Take a moment to look around your room.

Are there items in your surroundings that are out of place? Are there scattered belongings that need to be tidied up? If so, how long have all these possessions been sitting there waiting to be cleared up?

No matter how diligent we are clutter seems to inevitably fill our lives. How we react to it and eventually address can be challenging. Nonetheless, are there ways to more successfully clear clutter by understanding how we interact with it?

Kat Brancato at the website Real Simple believes that each of us has a clutter personality. Understanding how each type acclimates to that clutter is a key to clearing it out. In her recent article, Kat explains six different clutter personalities, and how each one needs its own approach their mess to resolve.

Organizing methods are like diets—what works for one person may not work for you. Diane N. Quintana, certified professional organizer and founder of DNQ Solutions, LLC, says that organizing anything is a very personal journey.

“Each one of us is unique, so while there are organizing tendencies, you may find that parts of one or more of the organizing personalities resonate with you,” she informs.

Kat then explores the clutter personalities, starting with the “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” type.

Do you tend to keep your counters riddled with items so you know where they are? Quintana says that the “out of sight, out of mind” personality likes to see what they have. “If something is stored away, it may as well not exist,” she says. “These individuals leave things out to remember them, which often leads to cluttered countertops, desks, or floors. It also results in things being misplaced or lost amongst the clutter.”

Since this personality type needs visual reminders, Quintana suggests using clear containers, labeled baskets, or open shelving to keep important items visible and tidy. “A photo inventory of contents attached to the outside of the clear containers can also be helpful,” she adds.

To read about the remaining five types, please read the rest of her article.