During Spring and Summer, everyone is all about that de-cluttering life. From old clothes, unwanted books, broken cutlery and old make up, we’re all obsessed with throwing things away. I’ve been like that my whole life. I don’t have to wait to Spring to get a burst of motivation to de-clutter my life. But I do find that de-cluttering is a great way for how to clear your mind.
I’ve always noticed the connection between clutter and how my mind feels. If my space is messy, my mind often is too. If my bedroom is cluttered, I find it hard to truly relax. It really is amazing how our minds and bodies are connected.
Which is why in this post, I want to look at a handful of NON-PHYSICAL things that you can de-clutter from your life TODAY to help clear your mind. Because it’s not just physical clutter that gets in the way.
With so much of our lives online now, our online space and online clutter can build up just as much as the physical stuff. And I know that sometimes, de-cluttering can feel like a mammoth task.
Sometimes, when our mental health is low or we’re having a bad time, it’s the last thing you’ll want to do. You’ll want to know how to clear your mind but won’t necessarily have the energy to do so.
Well these following suggestions are super easy. Super doable. And a great place to start on clearing your mind.
Want to know how to de-clutter your mind? Read on!
Netflix / Amazon Prime Watch Lists
How many films and shows have you aimlessly put on your Netflix watch list only to forget about them almost instantly? But then you forget about them so much that they just stay there on your list, doing nothing? Get rid of everything that you’re 100% not going to watch or anything you’ve completely forgotten about. If you haven’t watched it in 6 months of it being on your list, sorry hun but you’re never going to watch it.
If you need some new things to add to these lists, check out these posts for some recommendations:
- 7 Female Led Shows To Add To Your Watch List
- Netflix Shows To Binge When You’re Feeling Low
- 10 Horror Movies To Watch On Amazon Prime
YouTube Watch Later List
With so many creators releasing new content every single day on YouTube, it can be so hard to keep up with everyone. Even the most avid YouTube watcher can’t watch everything in one day. Sometimes your YouTube Watch Later list builds up and builds up to the point where it’s almost impossibly to tackle. And not to mention over time, you might just fall out of love with some creators and that’s okay!
This is a big one for me and over the years, my watch later list on YouTube has regularly built up to over 200 videos. Eeek! I know I’m NEVER going to get through them so why do I keep them on there? I like to have a de-clutter of that list every now and again and also of the creators I’m following. As we change, our tastes change. And that’s okay!
Spam Comments
Our spam comments folder can build up massively over time because it’s not normally something we’re thinking about. Obviously, it’s spam. But take some time to delete all your spam comments and try and stay on top of it! But don’t forget, some genuine comments do get confused for spam sometimes, so whilst sorting your spam folder out, you might come across a lot of long lost comments from genuine readers!
How to clear your mind continued:
Junk and Deleted Emails
How often do you clear out your deleted emails folder? Rarely I’d guess? I didn’t do mine in probably 6 months and it took FOREVER to clear out, so now I’m trying to do it more regularly so it doesn’t get cluttered. And if you’re not someone that checks your junk folder regularly, now is a good time to do that too!
If you’re a blogger, sometimes blogging opportunities can get lost in your junk folder. I know that my emails have landed in people’s junk folder in the past and my email address is genuine, so it’s likely that others will occasionally too. You don’t want to miss out on any fab opportunities – just because your folders are cluttered!
Unused Apps / Games / Programs
I’m thinking all things electronic here, so your phone, your computer and any consoles you might have. Apps, programs and games also build up over time but you never use 100% of them all the time. Any games that you’re done with for now, get rid of them from your device to make room for new ones. Any apps you haven’t used in months can go because you’re unlikely to use them after all this time and any programs on your laptop that never get used can be uninstalled too!
Facebook Friends List
And finally, your Facebook friends. This is a really good one to have a de-clutter of because you simply do not need 800 Facebook friends, of which you met once, at a party, when you were 17 and never spoke to once after that. There will be a lot of people on here that you no longer need or want in your life. People you haven’t spoken to in years, don’t get along with any more or simply strangers from the past that you’ve forgotten about.
I think this can be one of the hardest of all. You can sometimes feel mean doing it. Or wonder whether you’ll actually want to speak to them again in the future but then it’ll be awkward because you’ve deleted them. Or perhaps you have a long history with someone and just don’t want to let them go. Trust me, after a couple of weeks, you’ll have forgotten all about it.
Did this post help you know how to clear your mind, the next time you need a little non-physical de-clutter? Let me know in the comments!
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[…] De-Clutter These 6 Things For a Clearer Mind […]
Deleted emails – bane of my life 🤣
Haha right! Get on those pronto!
Such a great post, Jenny! A big one for me is clearing out apps. I download the silliest things sometimes and forget about them but I film all my photos and videos on my phone so I need as much storage as I can get! I also like to brain dump if I’m feeling overwhelmed. Thanks for sharing x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Yeah those silly apps and games you play once and then never think about again can definitely go!
I love this! I’ve done a lot of decluttering lately and it’s quite empowering! I need to declutter my goodreads shelf! Next stop is my clothes! Thanks for sharing!
Good luck with both!
Great tips! I definitely need to go through all my junk (and just general tbf) emails at some point, as well as unused apps. Thanks for sharing x
Junk emails build up SO much!
These are great methods to clear your mind! I love unsubscribing to emails and those old Facebook pages, it’s so satisfying having a clean inbox! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thanks Lucy! It really is. I don’t know how people can have like 1,000s of unread emails haha!
I’m definitely that type of person who feels so much better when the house is clean, and there’s no unread emails in the inbox and the computer desktop is nice and clean. Digital clutter is huge nowadays. I reduced the usage of Instagram and Facebook for personal purposes and it feels amazing. These are really good ideas! Thank you for sharing
It really is. I don’t think most of us realise how much digital clutter we have!
Haha I don’t actually use Facebook anymore- but when I did I knew I needed a massive purge! There are people on there I wouldn’t even recognise anymore x
Exactly! There are honestly some people on there I don’t even remember meeting haha!
I love all of these ideas, especially the Netflix one, I’m so guilty of that x
Thank you. Oh me too!
I think the only thing on this list that I’m on top of is spam comments! I check them once a day.
I’m trying to be better with my inbox – mostly because it’s a tiny thing I can do for the environment. Those emails have to be stored somewhere, and servers take up a lot of electrity.
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
I do too, I’m always checking my spam!
[…] digital clean is always worth doing at the start of each month because we can built up a lot of digital rubbish […]
This was so much fun to read. I do these things occasionally, but this morning…pregnant and 1 day late past due….I’m over here trying to figure out how to keep my mind busy. This was perfect for right now, thank you! HAHA
Haha oh no! Well I’ll let you off 😂
I need to do this! I have thousands of junk emails!😂 Great post! So helpful
Check your junk every day!
A great “unconventional” list of things to consider eliminating!
Thank you x
You’re welcome
Some great suggestions.
Ironically you’ve also made me realise that I should probably utilise the list functionality a bit more on Netflix to save me time scrolling through it.
You really should! But don’t let it get too messy!
Love a good declutter!
Mollie | https://mollieclarke.co.uk
I’ve never really thought about it before but my Netflix list does stress me out.
Oh me too! So much shite on there haha!
This is an awesome post!
I most certainly need to start doing some of these!
So thank you for doing this post.
Luke
http://www.lukeheywoodstyle.co.uk
Thanks so much Luke 😌
I recently cleared out my facebook friends and it was so therapeutic!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I bet it was!
I’m the same with Watch Lists – I’ll have them on my list for so long and then I’ll just forget about them as the weeks go by. In terms of Youtube I feel like I’ve forgotten about the Watch Later List – I usually just scroll on the main page and wait for something to catch my eye!
YES SPAM COMMENTS – I try to stay on top of them but sometimes I slack a bit and suddenly I have to sift through a handful of posts!
I don’t think I’ve ever deleted my deleted emails – it’s still a miracle I have my number in the low hundreds in my inbox but I’m trying to get better at managing my emails so I don’t miss anything important!
I have so many apps I don’t use anymore and I haven’t thought of getting rid of them – partially because some games have a high high score and on the -124% chance I decide to play the game again I’m not all the way at the start!
I don’t think I’ve properly been on Facebook in years! To be fair I should just delete it haha! Great post!! Definitely going to start sifting through my apps (and perhaps my inbox) I don’t use and delete them – the perfect reminder!
So glad this has encouraged you!
I definitely need to sort out my Netflix watch list! I always just scroll through my Netflix and see so many things that look good, add them to my list, and then never watch them!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Yep, me too! It’s so annoying 😂
I adore this darling, cluttering things from your life are such wonderful ways to improve your mental health. I’m sending you all of my love! 🌸💜
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
It really is x
I need to sort out my Netflix watch list xx
Hope you get around to it
These are great ideas Jenny! I always feel so much better after having a digital declutter, even just deleting all my junk e-mails makes me feel so much more organised 🙂 I went on a Facebook friends declutter a while ago, it is such a refreshing thing to do and probably should have done it sooner. Great suggestions – thanks for sharing! <3 xxx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you! Oooh I love a Facebook clear out. It’s so satisfying! <3
I definitely need to go through my Netflix list! I never think to go back and get rid of the ones I’ll never watch so I’m going to go and do that now! Same with Youtube, I add loads to my watch later and it just clogs it up xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
It sure does! Tbh, I’m terrible for my YouTube list!
Agree, so cathartic to have a “declutter” of your online spaces. So much we no longer need or want in our life
Very true!
I’m in the process of physically decluttering my home, but you have a good point about tackling the non-physical clutter, too! Junk email is the worst!
I empty my junk folder every day when I check my emails so it never builds up! 🙂
Excellent ideas! I’m going to go through TV recordings, delete what I don’t want and edit what I do. I also always try to keep on top of my emails, but it’s so tricky. Even just missing one day can lead to a massive build-up, and then that puts me off even looking at them!
I check my emails first thing in the morning so they never build up. Once you get into the habit, it becomes much easier 🙂
This is so interesting to me because I’m the complete opposite. I’m a low-key hoarder when it comes to clothes and I really don’t like decluttering physical things at all. But I hate when my digital life gets cluttered. My files are always organised, I make sure to delete my spam every couple of weeks. My YouTube watch later does get clogged up though, that’s a good one! x
Sophie
Most online things I’m good with, like folders and emails (I never let my emails build up!) but Netflix and YouTube are a literal nightmare haha!
I feel so called out with the Netflix list – I do that but with Amazon Prime and some of the shows are there for if they become free on prime in the future because I want to watch them but not enough to buy them XD
Haha! Oh yeah Amazon Prime too, your watch later list on there needs sorting! But that’s a really good idea about keeping them on the list to see if they become free! Life hack!
I love this post! it’s the kind of thing that you don’t realise you need to see before you see it, if you get me haha. I cleared out my Facebook friends list not too long ago but I could definitely do with decluttering the rest of the things on your list! Thanks for this post Jenny. Have a lovely evening x x
Thank you and yes I totally get it! 🙂
YES! I totally agree – we’re all so consumed with getting rid of physical things that we forget how to get rid of things that make us better mentally. Speaking of, I definitely need to clear movies and shows from my Netflix list!
☼ cabin twenty-four
Hope you manage to get around to that soon! 🙂
I keep adding to my watch list at the moment, that’s not going to get me very far! I love this – I’ve been building up to having a Facebook clear out but just haven’t done it yet. Don’t even want to consider the state of my inbox…
Hahah nope! But it’s hard not to isn’t it!
I am very good on cleaning all the electronic clutter each evening at shut down. A good way to start the day fresh and because we get o much of it. Facebook…. that is different story that I am afraid to tackle but will have to.
Great advice, thank yu.
Haha you can do it!
These are fab, thanks for sharing!
I’m pretty good at clearing out my junk every day, but I’ve just gone through Netflix and I’m about to tackle YouTube.
Naomi xo
tralisty.com
Best of luck with it!
I always feel better when I’ve decluttered! You feel like you can breathe again 😂
http://www.yuletimes.com
You really can. I can physically feel it when I need a sort out!
These are great things to declutter. I try to do my emails everyday. But Facebook friends I have done before. It’s so crazy how clear your mind can feel by declutter certain things. I always feel a tidy space is a tidy mind. Thank you for sharing these tips Jenny ❤️Xxx
Totally agree, it really can clear your mind 🙂
My spam comments… they are the worst!
Lola Mia x
Oh no! You should check them though, some important blog emails end up in there 🙂
I definitely need to declutter more stuff in my life especially the things that make me super anxious! Good job I barely go on Facebook! Haha!
Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived
It’ll make you feel better, I promise. I always feel less anxious when my things are in order 🙂
I love clearing out my Facebook friends list! My husband has hundreds of people on there who he never talks to and it drives me mad! Just seeing that huge number makes me stressed!
Oh same! My boyfriend does too and I’m just like why?!
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve never though about digital cluttering before, but it makes sense. My list of ‘Watch Later’ videos on YT is so long I think I’ll go delete some!
Thanks for sharing these tips.
Loren | plaidandsugar.blogspot.com
YouTube is my downfall too! I add so much then never fancy watching it!
I am very bad about the Youtube and Netflix watch lists. So many shows that I’ll never watch haha.
Oh same! Get rid of them!
I am so bad at clearing out spam emails and comments folder on my blog it’s tedious but actually helps to keep on top of
It sure does. You should always check junk though cos some important blog emails end up in there 🙂
This is so clever, definitely something I need to do – it makes so much sense! Great post lovely xx
Em // http://www.emilybecca.com
Thank you 🙂
I’ve started doing a digital declutter recently – deleting emails I didn’t need, storing others in folders, unsubscribing to emails I didn’t want anymore, unfriending people and unliking pages on social media, deleting apps I don’t use etc 👍
That sounds amazing!
Jenny this was so helpful to read. I haven’t thought about clearing out spam comments🤔 certainly will leave me feeling way more organized! Doing this today 😉Thanks for sharing 😁
Natonya | https://justnatonya.wordpress.com
Spam comments build up so quickly and they’re so annoying!
This is a fantastic list! I always forget to edit my Youtube watch list and my Netflix list too! They are so cluttered with videos and programmes or films that I no longer have an interest in watching! I think when we mention ‘decluttering’ we always think about the physical items but it’s important to declutter your online stuff too!
It totally is 🙂 I always forget to take shows off my list that I’ve already watched too!
I tend to always rewatch the same shows on netflix so don’t have a watch list. Same for youtube. however, getting rid of spam and junk emails as well as unused app, that i do often! and it feels good afterwards!
It sure does 🙂
We don’t have Netflix and I don’t watch YouTube but that’s a huge yes to everything else. With the exception of FB, because I am a Norma no-mates on there. A declutter I started today was deleting bookmarked web pages because I have soooooo many and most of them are out of date now! Great tips, Jenny, you are the decluttering queen 🙂 X
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Hahaha, I’ll be your friend on Facebook! Tbh, I need to do another Facebook clear out. I hate most people I have on there haha!
Thanks so much for this Jenny!
I actually really needed to read this today as I keep moaning about how many apps I have and never use so literally after posting this comment I am going to have a sort out!
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
Yay! So glad it came to you at the right time 🙂
This all rings so true for me! I am the worst for having loads of junk emails, although I have gotten better at clearing them out every so often. I also have loads of people I don’t speak to on facebook but can’t seem to convince myself to unfriend them because I’m too nosy haha. I have been unfollowing accounts on twitter and instagram though that either haven’t been active in quite a while or that I don’t really like any more. I also notice that sometimes I follow people who I don’t remember following so I unfollow them too.
Abbie
overpeachchic.com
I totally get the nosy thing. But just think, in a week you’ll have totally forgotten they exist!
Here’s another one: decluttering the laptop! I have files and photos scattered everywhere. It’s a mess.
Good one. My folders never get too cluttered, I always delete everything from my laptop at the end of each year and start fresh 🙂
You should write a post on how you keep your folders organized! I’m the worst with organization…. folders are everywhere, and I have multiples of things I can’t seem to keep track of. That’s a great idea, to delete everything at the end of the year.
great reminder! i believe the more simple we keep all areas of our lives, the happier we will be.
I totally agree 🙂
🙂
I really need to clear out my inbox x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Oh I love a good Facebook declutter! It really puts a spring in my step 😂
Me too! Good riddance haha!
I love having a good declutter on and offline! One thing I think I’m going to do today is sort out/back up photos on my phone… 20 photos of the same plant at the same angle really aren’t needed. x
Hahahah definitely not!
I so need to do this, as well as a physical declutter of clothes, but it’s getting round to it x
Make time for it 🙂 You’ll feel better 🙂
This is so true, i need a kick up the bum x
I do need to go through my YouTube watch list I have over 1000 videos 😓
Blimey!
This is a great list and a list I’m going to get started on today! Thank you so much for sharing🤗💫
You’re welcome 🙂
Wonderful tips Jenny! I really need to clear out my Netflix list and emails. I’m meaning to set aside a few hours this week to do just that 🙂
– Nyxie
http://www.nyxiesnook.com
Hope it helps! 🙂
For once I can say I actually do all of these on a regular basis. I don’t even use the Watch Later feature on YouTube. The others I do either once a week or once a month. To be honest, I’ve done them for a very long time. 🙂
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip || Latest Post
The watch later feature is lethal
This is a great list! I always forget about my YT Watch Later list. I was just decluttering it last week and will need another day to finish it haha I’m currently doing an FB clean out as well hehe
It can really build up can’t it!
This is amazing. I just did a youtube and facebook cleaning yesterday. Never thought about unused apps and games.
Maybe that’s next on the agenda 🙂
What a great post. I smiled as I read de-clutter your You Tube watch list, I just started doing this yesterday.
Yay! Glad to hear it 🙂
There’s so much to be said for a digital detox x
There sure is!
This makes so much sense. Not non physical, but I decluttered recently and it feels awesome.
All types of decluttering feel amazing 🙂
True that 🙂
Can I add one more? Decluttering toxic people in your life, on and off Facebook or any social media. I have done this last year and the quality of my life rose beyond expectations.
The facebook declutter I do probably twice a year.
As always, I really enjoyed your post 🙂
Good point. Although I don’t think it’s always as easy as just “cutting out toxic people” especially if they’re family. I know from experience that I have people with toxic qualities in my life but I can’t just cut them out (and actually wouldn’t want to) 😌 Although on Facebook it’s much easier!
It is definitely not easy. I admit my case was refering to an abusive friend who was also my neighbour so not someone to whom I was tied by blood. But even taking the small steps that are in your power to take to distance yourself from those people could help. 🙂 But yes, it depends a very whole lot on the case.