Quiet the Chaos: How a Braindump Can Bring Calm to a Busy Mind
Fall always feels like a reset button. Even if you're not sharpening pencils or packing lunches, there’s something about this season that invites order after the freedom and frenzy of summer. It’s a natural time to get organized, take stock, and start fresh. But for many of us (especially those with neurodivergent minds or a tendency toward overcommitment) the idea of "getting organized" can feel like another overwhelming task on an already overloaded list.
That’s why I’m sharing a simple tool called the Braindump, Not because I’m especially tidy or color-coded by nature, but because I needed a way to survive the mental clutter when life got too loud.
What Is a Braindump?
A Braindump is exactly what it sounds like: a chance to dump every thought, task, or swirling worry onto paper so your brain can finally take a breath. It’s not about making a perfect to-do list or organizing by priority (yet). It’s just a raw release of everything your brain is holding onto.
You don’t need a fancy template (though I’ve made one for you!)—just a quiet moment, a pen, and the willingness to pour it all out.
Why It Works: Especially for Neurodivergent Thinkers
For those with ADHD, anxiety, or other neurodivergent processing styles, the mental "tabs" never seem to close. You’re thinking about the email you didn’t send, the laundry you forgot, the project that’s due in two weeks, and the conversation you replayed from yesterday… all at once.
A Braindump meets your brain where it is, busy, layered, and fast! And says: Let’s get all of this out of your head and onto something solid.
This technique helps:
Reduce mental overload and anxiety
Make space for clearer thinking and problem-solving
Offer a non-judgmental space to just “be” with your thoughts
Gently transition from chaos to clarity
It’s a simple yet powerful first step before planning, prioritizing, or even deciding what needs to be done at all.
But You Don’t Have to Be Neurodivergent to Need It
Truthfully? Most people’s minds are pretty noisy right now. Whether you're juggling roles at work and home, or just feeling the weight of “too much,” a Braindump can become a lifeline. It’s one of the fastest ways I know to stop spiraling and start moving forward.
How to Do a Braindump
Find a quiet moment. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes. Eliminate distractions if you can.
Write down everything. Tasks, thoughts, worries, reminders, dreams, ideas. Nothing is too small or too weird.
Don’t organize—just release. This isn’t a to-do list yet. It’s a brain release.
Take a breath. When the timer goes off, step away for a moment. Celebrate the space you just created.
Return and sort, if you want. Later, you can decide what’s urgent, what’s important, and what can wait.
A Back-to-School Energy for All of Us
You don’t have to be a student to get that fresh start feeling. Fall is a great time to reset routines, clear mental clutter, and prepare for the season ahead.
So if your mind feels full and you don’t know where to begin—don’t. Just sit down. Braindump it all. I promise you’ll feel lighter, clearer, and more grounded on the other side.