Are you someone who carries a heavy burden of mental clutter? Do you tend to dwell on past events, replay conversations, or cling to frustrations long after they’ve passed? If you are, then these stories are keeping you chained to the past, and they stopping you move forward with greater ease. Furthermore, they erode energy, negatively impact health and become poor mental habits of thought. However, when you recognise, release and rewire these thoughts, you have the potential to transform your life. Exactly why focusing on creating a healthy mindset is key.
Holding onto Mental Clutter Becomes a Heavy Burden
I came across a story I first heard years ago, and it struck me again just how powerful it is, a timeless reminder worth sharing today.
“Two monks on a pilgrimage came to a river where a well-dressed woman hesitated at the water’s edge, fearful of ruining her clothes. Without hesitation, one monk lifted her onto his back, carried her across, and gently set her down. The other monk said nothing—until an hour later when he blurted out, “You know we’re not supposed to touch women! How could you break the rules?” The first monk calmly replied, “I set her down an hour ago. Why are you still carrying her?”
(Adapted from a Zen parable, as shared by Irmgard Schloegl in The Wisdom of Zen Masters)
This simple story offers a powerful lesson: what we carry in our minds, our mental clutter, weighs far more than anything we carry in our arms. Furthermore, it’s one of the seven poor behaviours to avoid at all cost.
Do You Ruminate on Your Mistakes or Shortcomings and Build Mental Clutter?
One of the most common patterns I see in my clients is their tendency to hold onto past mistakes, regrets, or perceived shortcomings, constantly replaying what they didn’t do, or should have done better. All this does is create mental clutter that clogs up the brain and holds you back. Additionally, while many people believe focusing on where they went wrong helps keeps them accountable, in truth it only erodes their confidence, diminishes self-worth, and drains their core energy.
This mental clutter continued to hold them back from the success and life they deeply desire. Dr. Daniel Amen, renowned psychiatrist and brain imaging expert, has shown through SPECT scans that chronic negative thinking alters brain function, specifically reducing activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for focus, decision-making, and impulse control.
“Every thought you have changes your brain—for better or worse.” – Dr. Daniel Amen
How often do you dwell on past events, and replay conversations?
Do you cling to frustrations long after they’ve passed? Remember, mental clutter simply keeps you tethered to the past. Developing a habit of consistently checking and releasing negative thinking is key to clearing the mental clutter forever.
A high-performance mindset for success isn’t just about drive or determination, it’s also about learning to let go. Moreover, strong mental habits, like learning to pause, reframe, and release, are essential for sustainable success and emotional freedom.
The truth is, our habits, mental and behavioural, shape our future. What you repeatedly think, feel, and do shapes who you become. In other words, your mental clutter shapes your future. In the words of Lao Tze:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words;
Watch your words, they become your actions;
Watch your actions, they become your habits;
Watch your habits, they become your character;
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Remember, it’s vital to choose thoughts that energise you, build mental strength, and habits that support your growth.
“What mental clutter are you still carrying that’s weighing you down?”
Today, choose one thought, story, or old belief that no longer serves you, and let it go. When you release what’s behind you, your mental clutter, you make space for creating a better future. Tomorrow, become aware again, and release another one. Replace them with positive. powerful stories that focus towards the future you desire and want. To help you create good habits, I have created a brand new habits course. It’s yours for only $48, so there are no excuses to creating a better future for yourself today.
About the Author
Mandy Napier is a Global High Performance Mindset Coach who dedicates her work to supporting business professionals and entrepreneurs. She helps them fulfil their potential and achieve extraordinary results professionally and personally. Transformations are the norm, and results are guaranteed. She is one of the top 100 life coaching blogs on the website, as determined by Feedspot.
