CLEAR THE CUTTER

The ongoing pandemic has made us rethink several aspects, and given us ample time to reflect on what weighs us down in our everyday lives. Taking off from the trail of thought, we take a look at what needs decluttering—be it your wardrobe, makeup kit, a corner in your home, your digital life, or even your mind! We bring you the how tos, and the top tips on where to start, and be practical to make it a continuous process

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FIND THAT ZEN

Worrying about the future, ruminating over the past, and stressing over current to-do lists can lead to mental clutter. Radhika Sathe-Patwardhan shares a few tips to clear it

The lockdown has made everyone sit back and take stock of various things. While thinking may be good, too much of it can lead to an overloaded mind. The pandemic and the resulting lockdown has sent many in a frenzy about the future and made them apprehensive about job security and health. “With juggling household chores, helping my daughter with online classes, and office work, I don’t find much time to rest. In the little time that I do have, I am constantly thinking about the stability of the economy, and how it will affect my family,” says Vandana Gupte, 40, a software engineer from Bangalore. Her mind simply didn’t seem to shut off. Relate to this scenario? What you and Gupte need is to declutter the mind and find a sense of calm.

“The most common reasons for mental clutter are lack of clarity and simplicity. It happens when we lose focus. To focus on the present, you have to simplify your needs and feelings to a basic level,” informs Pune-based counsellor, Kshama Jain. A study by Manhattan College’s Kelly Marin and the University of Wisconsin’s Elena Rotondo (2017) states that rumination involves brooding, self-criticism, and negative emotions, and this leads to one's self-esteem taking a hit, and increased feeling of distress. A cluttered mind can become host to negativity. Take steps to avoid ruminating. Follow these steps.