Welcome to the House of the Mind

Have you ever imagined your brain as a vast, spacious house, perched high on a hill, filled with many different rooms and hidden corners? A grand living room with a crackling fireplace where the day’s events unfold, a vibrant kitchen where fresh ideas and projects simmer, and quiet bathrooms where we take time to care for the exterior. A towering library, its wooden shelves lined with volumes of memories—some crisp and clear, others dusted with time. A large wooden desk and an inviting armchair where we linger, reminiscing about the people we’ve met, the places we’ve seen, and the emotions we’ve felt.

Upstairs, bedrooms preserve the different phases of our lives, each door leading to a space once inhabited, a moment once cherished. At the end of a narrow hallway, adorned with paintings of our past, there is a tiny door. Behind it lies a secret room—the essence of who we truly are. A small laboratory where new versions of ourselves are shaped and brought to life.

At the heart of this grand house, an expansive entrance welcomes the world in, a large stairway standing at its center. Each space within these walls represents a piece of us—some we openly share, others we barely recognize. Many corners remain tucked away in the subconscious, surfacing only in fleeting moments.

Today, I invite you to step inside my house. Let’s gather in the living room, the space where thoughts, emotions, and experiences come together. And in this setting, I want to share a simple yet profound way we can bring calm to our minds: by putting things in order.

This is an act many have overlooked, yet it holds immense power over our well-being. Through the science of the mind, let’s explore how organizing our surroundings isn’t just about tidiness—it’s a way to relax the brain, restore clarity, and reclaim a sense of control in a world that often feels overwhelming.

The Neuroscience of Order: How Organizing Calms the Brain

Our brains are naturally wired to seek patterns and predictability. When we organize our environment—whether it’s tidying up a room, arranging a desk, or structuring a to-do list—it triggers neurological processes that reduce stress and enhance cognitive function. This effect is deeply rooted in the way the brain processes order and disorder.

1. The Prefrontal Cortex and Cognitive Control

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is responsible for executive functions such as planning, decision-making, and focus. When things are disorganized, the PFC works harder to filter out irrelevant stimuli, leading to cognitive overload. Studies using fMRI scans show that clutter competes for neural resources, making it harder to concentrate. By physically organizing our space, we reduce the “mental clutter” and allow the PFC to function more efficiently.

2. The Amygdala and Stress Reduction

Disorder and unpredictability activate the amygdala, the brain’s fear and stress center. When faced with chaotic surroundings, the amygdala interprets it as a potential threat, increasing cortisol (the stress hormone). Organizing objects restores a sense of control, signaling to the amygdala that the environment is safe, which reduces anxiety.

3. Dopamine and the Reward System

The brain’s dopaminergic system is responsible for motivation and reward. Completing small organizing tasks—like straightening up a bookshelf or color-coding files—releases dopamine, creating a sense of satisfaction and reinforcing positive behavior. This is why checking off a to-do list feels so rewarding.

4. Default Mode Network (DMN) and Mental Clarity

The default mode network (DMN), which is active when the brain is at rest, is associated with daydreaming, self-reflection, and creative thinking. When surrounded by disorder, the DMN struggles to operate smoothly. Organizing our space reduces extraneous cognitive noise, allowing the DMN to work more effectively, leading to better introspection and problem-solving.

5. Sensorimotor Regulation and Mindfulness

The act of physically organizing—folding clothes, aligning books, or arranging objects—engages the sensorimotor system. This repetitive, rhythmic movement can induce a meditative state, similar to mindfulness practices. Studies show that such activities activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering heart rate and promoting relaxation.

Conclusion: Ordering as a Form of Mental Hygiene

Just as sleep cleanses the brain of toxins through the glymphatic system, organizing our environment helps declutter mental space, reducing stress and enhancing cognitive efficiency. In a world of constant information overload, engaging in small acts of order isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a neuroscientifically supported way to calm the mind and enhance well-being.