Your Inbox Isn’t Your To-Do List—And Other Boundaries That Help

Posted by

Nicole Tegner

Posted on

Apr 2, 2025

Spring cleaning isn’t just for cluttered closets and overstuffed garages. Our minds need it too. And while we’re all familiar with decluttering our physical spaces, mental spring cleaning is just as crucial—especially when work demands, personal obligations and digital distractions fight for our attention daily.

One of the biggest culprits? Our inboxes.

If you’re treating your inbox like a never-ending to-do list, you’re probably living in a constant state of reaction. Emails roll in, and before you know it, you’ve spent an entire morning responding instead of tackling what actually moves the needle. It’s exhausting, and it blurs the line between what’s urgent and what’s important.

So, how do we set better boundaries for our minds this season? Here are three simple strategies:

1. Stop Treating Your Inbox Like a Task List

Your email is someone else’s agenda, not yours. Instead of letting your inbox dictate your day, schedule set times to check and respond to emails. A morning check-in, a midday review, and an afternoon wrap-up can keep you on top of things without pulling you into an all-day email spiral. Need to follow up on something? Move it to your actual to-do list so you can prioritize accordingly.

2. Create a ‘Mental Clutter Dump’

Too many open tabs in your brain? Try a daily or weekly brain dump. Write down everything that’s swirling around in your head—tasks, ideas, worries, reminders—then categorize and prioritize. Seeing things in front of you helps remove the mental load of constantly trying to remember what’s next.

3. Build Hard Stops into Your Day

Without clear boundaries, work can seep into every open moment of your life. Set a clear stop time for work, even if it’s flexible. Close your laptop, silence notifications, and transition your mind to something else—whether that’s a walk, a book, or dinner with family. Protecting your time isn’t just about productivity; it’s about preserving your mental space for what truly matters.

Spring is the perfect time to reset. Clear the mental clutter, reclaim your focus, and give your mind the same fresh start you’d give your home. Because the cleaner the mental space, the clearer the path forward.