One Monday morning Kent Erhardt gave a teaser about mental clutter and developing a let-it-go list…more at 9 am. I wasn’t going to be able to watch at 9 am (work) so I googled "what’s a let-it-go list"? A let-it go-list is a personal mental wellness tool to help people get rid of mental and emotional burdens that are causing stress and anxiety. The list is used to help you distinguish between genuine concern and unnecessary mental noise and then consciously deciding to let go of things you’re holding onto out of habit or guilt.
The philosophy of let it go is about reality and facing facts. We don’t have the power to change most circumstances or fix other people; thinking we can, creates stress and anxiety.
To start a let-it-go list:
- Write down everything on your mind
- Include both big and small concerns, be detailed and honest
- Don’t filter or judge your thoughts. Recognize all mental clutter carries emotional weight.
After you have your list
- Identify everything you have no control over – weather – a storm may happen but there’s nothing you can about it.
- Identify things other people can do. Delegate – at home this means asking family for help with chores and errands – no one can read your mind.
- Identify things that drain your energy – projects or people. Realize you may need to set limits on some relationships.
- Identify things that don’t have to get done, maybe don’t ever need to be done.
Identifying the things you cannot control helps reduce mental clutter which alleviates stress and anxiety giving you more energy for the things that bring you joy and peace.
Give it a try, but note it may take a time or 3 to let something go!
Here's a Let It Go List to use to help you organize your thoughts.