused.

All the available choices would look appealing.

Think about how many things you can do digitally.

You can connect with others, do your job, play games, listen to music, watch movies, etc.

Now, answer this:

What is the best thing for you to do right now?

Should you have fun? Or should you study online?

Or should you do something else?

Confused, aren’t you?

When you have so many choices, you get paralyzed as our brain struggles when faced with countless options.

As a result, you feel stressed despite having the latest cutting-edge technology at your disposal.

If this wasn’t enough, digital media makes sure that you keep consuming information even when it’s not necessary.

They keep you hooked with catchy titles and phrases that even a mindful person would find difficult to ignore.

Clearly, more technology isn’t the answer here.

You need to accept that sustaining such busy lifestyle will only lead you to anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other such mental health problems.

Mental health issues may seem daunting and overwhelming, but there are ways to take control of your mental health and live a healthier life.

Keep reading to learn more.

Lesson #2: Negative thoughts are destructive and need to be dealt with.

Monitor how much time you spend consuming social media these days.

The more time you spend online, the more vulnerable you become to negative thoughts and emotions.

Engaging in conversations and debates on social media can quickly lead to arguments and disagreements. This can cause stress and anxiety as you struggle to keep up with the latest trends, news, and topics.

Moreover, it can be difficult to distinguish between facts and opinions on social media. This can lead to confusion and can further exacerbate negative feelings.

How weird it is: We see people fighting and tweeting over petty issues, while the most burning issues are often ignored.

Have you ever pondered why negative information receives more publicity and attention?

It’s because there is a problem with our evolutionary mind.

It is a well-known fact that our brains are naturally wired to focus on the negative.

Negative thoughts and feelings easily grab our attention, while positive ones often get overlooked.

This means that we are more likely to remember the bad experiences and negative emotions, while the good ones easily fade away.

This phenomenon is known as the negativity bias.

It is an evolutionary trait that helped us stay safe in ancient times.

However, in the modern world it can be quite a burden to bear, as it makes us overreact to minor threats and can cause us to experience unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Fortunately, there are several ways to overcome this bias and focus on the positive aspects of life.

Practicing mindfulness, spending time in nature, and engaging in positive activities can help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings, and focus on the good things in life.

By consciously acknowledging the positive moments and experiences, we can gradually become less prone to the negativity bias and enjoy life more fully.

Not acknowledging the negativity bias of your mind will keep you stuck in the trap, and you’ll waste a lot of time dealing with thoughts that aren’t contributing to your welfare.

Lesson #3: Replace your thoughts instead of trying to stop them.

One way to manage negative thoughts is to replace the thought with something more positive. This is a technique that can be done anytime, anywhere, and is especially helpful when you are feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts.

For example, if you have the thought “I can’t do this”, replace it with “I can do this, I just need to take it one step at a time”. This can help to reframe the thought into something more empowering and motivating.

Another technique is to practice deep breathing. This helps to calm your body and mind and can help to clear away negative thoughts.

It is also important to accept your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Acknowledge that you are having the thought or feeling, but do not judge it or criticize yourself for having it.

Distracting yourself in something engaging can also be helpful. This can be anything from going for a walk, listening to music, or engaging in a creative activity.

You can also try recalling positive events in your life when you overcame a hurdle, and remind yourself of your past successes when you were able to overcome similar challenges in the past.

This can help to shift your perspective and give you the courage to move forward despite the fear and doubt.

These are just a few of the ways that you can replace your thoughts instead of trying to stop them.

Most people make the mistake of rejecting negative thoughts and forcing their minds to stop thinking.

But the more you do this, the more your mind will get agitated.

Simply accept your thoughts.

The author suggests that you challenge them.

Often it’s our false interpretation of reality that creates a spiral of negative thoughts.

Challenging thoughts is different from trying to stop them.

Accept that negative thought is there in your mind.

Then ask:

“Does the idea in my mind really represent reality?”

This isn’t a shortcut, though.

But the more you’ll challenge your thoughts, you’ll start to notice patterns.

With practice, you will be able to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and find the best way to manage them.

Lesson #4: Try not to fill your home with things that don’t align with your mission and values in life.

It is important to be mindful of the things that we bring into our homes, as they can have a big impact on our lives.

Our homes should be full of items that represent our values and goals, rather than things that simply clutter up our space and make it difficult to stay organized and focused.

Consider carefully what items you bring into your home and make sure that each one is serving a purpose that is aligned with your mission and values.

Seeing too many things at once can be overwhelming for your brain. It harms your decision-making quality and causes indecision.

Just think about the amount of money that you spend on items for your home.

It is easy to get carried away and spend more than you can afford on things that you don’t actually need.

The cost of clutter can add up quickly and can have a negative impact on your financial situation as well.

Try to make sure that you are only spending money on items that are essential and will be used regularly.

Having a clear and organized space can also help to promote positive mental health and reduce stress.

Take the time to declutter your home and get rid of items that are no longer useful or relevant.

By doing so, you can make room for items that are meaningful to you and that will help you to stay focused on your goals.

This might sound boring, but try to limit your consumption.

The author says that less is more.

How much is too much?

There are no hard rules here.

Simply use your common sense.

When you find yourself more stressed and mentally exhausted, decluttering your home and digital space will definitely help become more happy and sane.

Lesson #5: Spend more time offline than you do online if possible.

Virtual world occupies more space in our minds than the real world these days.

Minimize your digital time and taking digital breaks time to time is essential.

You don’t have to listen to everything and everyone.

Limit the amount of news you consume.

You don’t need to know everything that’s happening in the world right now.

For example, as a football fan, I used to read a lot about transfers going on in different clubs, and enjoy reading about different matches, but later I realized how much time of my life it was consuming.

I started focusing more on my core values and aligning my life with them.

In other words, I started prioritizing things that meant something to me in the long term.

The best way to reduce your digital time is to do more real-world activities.

Kindly note that it isn’t very practical to force ourselves to spend less time on smartphones. It’s easier to replace those activities with more real-world activities.

You can do things like:

• Reading a physical book: Many people are switching to online books or audiobooks these days due to convenience. However, holding a physical book and feeling the pages with your fingertips while you read brings more joy than scrolling through pages on your smartphone. Plus, you have more focus as there are no notifications or reminders to disturb you during the process.
• Playing football or any other sport: Although, youngsters love to play games online these days. Playing sports on a real ground with friends is much more fun. It also has positive effects that can help reduce anxiety and stress. It also helps build relationships, foster collaboration, and create a sense of belonging. Playing outside is much better than playing video games with a controller indoors.
• Joining a music band: It is an excellent way to reduce digital time and connect with others in the real world. It helps you take your mind off of distractions and focus on creating something beautiful. Music has been shown to have calming effects that can help reduce anxiety and stress. Creating music is a totally different experience. Just try picking any musical instrument, and you’ll know what I mean.
• Joining yoga classes: Practicing yoga can help to improve balance and coordination, increase self-awareness, and foster a greater connection with your body. It can also help to reduce anxiety and depression, promote a better night’s sleep, and encourage mindful living. It’s much better than scrolling Instagram Reels all day.
• Helping non-profit organizations: It’s a great way to distract yourself from digital life and bring yourself to the real world, and at the same time give back to the community. It offers you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need and can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By doing so, you can help empower people and also raise awareness of social issues and encourage others to take part in meaningful causes.
• Contemplating and doing nothing: Taking time to think deeply and reflect on life without being distracted by any external influences is a great way to declutter your mind. It can help you to focus on what is truly important in life and identify what brings you joy and satisfaction. Taking a break from all the hustle and bustle of daily life can be a great way to clear your head and gain clarity on what you should prioritize in your life.
• Getting enough rest: Good sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. Taking the time to rest and relax is important for staying healthy and avoiding burnout.
• Writing down your thoughts: Writing down your thoughts can be helpful in understanding your feelings and emotions. It can also be a great way to express yourself without fear of judgment or criticism.
• Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being aware of the present moment and accepting your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It can help you to be more aware of your mental state and to recognize any unhealthy thought patterns.

Bullet Summary: Declutter Your Mind by Barrie Davenport & S.J. Scott

Here is the short version of what we discussed so far:

• The digital world is overwhelming and can cause stress and anxiety.
• Negative thoughts are destructive and need to be managed.
• Replace your thoughts instead of trying to stop them.
• Try not to fill your home with things that don’t align with your mission and values in life.
• Spend more time offline than you do online if possible.

Declutter Your Mind Review

Here is the unbiased and critical review of this book:

Buy The Book

You can buy the book in your preferable format below:

Get the Audiobook: Buy on Audible

Get the Kindle version: Buy on Amazon

Get the Paperback version: View price on Amazon

Final Thoughts

Decluttering your mind and taking a break from the digital world is essential for your physical and mental health.

Doing so, you can free yourself from stress and anxiety and create a space for yourself that is full of positive energy and joy.

I’m also guilty of doing all those digital mistakes that everybody makes.

I’ve also wasted countless hours on social and then regretting about it.

But it doesn’t matter. That time is gone.

The best you can do is figure out how you will manage the time that you have in your hands right now.

Your Turn

I hope you this book summary was helpful.

Now you tell me:

What are your favorite ways to declutter your mind?

Got some feedback?

You can contact me anytime and let me know.

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Thanks for reading.