In this scary time, keeping your spaces clean and organized is a great way to minimize stress and boost productivity. Here are some tips on how to get your space clean and life organized for the last quarter.

1. Take it one step at a time—

Deep cleaning can be overwhelming. Write a to-do list on what you want to accomplish and go from there.

2. Turn on something to listen to—

Listening to music or a podcast is a great way to get motivated to clean. Music can help the brain stay focused on specific tasks and can make the whole process more enjoyable.

3. Three bin method—

A common process when organizing and cleaning is the Three-Bin method. You will need three boxes or trash bags, one for donations, one for trash, and the final for storage. Next, pick an area to focus on. Repeat the process until room is decluttered.

4. Closet clean-out—

Although tedious, going through your closet and drawers is an important step to the spring-cleaning process. Start by taking every piece of clothing out of your closet. Next, hold each piece up and ask three simple questions: Does this fit me? Will I wear this in the next two months? Is this clothing piece important in any way? These questions will help determine what to keep and what to give away.

5. Keep it short—

Setting a time frame for cleaning is another trick used when decluttering and cleaning. Allotting a certain amount of time to cleaning will help you to stay focused and as productive as possible. Try setting alarms for each task to keep you accountable.

6. Clean out your backpack—

With the last quarter upon Riverview, emptying out your backpack can help lighten the load and set you up for an organized final quarter.