# Clear Your Damn Plate

Source: https://www.theminimalists.com/plate/
Published: 2011-04-28
Updated: 2024-06-26
Author: Joshua Fields Millburn

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I don’t own much, but I have a lot to live for.

And so do you—but you know this already.

[Paring down](https://mnmlist.com/paring) my possessions over the past few years has afforded me more time, more [freedom](https://www.theminimalists.com/freedom/)—and less stress.

That’s why I’m trying a new experiment next month: I’m going to clear my damn plate (a phrase [my mother](https://www.theminimalists.com/dealing/) deployed with vigor) and focus on one thing at a time—I will place only one thing on my empty plate at a time.

There is no physical clutter in my life, but I still get stressed at times—by self-imposed deadlines, by [other people’s expectations](https://inoveryourhead.net/the-complete-guide-to-not-giving-a-fuck/), by my own standards of supposed [accomplishment](https://www.theminimalists.com/accomplishments/), by constant [interruptions](https://www.theminimalists.com/emergencies).

But I am in control, just as you are—we must remember that. This is my life, I am in charge, and I have the [freedom](https://www.bemorewithless.com/2011/let-freedom-ring-with-minimalism/) to do what I want.

So next month I’ll clear my plate, and I’ll do only one thing at a time—all the time. I won’t take my computer with me when I want to read a book, exercise, or visit a friend. I won’t check my phone when I’m eating a meal with someone. I won’t browse email while brushing my teeth.

I’ll [be in the moment](https://www.theminimalists.com/be): If [I’m on Twitter](https://x.com/jfm), I’ll give my full attention to Twitter. If I’m reading a book, I’ll read a book. If I’m writing, I’ll write. If I’m interacting with friends, I’ll interact with friends. I’ll stay focused on the current activity, and I’ll allow no interruptions.

I will live my life [one moment at a time](https://zenhabits.net/how-not-to-multitask-work-simpler-and/).

The moments of our lives merit our full [attention](https://www.theminimalists.com/attention): let’s give our lives the consideration they deserve, and let’s start living more meaningful lives—lives we love.

Care to join me? Want to clear your damn plate for a month?

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