It’s never too late for a decluttering session. Maybe you’ve decided that this week is prime time for finally tackling that ominous pile of laundry that’s doubled as a second closet (no judgment; I’ve got one too), but what about your brain? If you feel like your mind is starting to resemble your junk drawer — full of disjointed thoughts, an overwhelming amount of negative self-talk, and stuffed to the brim with a never-ending list of to-dos — it might be time for a mental reset.
Start your mental reset right with these seven nonfiction books. These reads are here to help you reclaim your focus on what matters most to you, clear up any mental cobwebs looming in your headspace, and recenter your peace in an overstimulating world. Go on, tidy up your thoughts. Future you will thank you.
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
Thanks to the internet and free Wi-Fi at just about every coffee shop, we should be more connected than ever before, right? Wrong. Nowadays, it can feel like our screens command our undivided attention. Even the mere “ping” of a notification is enough to derail and disrupt an entire conversation. In Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport presents a compelling and timely case for taking a step back from our screens and reclaiming our lives from the endless stream of DMs, notifications, and doomscrolls we’re faced with on the daily.
Don’t fret: Newport’s not asking you to completely cut the cord and toss your phone in the ocean. Instead, he’s simply asking us to rethink how we engage with social media, and to keep our digital lives from overtaking our “real” lives. With practical strategies and real-life stories, this book will help you unplug with ease, re-prioritize your digital habits, and remind you of how good it feels to be fully present.
The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World by Christina Crook
Goodbye, FOMO. Hello, JOMO — the Joy Of Missing Out. In this thoughtful and enriching read, Christina Crook describes her experience of giving up the internet for 31 days and the powerful insights that we can all learn from. She discusses how our need to be constantly connected is actually draining us — both mentally and physically — and how implementing intentional breaks from our devices is the first step in building a more present and meaningful life.
Crook’s expert blend of cultural commentary and personal insights from her month offline will show you how choosing quiet over noise, and peace over never-ending scrolls, can ultimately improve your mental well-being. Consider The Joy of Missing Out, your reason to mute all notifications, take a much-needed breather, and touch grass for a moment (or two).
The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have with People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do by Sarah Knight
Feeling overwhelmed, overcommitted, or, frankly, just over it? How about all of the above? If so, Sarah Knight’s The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck is the book for you. Knight is here to not only declutter your emotional energy, but your calendar, relationships, and of course, your soul. She is to mental decluttering what Marie Kondo is to physical decluttering.
With Knight’s bold, irreverent humour and easy-to-implement, two-step “Not Sorry Method,” this read will teach you how to stop saying “yes” to things that will drain you, and start saying “no” to feeling guilty for protecting your peace. Rest assured, this self-betterment book will make you laugh out loud and reevaluate your life choices, all in one sitting.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
If your to-do list is getting as long as War & Peace, and feeling burnt out is an everyday occurrence, then Essentialism is the book for you. Allow Greg McKeown to introduce you to his philosophy of Essentialism: a way of doing less, but accomplishing more. Described as a “systematic discipline,” Essentialism is all about deciphering what is absolutely essential in your current moment and eliminating everything that is not. In doing so, you will be giving yourself the much-needed grace to refocus your attention on what really matters.
Once you’ve identified what is truly essential to you, McKeown’s tools will help you rise above the noise, reclaim your time, and refresh your headspace. Remember: less is more!
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Have you ever vowed to reevaluate and re-prioritize your life on a Sunday evening, but burned yourself out by Tuesday afternoon? Us, too. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been there in some way or another. However, if you’re looking to prevent future “crashouts” of this sort and are ready for a long-overdue routine overhaul, then consider Atomic Habits your brand-new blueprint. In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains how making small yet consistent changes in your day-to-day routine will lead to the formation of good habits.
With Clear’s science-backed, easy-to-understand guide to implementing good habits and actionable tips on keeping them in place, Atomic Habits will turn habit-building into a realistic yet fun process.
Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts with Your Thinking by Michael Hyatt & Meagan Hyatt Miller
Our thoughts are more powerful than we think, and when we unconsciously give the wrong thoughts too much power, the results are not pleasant. In this father-daughter collaboration, Michael Hyatt and Meagan Hyatt Miller explore how the false beliefs we tell ourselves about ourselves — about our professional and personal goals, our self-worth, and our limitations — are directly interfering with reaching our fullest potential.
Backed by modern insights from performance psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and case studies, Hyatt and Miller present meaningful tools that will help you challenge that next negative thought spiral, rewrite your own internal narrative, and readjust your mindset for good.
Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness by Gretchen Rubin
Sometimes the only way to find mental clarity is through maintaining physical clarity. If you’re finding your thoughts starting to pile up as the clutter in your home is, then Outer Order, Inner Calm should be next on your TBR. More than a how-to-book on decluttering, Gretchen Rubin’s blend of wit and wisdom will show you how clearing through our physical clutter will make room for much-needed mental space.
Through a mixture of easy-to-manage tips and relatable, human reflections from Rubin herself, Outer Order, Inner Calm will make you feel that inner calm is within your reach — and it all starts with a deep clean. Be sure to prepare yourself for lighter shelves and brighter days.
These books prove that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to tidying your headspace, rejuvenating your mindset, and finding your inner calm. Regardless of whichever book you turn the page on, these self-care tips, tricks, and tools will be sure to keep your mind clear for a long time.
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