How To Do A Brain Dump
Have you ever tried to work, but your brain feels cluttered? You are easily distracted, and it is hard to focus on the task at hand? Learning how to do a brain dump has helped me get things done.
One of the problems of being a working homeschool mom is that there is so much to keep track of, from work schedules to kids’ activities, to chores, to meals….the list never ends.
This results in a lot of mental clutter. When my brain is holding that much stuff, I feel unfocused, as if I am sitting there spinning my wheels instead of actually getting to work.
One of the best ways to ditch this mental clutter is to do a brain dump!
Let me share with you how to do a brain dump, how to organize a brain dump and when are the best times to do a brain dump.
Before we begin, let’s discuss what a brain dump is.
What Is A Brain Dump?
A brain dump is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a simple technique to help you declutter your mind and thoughts.
I always picture a garbage truck dumping out the trash. Ha!
You take a pen and paper or digital program and “dump out” all the clutter from your brain. Get it out of your head and onto paper.
This includes everything you think about, such as kids, health, work, homeschool, meal planning, chores, worries, fears, hopes, and dreams, and pulling them out of your brain. Whew!
Why You Need To Do A Brain Dump
A brain dump is a key to finding flexibility in your life because it helps you declutter your mind and allows you to focus on important things.
You take all the mental clutter that keeps you running in circles and not accomplishing anything and organize it!
Keep the tasks and information you need and discard the rest.
Simple but effective.
The Best Times To Do A Brain Dump
The best time to do a brain dump is when you feel like everything is out of control or your mind can’t shut off at night.
My best advice is to do it whenever you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or drowning in the lists and tasks running through your mind.
Sometimes if I am stuck on a project or some personal problem, a brain dump will help me “see” all the trains of thought and organize them.
Confession: I mostly use a brain dump to shut off my brain at night, so I can sleep! I’ll slide quietly out of bed, so my husband doesn’t wake up, do a quick brain dump and set it aside for the morning.
Brain Dump Tools
While you do need a few things, you really don’t need anything special to do a brain dump. Use what you have on hand.
You’ll need:
- Something to write on a journal or notebook or a sheet of paper
- Something to write with like a pen or pencil
- Highlighters or pens of different colors
- A timer
You can also use a digital or online tool of your choice.
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Got everything? Okay!
Tools I use as shown above:
- Notes section from the Working Homeschool Mom Planner
- Sharpie Highlighters
- Maped Graph’Peps Pens
- A timer on my tablet
SHARPIE S-Note Duo Dual-Ended Creative Marker Set, Part Highlighter Marker, Part Art Marker, Assorted Colors, Fine and Chisel Tip Marker, Includes Stand-up Easel, 16 Count
SHARPIE Pocket Highlighters, Narrow Chisel Tip, 12 Assorted Fashion Colors, 36 CountMaped Graph’Peps Classic 0.4mm Fine Tip Pens – Art & Writing – Bright Colors & Ergonomic Design – Pack of 10Maped – Graph’Peps Fine Tipped 0.4mm Fine Line Triangular Felt Pens – 20 Pack – Vibrant Colors
How To Do A Brain Dump
Now that you know what a brain dump is and what tools you need, let’s break down how to do a brain dump.
- Step 1. Grab your tools and set a timer for at least 10-15 minutes.
When I do my regular “oh my word, I’m so stressed” brain dumps, I use a timer. When I am brain dumping in the middle of the night, I skip the timer.
- Step 2. Now write.
Open a notebook or open a Google doc–whatever works for you and just start scribbling or typing away for 15 to 20 minutes.
Don’t think about what you are writing. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or whatever. As long as you can read it back and you can understand what you’ve written, then you are good! Just get the ideas out of your head.
Write it all down.
You’d be amazed at how much more clear-headed you’ll feel afterward. And if you can’t do 15 to 20 minutes, try 5 to start.
If you can’t think of what to write, just start scribbling.
^actual photo of my doodles until my brain kicked in!
Don’t think about what’s coming out; just let the words flow.
- Step 3. Done? Okay. Take a break. If I jump right into the next stage, it just makes me more stressed.
I like to stretch my legs with a quick walk around the yard or office. Grab a drink of water or coffee and shake it off.
What To Write In Your Brain Dump
There is no limit to what you can put in your brain dump. You are taking the clutter out of your brain and venting it on paper.
However, maybe a few ideas will help you get started.
Brain Dump Examples:
- Thoughts
- Feelings
- Fears
- Hopes
- Dreams
- Goals
- Grocery lists
- Project lists
- Homeschool resources
- Library books
- Art supplies
- Movies to watch
- Books to read
- Websites to visit
You can write down whatever comes to mind. There is no “wrong way” to do this.
How To Organize Your Brain Dump
At this point, you should have a great disorganized page of scribble. I’m always amazed at how much clutter I have in my brain!
Now that you know how to do a brain dump, we will take it one step further. We are going to organize your brain dump notes.
To do this, take your notes and organize them into categories for your life. Usually, you’ll come up with about six or so categories, but this will be different for each person.
My life is a little complicated, but I use these categories:
- Work at home
- Office tasks
- Home
- Homeschool
- Self-care
- Errands
Just to name a few.
Now choose a highlighter color for each category. For example, blue is for work at home, orange is for homeschooling tasks, green is for office work, and red is for meal planning.
Next, go through the jumbled list with one highlighter and circle all of the tasks, words, and statements that belong in the category.
Repeat until everything is circled in the right color.
Prioritize Your Brain Dump
Remember, the goal of doing a brain dump is to help you beat back the overwhelm and find more flexibility in your life.
To have flexibility, you need to know what needs to be done and do it first.
In order to do that, we need to set our priorities:
- Start with tasks with a deadline and add them to your simple schedule.
- Next, look for tasks that can be done right away for quick wins. What phone call do you need to make? The email do you need to write? Start that load of laundry.
- Next, for tasks you can’t do today (groceries, errands, etc.) but need to be done, add them to your schedule where they fit or make sense.
Lastly, add your priorities to your simple schedule.
Simple is key! Do you need help creating your own simple schedule? I have a free email challenge to help you out. Learn more here.
An emotional release happens when you cross things off your to-do list. Once you make that mark you can let it go.
The very act of clearing your mental clutter – brain dumping- is amazing but unless you take the time to figure out what needs to be done and then take action, you’ll find yourself right back where you started!
How To Schedule Brain Dumps?
Any time you feel overwhelmed, stressed out, or spinning your wheels a brain dump can help!
Doing a brain dump can help you avoid burning out because it helps you find flexibility by clearing your mental clutter.
Once you do that, you can focus on what is really important.
Because I am a schedule nut, I like to schedule regular brain dumping sessions.
Weekly Brain Dumping Sessions:
On Sunday nights I have planning sessions with my daughter. Before we begin I will do a brain dump to clear out my mind.
It only takes a few minutes to write down everything you need, want, and hope to get done over the next seven days.
Then, I take those notes and organize those tasks in my planner.
Monthly Brain Dumping Sessions:
I like to combine brain dumping with a reflecting exercise on the last day of the month or the first day of a new month.
I ask these five questions:
- What went right?
- What went wrong?
- What did I learn?
- What changes do I need to make?
Then I will use a brain dump to see if any solutions or other problems are on my mind.
Unscheduled Brain Dumping Sessions:
Remember, brain dumping is great for releasing stress and getting focused. Or decluttering the junk out of your brain so you can deal with it later.
There is no perfect time to do a brain dump.
As you get into the routine of brain dumping, you may start to see triggers in your life where a brain dump would help you out.
When you start a new homeschool year, a new job, a new routine, or when life seems too overwhelming.
The great thing about a brain-dumping session is you can do them anywhere!
Even in the car while waiting for the kids at an activity. Or waiting at the office for an appointment.
How To Do A Brain Dump & Get Things Done
It is hard to find flexibility as a working mom who is homeschooling her kids. There is so much on our plates.
Learning how to do a brain dump can help us see everything on our minds visually.
Then organizing our notes helps us to make important choices and identify our priorities. Don’t skip this vital step!
Next, create your simple schedule. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Have you learned how to do a brain dump? Do you do them regularly? Let me know in the comments below!
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Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
