Hey friends 👋 Ever had one of those weeks where your mind feels like 37 browser tabs are open—and half of them are frozen? 😵‍💫 That was me last month. I was juggling deadlines, team messages, personal stuff… and I just snapped.

Not outwardly, but inside, I felt burnt out and super stuck. So I made a promise to myself: Declutter your emotions like you declutter your closet. And honestly? It helped more than I expected. Today, I want to share with you how I practice "emotional decluttering" when work stress hits hard. Let's chat 💬

🧹 Step 1: Name what you're feeling

The first thing I do is pause and ask: What exactly am I feeling? Not just "bad" or "stressed," but specifics like: "I feel anxious because of that meeting," or "I feel invisible after my idea got ignored." Naming it helps me stop spinning in vague emotions.

🗂️ Step 2: Sort what's yours—and what's not

This one changed the game for me. I started asking: Is this my emotion, or am I absorbing someone else's stress? A co-worker's bad mood isn't mine to carry. When I realize that, I mentally "return" that emotional weight like I'm handing back a bag I never meant to hold.

📵 Step 3: Put emotional clutter in "Do Not Disturb" mode

During intense work hours, I've learned to create mental boundaries. I tell myself: This feeling can wait. It's like putting a messy thought on a shelf until I can deal with it properly. I also block 10 minutes after work just to sit, breathe, and unpack that shelf.

🧘 Step 4: Create tiny exit doors

Emotional clutter piles up when there's no escape. I've started building "tiny exits" into my day—like a walk, 5-minute journal, or even just closing Slack and playing lo-fi music while I sip tea. These micro-moments help me reset without needing a full-on vacation.

🗑️ Step 5: Let go without guilt

Not every problem needs fixing. Sometimes, I write down what's bothering me—and then delete it. No solving. Just releasing. It's like Marie Kondo-ing my emotional inbox. Some feelings don't "spark joy," and that's reason enough to let them go.

🎯 Step 6: Refill with the good stuff

After releasing the stress, I make space for things that ground me—gratitude lists, music I love, messages from friends, or just watching the sky change colors in the evening. Decluttering isn't just about tossing out—it's about making room for peace too 🌤️

🤝 Let's support each other

If you've been feeling stuck, heavy, or tense lately—I see you. You're not alone. 🫶

Let's be real: work isn't always going to slow down. But how we handle the mental mess? That's in our hands.

Have you ever tried "emotional decluttering"? What's your go-to method for clearing your head? Share below—I'd love to learn from you 💬✨