Mind Mapping: A Simple Way to Untangle Your Thoughts
Sometimes my brain feels like a web of ideas, emotions, plans, and questions—all overlapping and pulling in different directions. That’s when I turn to mind mapping.
It’s not fancy. It’s not perfect. But it works.
Mind mapping helps me sort through everything in my head and start making sense of it. It’s like taking the mess inside and laying it out where I can actually see what’s going on.
What Is Mind Mapping?
It’s a way to visually organize your thoughts—using words, lines, and branches instead of a long list.
Unlike traditional note-taking, which goes top to bottom, mind mapping starts with one idea in the middle and lets everything else branch out around it. It’s a lot more like how our brains actually work: non-linear, creative, and full of connections.
I’ve used mind mapping for all kinds of things:
Planning projects
Breaking down a goal
Figuring out what I’m feeling
Organizing my week
Even outlining this page
How I Use It
1. Set an intention
I start by deciding what I want clarity on.
Is it a decision I’m struggling with? A goal I want to unpack? A to-do list that feels overwhelming?
2. Start in the center
I write one word or question in the middle of the page. That’s my starting point.
3. Let it branch
From there, I draw lines out to related thoughts, actions, emotions, or questions. I don’t filter—just let it all out.
4. Step back and look
Once it’s all on the page, I look for patterns. Sometimes I color-code or circle things that stand out. It helps me figure out what matters most and what to do next.
Tools I Use
You don’t need anything fancy to start.
Honestly, pen and paper works best when I need to connect with my thoughts more deeply.
But if you like digital tools, these are great too:
