How to Declutter Your Life and Mind

Picture this: You’re trying to focus on studying, balancing a side hustle, and building the mindset of a leader—but your mind is buzzing like a beehive. You’ve got notifications popping up, clothes everywhere, random tabs open on your laptop, and a mental to-do list as long as your Netflix watchlist. Sound familiar?

If so, it’s time to clear out the clutter. But decluttering isn’t just about organizing your room or closing all those tabs. It’s about creating space in your life, so you can actually focus, make moves, and feel at peace instead of overwhelmed. Here’s how to declutter your life and mind like a pro in 2024.

1. Declutter Your Physical Space: The Power of a Clean Environment

Before we dive into mental hacks, let’s start with the most obvious: the stuff around you. A messy room or desk isn’t just an eyesore—it’s a magnet for distractions. If your space is chaotic, your mind will be too. So, here’s the first rule of decluttering: clean up the physical before diving into the mental.

• Start Small, Win Big: Don’t aim to declutter your entire room in one go. Begin with a small space, like your desk, or even one drawer. Sort through your stuff, and if it doesn’t have a clear purpose or value, let it go. Think of it as creating room for the important stuff in your life—physically and mentally.
• Create Zones: Set up different areas for different tasks. Keep your study space separate from your gaming or side hustle space. This can give your brain visual cues to shift focus, helping you study or work more efficiently.
• Digital Declutter: Apply this to your digital life too! Organize files, delete unnecessary apps, and make a habit of clearing out your email inbox. Try creating folders for documents you actually need and remove files you haven’t used in months.

2. Declutter Your Schedule: Time is Money, Don’t Waste It

With school, side hustles, social life, and self-care on the agenda, your schedule can get packed before you know it. To declutter your life, you need to clear up not just your physical space but your time too.

• Limit Your To-Do List: We all love a good to-do list, but it can be a double-edged sword. Instead of listing everything under the sun, pick three main tasks for the day. This helps you prioritize and avoid feeling overwhelmed by a mile-long list of tasks.
• Batch Your Tasks: Group similar tasks together and knock them out in one sitting. For example, schedule time for all schoolwork and another for side hustle tasks. Batching lets you focus on one type of activity at a time, boosting productivity.
• Say “No” More Often: Not everything requires your immediate attention. Learn to say “no” to commitments that don’t align with your goals or values. The time you save can go towards something that truly matters to you—like leveling up your side hustle or focusing on that leadership mindset.

3. Declutter Your Mind: Less Noise, More Clarity

It’s one thing to clear physical clutter, but mental clutter? That can be a whole different challenge. We live in a world of constant input—social media, news updates, notifications, and random thoughts that all fight for space in our heads.

• Brain Dump the Junk: One of the best ways to declutter your mind is by doing a brain dump. Take a few minutes to jot down every random thought or task that’s swirling in your mind. Don’t filter anything out. This will free up mental space and help you see things you actually need to tackle vs. things that are just noise.
• Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness doesn’t mean you have to sit still for hours. A simple practice like focusing on your breathing for a few minutes can help reduce anxiety and quiet mental clutter. Apps like Headspace or Insight Timer make it easy to squeeze in some daily mindfulness without much hassle.
• Turn Down the Info Overload: We’re all guilty of endless scrolling, whether it’s Tik Tok, YouTube, or Reddit. But every scroll adds more noise to your mind. Start setting boundaries with your device—like turning off notifications during study time, unfollowing accounts that drain your energy, or simply setting a timer for social media.

4. Declutter Your Relationships: Quality Over Quantity

The people in your life should uplift, inspire, and motivate you. But we’ve all got that one friend who leaves us feeling drained or uninspired. In 2024, decluttering doesn’t stop at objects or time—it extends to your social circle too.

• Evaluate Your Circle: Think about the people you interact with the most. Are they supportive, positive, and encouraging? Or do they add drama, stress, or negativity? Decluttering your relationships doesn’t necessarily mean cutting people off. It could mean limiting interactions or setting boundaries that prioritize your peace.
• Seek Growth Buddies: Surround yourself with people who challenge you in positive ways. Seek friends or mentors who are ambitious, goal-oriented, and aligned with your hustle. Whether it’s studying together, collaborating on side projects, or sharing insights, these relationships can help you stay on track.
• Limit Social Media FOMO: Relationships aren’t just IRL; they’re online too. Unfollow or mute accounts that leave you feeling bad about your own life. If you find yourself caught in the comparison trap, remember that social media is a highlight reel. Follow accounts that uplift and inspire you instead.

5. Declutter Your Goals: Focus on What Really Matters

Having multiple goals can be a good thing, but when you’re chasing too many at once, it’s easy to lose direction. As someone diving into a side hustle, studying, or aiming to build leadership skills, it’s crucial to focus on what actually moves the needle.

• Choose One Big Goal: Instead of juggling multiple aspirations at once, choose one primary goal to work towards for the next few months. Maybe it’s building your side hustle, acing your exams, or leveling up in your leadership journey. By focusing on a single goal, you can avoid burnout and make more meaningful progress.
• Break It Down: Large goals can feel intimidating, so break them into bite-sized tasks. Want to grow a side hustle? Start with small steps like creating a portfolio or networking with potential clients. Working towards smaller milestones makes the whole thing feel less overwhelming.
• Keep a Goal Journal: Track your progress, setbacks, and any shifts in your goals. Journaling your journey will keep you focused on what matters and allow you to re-evaluate when necessary. Plus, it’s super satisfying to look back on all you’ve achieved.

6. Declutter Your Finances: Money Matters, Don’t Ignore It

Financial clutter can weigh on your mind just as much as anything else, especially if you’re a student juggling studies and a side hustle. Taking control of your finances doesn’t have to be complicated or scary—it’s just about creating clarity.

• Review and Track Your Spending: Start by seeing where your money is actually going. Apps like Mint or You Need A Budget (YNAB) can help track your expenses and identify any money leaks. Knowing where your money is going lets you budget better, which gives you financial peace of mind.
• Separate Side Hustle Finances: If you’ve got a side hustle, keep those finances separate. This way, you can track your income and expenses without mixing it with your personal budget. Plus, it’ll make tax season way easier.
• Invest in Growth: Think of your finances as part of your decluttered, goal-oriented life. Invest in things that genuinely help you grow, whether it’s online courses, productivity tools, or even tech gear for your side hustle. Spend on what helps you build towards your goals instead of impulse purchases.