Some days, cleaning feels like the hardest thing in the world. The clutter builds up, and you just don’t have the motivation to start. If you have ADHD or simply feel overwhelmed, cleaning can feel like an impossible task. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. There are simple tricks and strategies that can help you clean your house even when you really don’t feel like cleaning.
Here are 10 easy steps to help you get started when you just can’t find the motivation.
1. Start Small When You Don’t Feel Like Cleaning
When you don’t feel like cleaning, the first step is to start small. Don’t focus on the whole house. Instead, pick one tiny task, like picking up clothes from the floor or wiping down the kitchen counters.
Set a timer for five minutes. Tell yourself that all you have to do is clean for those five minutes. By keeping your starting point small, it becomes much easier to take the first step. Often, you’ll find that once you start, you’ll feel motivated to keep going.
2. Focus on the Most Visible Mess
If you’re struggling to clean, focus on the most visible areas. These spaces tend to have the most impact. Walking into a clean living room or kitchen will give you a quick sense of accomplishment.
Pick one or two high-traffic areas, like the living room, entryway, or kitchen. Focus on clearing away visible clutter. You’ll be amazed at how much better your home looks after just a few small tasks.
3. Play the 100 Item Pick-Up Game When You Don’t Feel Like Cleaning
One of my favorite strategies when I don’t feel like cleaning is the 100 Item Pick-Up game. Here’s how it works: every item you touch counts as one. Whether you’re throwing something away or putting it in its place, it counts.
The goal is to reach 100 items. It sounds like a lot, but you’d be surprised how quickly it adds up. Once you reach 100 items, your house will already look much better. On tough days, I’ll push myself to do 150 items, and the progress always motivates me to keep going.
4. Break Your Home Into Zones
When you don’t feel like cleaning, breaking your house into zones can make the process easier. Divide your home into small, manageable sections. Focus on one zone at a time.
For example, start with the living room. Once it’s clean, move on to the bathroom. By focusing on one area at a time, you can prevent yourself from feeling scattered. This helps you stay on task and finish one section before moving to the next.
5. Use a Timer
The Pomodoro Technique is a great tool when you don’t feel like cleaning. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on cleaning during that time. When the timer goes off, take a five-minute break.
If 25 minutes feels too long, start with just 10 or 15 minutes. The key is to break up cleaning into chunks so it feels more manageable. After each session, take a short rest. Then, reset the timer and get back to it.
6. Reward Yourself for Cleaning
If you don’t feel like cleaning, give yourself a reward for completing a task. It doesn’t have to be anything big. It could be a cup of coffee, a snack, or 10 minutes of scrolling through your phone.
The important thing is to associate cleaning with something positive. When you know a reward is waiting, it’s easier to motivate yourself to get started.
7. Turn On Music or a Podcast
Cleaning doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Make it more enjoyable by turning on your favorite music or an interesting podcast.
For many people, music or podcasts help distract from the task at hand. The next time you don’t feel like cleaning, put on a playlist with upbeat music or dive into a podcast episode. You might find that the time passes faster and the cleaning feels easier.
8. Stick to a Flexible Cleaning Routine
If you often don’t feel like cleaning, creating a flexible routine can help. Set up a schedule that breaks your cleaning tasks into manageable pieces.
Here’s a sample routine:
- Monday: Kitchen
- Tuesday: Bathrooms
- Wednesday: Bedrooms
- Thursday: Living Room
- Friday: Laundry
This routine helps prevent the mess from building up and makes cleaning feel less overwhelming. If you miss a day, don’t worry. The goal is to stay flexible but keep things manageable over time.
9. Make a Checklist When You Don’t Feel Like Cleaning
When you don’t feel like cleaning, using a checklist can help keep you on track. Write down small, manageable tasks that you need to complete. As you go, check each task off your list.
There’s something satisfying about crossing things off a list. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes the process feel less daunting.
Here’s a sample checklist to get you started:
- Take out the trash
- Pick up dirty laundry
- Wipe down counters
- Vacuum the living room
- Clean the bathroom mirror
Each small task adds up, and checking them off one by one can motivate you to keep going.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help When You Don’t Feel Like Cleaning
Sometimes cleaning feels too overwhelming to do alone. If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Get family members or roommates involved. If you have kids, teach them the 100 Item Pick-Up game and let them help. You can even break the game down further—each person can be responsible for 25 or 50 items.
If you’re really struggling, consider hiring a cleaning service. A little extra help can make a big difference and take a huge load off your shoulders.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Be Afraid to Add a Little Fun
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a serious or dreaded task. If you don’t feel like cleaning, try adding an element of fun to the process.
Set mini challenges for yourself, like picking up as many items as you can in five minutes. You could even race against the clock or create friendly competitions with family members to see who can clean the fastest. The goal is to make cleaning feel less like work and more like a game.
Final Thoughts: Cleaning When You Don’t Feel Like Cleaning
Cleaning when you don’t feel like it can be tough. But with these 10 simple strategies, you can make the process less overwhelming. Start small, set a timer, and try the 100 Item Pick-Up game. Break your home into zones and reward yourself along the way.
Everyone has those days where cleaning feels impossible. But by taking it one step at a time, you can get it done—even when you really don’t feel like it.
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