You know that feeling when your brain just... won't shut up?
Not in a productive way.
Not in a "let me sort through this" way. Just - noise.
A loop of worries, half-formed thoughts, things you should've said, things you need to do, things you're probably forgetting, things that don't even matter but somehow won't let go.
It's exhausting.
There's a practice I came across recently that I've been trying when the mental clutter gets too loud.
It's called a brain dump.
but not the kind where you make a to-do list. This is different.
Here's how it works:
Grab a piece of paper (or open a blank doc - whatever feels easiest).
Then write down every single thought your mind is giving you.
Not organized. Not filtered. Not "important thoughts only."
Everything. I'm tired. I need to call mom. Why did I say that thing earlier. I should drink more water. What's for dinner. Am I doing enough. That email. That conversation. That thing I can't stop replaying.
Keep going. Don't stop to edit. Don't judge what comes out. Don't try to solve anything. Just let your mind empty itself onto the page.
The magic happens when you run out.
At first, it feels like the thoughts will never stop.
But if you keep writing, really keep going → eventually, your mind starts to quiet.
Because it's been heard. Not fixed. Not solved. Just witnessed. And on the other side of that release?
Space. Actual, breathable space.
It’s like sharing something that happened to you with your best friend. Venting.
You don't have to do anything with what you wrote.
You don't even have to read it back. This isn't about clarity. It's about release. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your mind isn't to think harder - it's to let it all out so you can finally stop thinking.
Try it.. See what happens.
Even just five minutes might be enough to shift something.
I am really curious to hear about it. Hit reply and let me know if it was helpful (:
Know anyone that would benefit from reading this?