Let’s be honest, my house is often a mess. But I don’t believe in “laziness.” Most of the time, when we’re not getting stuff done, it’s because we’re overwhelmed, stuck, or simply focused on something else. Even if that “something else” is just needing rest. That’s not laziness, that’s life.
For the longest time, I struggled to keep my space clean without it taking over my entire day or draining all my energy. I needed a system that didn’t eat up my precious free time but also didn’t leave me feeling like a failure when I couldn’t keep up.
Then one day, a random quote from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt popped into my head:
“I learned a long time ago that a person can stand just about anything for 10 seconds. Then, you just start on a new 10 seconds.”
That stuck with me, and it gave me an idea:
What if I only cleaned for 10 minutes per room?
Why Nothing Worked Before
I’ve tried other cleaning routines in the past, but never with a plan. They always felt like they were made for someone else, someone who had unlimited energy or who could focus on cleaning for hours without getting sidetracked.
I get overwhelmed super easily. And if I get distracted (which is often), I just spiral. Let’s say I’m cleaning a shelf and find a box filled with memories. I’ll start going through it, reminiscing, maybe getting emotional, and suddenly I’m out of time, motivation or energy. The shelf? Still messy, or even messier than before.
My New Rule: 10 Minutes Per Room
Here’s what I do now:
In each room, I clean for just 10 minutes. That’s it.
I look around and ask myself, “What can I manage in 10 minutes?” And then I do that. If I know something will take longer, like cleaning my action figure shelf or washing giant windows, I make that my one and only task in that room for the day.
The time limit is a total game-changer. It gives me a sense of control and keeps things from becoming overwhelming. It’s enough to make visible progress, but not so much that it drains me. And I can always remind myself “It’s only 10 Minutes!”
Also, I don’t leave the room during those 10 minutes. If I find something that belongs somewhere else, like an empty cup from my desk, or a charger that belongs somewhere else, I toss it in a small basket I carry around with me, and I return all that stuff after the cleaning timer is done. That way I don’t get distracted on the way to the kitchen or wherever that item belongs.
Gamification To Help The Process
To help me stay organized, I also use a cozy little productivity game called Spirit City: Lofi Sessions. I start it up every morning while drinking tea or coffee. It’s this calming virtual space where you customize your little character and room, and it comes with tools like a to-do list, habit tracker, and Pomodoro timers.
I mainly use the to-do list. I write down what I want to get done that day, with no pressure to do everything, just what I can. The lists are split it into a “cleaning” list and a “digital” one, which includes things like checking out software or writing job applications.
ADHD Hacks I’ve Adopted
Over time, I picked up a bunch of small tricks from ADHD TikTok and cleaning TikTok. I just took what made sense and made it my own.
For example, I now have laundry baskets in almost every room, so it’s easy to collect clothes quickly and deal with them later.
I also put tiny trash cans on every table so random wrappers or receipts don’t just sit around for days. These simple little adjustments have made it way easier to keep things under control.
Make It Enjoyable
To make the experience a little more fun, I put on music or an audiobook. My Bluetooth headphones help me stay in my bubble, which means fewer distractions from outside noises or notifications.
Today, while cleaning, I actually found a bunch of great songs. One of them was “Stranger” by Hinds feat. Grian Chatten. I highly recommend checking it out.
Over the last couple of weeks, I also listened to almost the entire audiobook Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. Not only did I get cleaning done, I also learned a lot about myself. Double win.
What I Do on My “Off Days”
I allow myself two non-cleaning days per week, but never two in a row. That helps me stay in the rhythm without it feeling like a punishment.
On low-energy days, I give myself permission to rest. I game, watch shows, take long baths, or hang out on Twitch guilt-free. The only rule is that I start again the next day.
The Results So Far
I’ve only been doing this for about three weeks, but it’s already becoming second nature.
Just yesterday, I had friends over. One of them said, “When I came in, I was wondering if you hired a cleaner.” That comment made me feel so proud. It was incredibly validating.
I feel better in my space now. My mood is lighter. I have more energy. And most importantly, my home feels like a place that supports me.
Not Everyone Gets It, and That’s Okay
I told a few friends about this method. One of them loved it and jumped on board right away. Another, who’s a mom of two, said it would stress her out to not finish a full room in one go.
And that’s okay! We’re all wired differently. For me, this 10-minute rule feels doable, forgiving, and effective. It’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing enough and being kind to yourself while you’re at it.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by mess and traditional cleaning routines just don’t work for you, try this out. Set a timer. Pick a room. Put on some music. See how you feel after just 10 minutes.
It worked for me. It might work for you, too.
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