Finding the motivation to tidy up your space can feel impossible when you’re faced with a mountain of dirty dishes, a floor buried under a pile of wrinkly clothes, and clutter everywhere—especially if you’re already overwhelmed. Putting all your crap away isn’t, in fact, an insurmountable task, though , and there’s a therapist-approved trick that can make the mess a lot more manageable.
Maybe your kids’ toys belong in a basket. Your sneakers, which are currently on your doormat, should be on the shoe rack in your closet, and your copy of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is supposed to be on a bookshelf. “Then, make a pile of the things that don’t ,” Davis suggests—which could include things like your partner’s spare earbuds or any new purchases you’ve been meaning to return.