These days the world seems to close in from all directions. Gone are the days of long, slow, winter evenings. If you are like me, the result has been a feeling of there never being enough time to get done those things that make my life feel simpler and look more organized.

But there is help. Listed below are some quick things to do to simplify and organize. If you do three things (15 minutes only!) in a day, you’ve simplified and accomplished at least three things.

20 things you can do in five minutes

1. Make a doctor’s appointment
2. Gather library books to be returned
3. Gather dry cleaning and put it near the door
4. Fold a load of towels
5. Straighten a desk
6. Pay 5 bills online or 3 bills by hand
7. Vacuum one room, or a hall and a room
8. Clean the litter box
9. Find the next day’s weather report and start planning
10. Apply lotion to your hands and legs
11. Spritz the house with a favorite fragrance for an aromatherapy lift
12. Unload at least one rack of the dishwasher
13. Empty 3 waste baskets into a larger garbage bag
14. Wrap one present
15. Make a pot of coffee or a cup of tea
16. Clean the microwave
17. Stack a week’s worth of newspapers in a recycle bin
18. Check the supply of paper products in the house for the next shopping trip
19. Start a load of laundry, or transfer laundry from washer to dryer
20. Sit down and listen to your favorite piece of music with your eyes closed