Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the number of things you have to do, unsure where to start? Or maybe you feel like you have so much stuff that you can’t move around without bumping into things? Remember, the more stuff you have, the more you have to clean. Getting organized can be challenging, especially after a long day at work or school. The last thing you want to deal with is a pile of disorganized items. Perhaps your desk is cluttered with papers and other items. You might tell yourself you’ll clean it up soon, but when you get home, you’re often too tired to do more work. So, you ignore the mess and turn on the TV or go on your phone until bedtime. The more disorganized your space, the more cluttered your mind can feel, making it harder to focus and work effectively.

As your environment becomes messier, it’s crucial to act quickly before the clutter overwhelms you. Here are four tips to help you get started with organization and prevent it from getting out of hand:

First, if you struggle to get motivated to start cleaning and organizing, consider watching a video or playing one in the background. Seeing others tackle tasks we know we need to do can make us feel like we’re part of a shared effort. Observing how others clean and organize can help us envision how our own space might look and feel if we were doing the same. Additionally, if you enjoy music, put on your favorite playlist while you clean. This way, you can make the task more enjoyable and productive. You might even listen to an audiobook to make the process more entertaining. Find ways to make cleaning your own and fun.

Second, keeping your space tidy is easier than doing a major clean-up every few months. Develop the habit of returning items to their proper places, whether in the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. Taking those extra minutes to clean up will make you feel better when you return home and find your space looking orderly. The more cluttered a space becomes, the less motivated you’ll feel to clean it up.

Third, dedicate five minutes to tidying up before you go to bed. Five minutes might not seem like much, but you’d be surprised at what you can accomplish in that short time. Often, the hardest part of cleaning and organizing is simply getting started. As Isaac Newton said, an object in motion stays in motion. After those initial five minutes, you’re likely to continue cleaning since you’ve already started. If you feel like stopping after five minutes, do so without guilt. You’ve probably achieved more in those five minutes than you have in weeks. Celebrate your accomplishment, as what gets celebrated gets repeated.

Fourth, if you need to organize your thoughts, try brainstorming and making a to-do list. Write down everything that comes to mind. If you’re struggling to remember everything, use a trigger list, which you can easily find online. This list will help you recall tasks by categorizing them. Once your thoughts are on paper, organize the list by importance so that not everything feels like an emergency. Focus on the most important tasks first and schedule others for later. Make a to-do list either the night before or in the morning to plan your day. Knowing what needs to be done and what can wait will help you take control of your day instead of letting it control you.

Some people love organization, while others dread it. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and we grow by improving our weaknesses. Be patient with yourself and practice these tips. They will help keep your mind and environment less cluttered and more organized. When things are where they’re supposed to be, you’ll feel calmer. We can all use more peace in our life.