cuz it’s not a mess if it’s in a cute lil basket! it’s like a desire path for the home. if you always leave stuff on the kitchen counter or your desk or by the door, find a little tray or box with a lid so you can turn the pile into a neat lil catch-all corner
i like finding containers at thrift shops and discount stores, preferably baskets, sturdy paper boxes, or other materials that will last longer or are easier to recycle than plastic (but plastic is often easier to clean so there’s a trade-off)