How to Stop Overthinking and Find Clarity with One Simple Practice
Struggling with mental overload? Your brain isn’t meant to hold everything—journaling helps you offload stress, gain clarity, and feel more in control.
Have you ever found yourself replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, or mentally running through endless to-do lists? Overthinking is exhausting. It keeps you stuck in a loop, drains your energy, and makes even small decisions feel overwhelming.
The truth is, your brain wasn’t designed to hold onto everything at once. When you try to keep all your thoughts, worries, and mental clutter in your head, it’s no wonder you feel scattered and stressed.
The good news? There’s a simple, powerful way to break free from overthinking and regain clarity... journaling. And no, it’s not about writing pages of deep reflections or perfectly structured entries. It’s about using journaling as a tool to offload, process, and finally give your mind the space it needs to breathe.
You Know That Feeling…
You know that feeling when you have 50 things running through your head, and just as you start one thing, you remember another? And then another? And suddenly, you’re standing in the kitchen, forgetting why you even walked in there?
Your brain is constantly cycling through tasks, worries, and reminders, trying to hold onto everything at once. It’s exhausting.
For the longest time, I thought this was just life. I figured feeling scattered, overwhelmed, and mentally drained was part of being a responsible adult. I thought I just needed to be more organised, more disciplined, more ‘on top of things.’
But the truth? I wasn’t just busy. My brain was OVERLOADED. And no amount of scheduling, mental lists, or ‘trying harder’ was going to fix it.
When I finally started journaling... not as a structured habit, not as something I had to be consistent with, but simply as a way to GET THINGS OUT… it was like someone let the pressure valve loose in my head.
I didn’t realise how much I was carrying until I put it down on paper. Thoughts that felt tangled in my head became clear. Worries that kept circling in my brain suddenly lost their grip.
Journaling wasn’t another thing to ‘keep up with.’ It became my escape hatch from mental overload.
And it can be that for you too.
Why Your Brain Feels Overloaded
Your brain is designed to process information, not store it all. It’s great at making decisions, problem-solving, and creating ideas… but when you try to hold onto everything at once, it gets overwhelmed. Think of your brain like a web browser with too many tabs open. Each tab represents a task, a worry, or a reminder, and when you have too many running at once, everything slows down.
The more you try to juggle in your head, the harder it becomes to focus. You start forgetting things… not because you’re careless, but because your brain is overloaded. You feel exhausted, not because you’re lazy, but because mental clutter drains your energy. You find yourself snapping over small things, not because you’re an impatient person, but because your mind is constantly stretched to its limit.
This is why you wake up already feeling behind, why you struggle to finish one thing before your brain jumps to another, and why you lie awake at night thinking about everything you didn’t do. Your mind never truly gets a break because it’s carrying too much at once.
The worst part? We convince ourselves this is normal. We think I just need to get more organized. I just need to try harder. I just need to keep up. But the truth is, your brain isn’t failing you. It’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do… it’s just overloaded with more than it was ever meant to handle.
This is where journaling changes everything. By getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper, you’re giving your brain permission to let go. You don’t have to keep cycling through reminders because they’re written down. You don’t have to hold onto worries because they have a place outside of your mind. You don’t have to stay stuck in overthinking because journaling gives your thoughts structure and clarity.
So, let me ask you… what’s one thing you CONSTANTLY have running through your mind that you wish you could offload? Imagine how freeing it would feel to put it down on paper and finally let it go.
How Journaling Eases the Mental Load
Journaling isn’t just about putting words on paper… it’s about creating space in your mind. When your brain feels cluttered, overwhelmed, and stretched too thin, journaling gives it a much-needed reset.
Journaling Clears Up ‘Mental RAM’
Think of your brain like your phone. When too many apps are open at once, everything slows down. Your brain works the same way. The more thoughts, worries, and tasks you try to keep running in the background, the harder it becomes to focus and function effectively. Journaling helps offload this mental clutter, closing out the unnecessary ‘apps’ so your brain can work better.
Journaling Is a Pressure Release
Have you ever had a problem circling in your head, playing on repeat, but once you talked about it or wrote it down, it suddenly felt smaller? That’s because your brain wasn’t designed to hold onto everything… it needs an outlet. Journaling helps stop those thought loops by giving them a place to land. The best part is you don’t need to fix or solve everything immediately… you just need to get it out.
Journaling Helps You Think More Clearly
When your thoughts are jumbled up in your head, everything feels bigger and more chaotic than it actually is. Journaling gives your thoughts space to breathe. It helps you see things from a new perspective, make better decisions, and process emotions in a way that feels manageable rather than overwhelming. When you journal, your brain stops working overtime trying to sort through everything… it finally has clarity.
Journaling Helps You Prioritise What Matters
When your mind is cluttered, it’s hard to see what’s actually important. Journaling helps you separate what truly needs your attention from what’s just noise. By writing things down, you create space to identify your real priorities rather than reacting to everything at once.
Journaling Reduces Anxiety and Boosts Mental Well-Being
When your thoughts are stuck in your head, they can feel overwhelming. Writing them down helps you process emotions, recognise patterns, and gain perspective. Studies show that journaling reduces stress and promotes emotional resilience, giving you a greater sense of control over your thoughts and feelings.
Journaling isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about writing daily or having beautifully structured pages. It’s about giving your mind the break it desperately needs. Even a few minutes of journaling can make you feel lighter, clearer, and more in control.
So if your mind feels like it’s constantly spinning, give it an exit. Put your thoughts on paper. Let your brain breathe. You’ll be amazed at how much clarity and relief journaling can bring.
Why Journaling Is for YOU… Not Just ‘Other People’
Maybe you’ve told yourself, Journaling isn’t for me. Maybe you’ve thought, I’m not a writer. Or maybe you’ve tried before and felt like you were doing it wrong.
Here’s the thing… journaling isn’t about being a writer. It’s not about having perfect penmanship or filling pages with deep, poetic thoughts. It’s simply about getting things out of your head so your mind can breathe.
You don’t have to journal every day for it to work. Even journaling once in a while when your brain feels too full can make a difference. One simple brain dump can bring clarity, lighten your mental load, and help you feel more in control.
Journaling also doesn’t have to take up much time. You can jot down a few sentences, list your worries, or scribble thoughts in a messy notebook. The goal isn’t perfection… it’s relief.
Think about how often you vent to a friend or let out a sigh of frustration. That’s your mind begging for an outlet. Journaling does the same thing, but in a way that’s completely judgment-free and always available.
And most importantly, there’s no ‘right way’ to journal. Some people write long entries, others jot down lists, and some just scribble random words. It doesn’t matter how you do it… what matters is that it helps you feel lighter, clearer, and less overwhelmed.
Still not convinced? Consider this: If your computer’s storage were full, you’d delete unnecessary files to free up space. Your brain works the same way. Offloading thoughts onto paper clears up mental space, making room for focus, creativity, and peace of mind.
So, if you’ve ever thought Journaling isn’t for me, I challenge you to see it differently. It’s not about ‘being a journaler.’ It’s about finally giving your brain the break it deserves. The question is… are you willing to give it a try??
How to Get Started Without Overthinking It
If you’re new to journaling or have struggled to be consistent, the key is to make it simple and pressure-free. Here’s how:
1. Do a Brain Dump
Set a timer for three minutes. Write down everything on your mind… no structure, no rules. Just let it spill onto the page. You might be surprised at how much lighter you feel afterwards.
2. Try a ‘Thought Release’ List
Before bed, take a moment to write down anything lingering in your mind. This tells your brain: You don’t have to hold this anymore… I’ve got it covered. You’ll sleep better knowing your thoughts have a place to go.
3. Give Yourself Permission to Make It YOURS
Journaling doesn’t have to be structured or look a certain way. Some people love detailed entries, while others just need a space to unload thoughts. There’s no right or wrong way… just relief.
4. Start Small and Keep It Simple
You don’t have to write pages every time. A single sentence, a quick note, or even a bullet list can be enough to free up space in your mind. The key is consistency without pressure.
Journaling is a tool, not a task. Use it when you need it, and let it work for you.
Your brain wasn’t designed to hold everything… you NEED a way to offload. Journaling isn’t about perfection or consistency… it’s about relief. Even just a few minutes of journaling can make you feel lighter, clearer, and more in control.
The beauty of journaling is that it’s always there when you need it. No pressure, no rules… just a safe space for your thoughts. Whether you journal once a day, once a week, or only when your mind feels too full, it’s a tool that can work for you on your terms.
So tell me… what’s ONE thing you’re taking away from this today? Hit reply and tell me… I’d love to hear from you!
If you’re looking for more ways to gain clarity on your purpose beyond motherhood, come hang out with me on Instagram! I share more insights, tips, and encouragement to help you reconnect with yourself and create a life that feels truly aligned.
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