Making Chores Easier for ADHD Brains: Fun Hacks to Get Stuff Done

Let’s be honest—chores? Not exactly topping anyone’s “dream life” Pinterest board. But when you’ve got ADHD, the simple stuff—laundry, dishes, even showering—can feel like scaling a mountain with a backpack full of bricks.

Here’s the thing, though: It’s not you. Your brain is wired differently, and that’s okay. But we’ve still gotta get this stuff done (because clean underwear is kind of non-negotiable). The trick? Stop fighting your brain and start working with it.

Enter stage left: chore hacks that make the boring stuff suck less and maybe even make you laugh while you’re doing them.

Why This Matters

You’re not lazy or unmotivated. Your ADHD brain just isn’t wired to jump for joy at repetitive, boring tasks. You know why? Dopamine. Or more specifically, the *lack* of it. That’s the magic brain chemical that makes things feel rewarding, and without it, your brain’s like, “Eh, we could just scroll TikTok instead.”

But here’s the good news: You can *trick* your brain into releasing a little dopamine by turning chores into games, challenges, or creative projects.

It’s all about reframing. And when you reframe chores, you’re not just getting stuff done—you’re building momentum, confidence, and a little extra calm in your space (and your head).

Try these new ways to think about those chores you loathe...

• Laundry: The Sock Odyssey

  Laundry doesn’t have to be a soul-sucking pile of doom. Let’s make it fun:

  • Sock Dating Service: Every sock in the pile is looking for its match. You’re the matchmaker. Maybe they met on a hiking trip. Maybe one’s a recovering loner and the other’s a hopeless romantic. Give them a story while you match them up.

  • Laundry Rave: Crank up your favorite playlist and fold to the beat. Socks dancing? Totally acceptable.

• Dishes: The Plate Spa

  Nobody *likes* doing dishes, but what if you could make it...weirdly satisfying?

  • Sink Spa Day: Pretend your dishes are at the ultimate spa. That plate? VIP treatment with a bubble bath. Those forks? Full scrub-down, no extra charge.

  • Dish Tetris: The drying rack is your battlefield. How many plates, cups, and bowls can you stack before it all topples? (Bonus points for a perfect fit.)

  

  
  

• Showering: The Recharge Station

  Showering doesn’t have to be a chore. Make it an event.

  • Shampoo Commercial Star: Lather up like you’re on TV. Hair flip? Yes. Fake slo-mo rain effects? Absolutely.

  • Time Traveler Recharge: Imagine your shower is the power-up station for your next big adventure. No shower, no mission.

• Vacuuming: Dust Bunny Hunt

  Vacuuming might seem boring until you reframe it.

  • Be a Dust Detective hunting down rogue dust bunnies. Bonus points if you name the vacuum something epic like “The Bunny Slayer.”

    
    

• Brushing Teeth: Foam Party for One

  Two minutes can feel like forever—but what if it didn’t?

  • Foamy Karaoke: Grab your toothbrush and belt out a song in your head. Toothpaste bubbles? Part of the act.

  • Tooth Fairy Boot Camp: You’re training for a mission to earn your wings. No plaque left behind!

    
    

• Grocery Shopping: Treasure Hunt Edition

  Turn the store into a game show:

  • Guess the cost of each item like you're on The Price is Right. Winner gets snacks!

  • Or try the Supermarket Scavenger Hunt: How fast can you find everything on your list? Bonus points if you find something delicious you weren’t even looking for.

  
  

Why You Should Give Reframing a Shot

Look, I know it might, or does, sound silly, but by making mundane tasks more enjoyable, you’re reducing the mental resistance that keeps you stuck in “chore paralysis.” And the benefits aren’t just about getting things done. They’re about proving to yourself that you can do hard things. That you’re capable. That you’re not broken just because your brain processes motivation differently.

When you gamify chores or add a little fun, you’re not just getting stuff done—you’re building confidence and lowering stress. Plus, let’s be real: a cleaner space means less chaos for your brain, and who doesn’t want that?

So, the next time you’re staring down a mountain of dishes, don’t let it win. Reframe it, hack it, *own* it. Your ADHD brain might not play by the rules, but it’s also creative, curious, and more than capable of crushing a chore list—just on its own terms.

Now go make those socks fall in love. You’ve got this.

Do you have another innovative way of doing chores? Share it below in a comment or feel free to shoot me an email at info@whateverworksadhd.com

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