What I did: re-evaluate the "messy thing" to be "normal" or not-messy. I can understand where the idea that clutter is exhausting and confusing might come from; but if you don't do more than barely "see" it without identifying it or trying to add it to a list of "incomplete things" in your head; then its not really distracting. its about as distracting as the colour of the walls or the feel of your clothing...