Sorting Socks, Sorting Beliefs: A Closet Cleanse for Your Mind

Ever look at your sock drawer and think, “How did this get so messy?” Mismatched pairs, holey favorites, ones that just don’t fit anymore. Sorting it out feels good—lighter, clearer.

Now imagine doing the same with your beliefs.

Just like socks, beliefs get handed down, outgrown, or worn thin. Let’s clean out the mental clutter and make room for thoughts that actually fit your life today.

Step 1: Dump the Drawer

List out beliefs you’ve been carrying—about yourself, others, the world. “I’m not good at speaking up.” “People can’t be trusted.” "My kids should listen to me more." No judgment—just get them all out. You may want to take a few days to do this so you can notice them as they come up.

Step 2: Whose Sock Is This?

Many beliefs aren’t even yours. They came from parents, teachers, or culture. Ask, “Do I really believe this—or did I just pick it up?” If it doesn’t feel like you, let it go.

Step 3: Try It On

Ask: “Does this belief still support me?” If it feels tight, outdated, or just wrong, it’s time to toss it. If it uplifts or empowers you, keep it!

Step 4: Patch or Replace

Some beliefs just need a tweak. Change “I’m terrible at public speaking” to “I’m learning to speak with confidence.” And for the toxic ones? Out they go—replace them with something better.

Step 5: Keep It Fresh

Write down new beliefs that reflect your current self:

• “I grow from challenges.”
• “I am worthy of love and success.”
• "The world is out to do me good."
• "Challenges are an opportunity to learn."

Keep them where you’ll see them often.

What’s one belief you’re ready to let go of today? And what will you replace it with?

Let the mental cleanout begin - you deserve beliefs that serve you and fit just right.

To browse past positivity tips, visit this page.

Tina Hallis, Ph.D., is a thought-shifter! She is a professional speaker and founder of The Positive Edge, a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations increase their positivity to improve the quality of people’s work lives and the quality of company cultures.