109: Little Jolt of Joy – Add Magic to the Mundane to Motivate Your ADHD Brain!

Add Some Magic to the Mundane

I’ve thought a lot about the word consistency and how uncomfortable it can feel, but when I look at the one thing I truly do consistently in my life, it’s my afternoon cup of coffee. What makes it special isn’t the coffee itself, it’s that I’ve turned a routine into a small ritual: a favorite mug, a few quiet minutes by a window, permission to simply sit and be without guilt. That got me thinking about other ways to sprinkle a little magic onto otherwise mundane tasks.

Flowers as a reward for finishing

When I’m at Costco, I’ll often grab an inexpensive bundle of flowers that lasts a couple of weeks with a little trimming along the way. The trick is I don’t let myself put them in a vase until the kitchen is fully unloaded and cleaned. Once it is, the flowers go on the clean island next to a lit candle, and suddenly unpacking groceries and tidying the kitchen has an actual payoff waiting at the end.

Turn face-washing into a mini ritual

If remembering to wash your face at night is a struggle, and it often is for ADHD brains, try investing in a nice face oil and a jade roller or gua sha tool. Turning it into a small sensory routine rather than just another chore to force yourself through can make it something you actually look forward to.

Scent as motivation for cleaning

Find a genuinely great-smelling, eco-friendly bathroom cleaner so scrubbing becomes something pleasant to be around rather than an unpleasant bleach-scented chore. For laundry, wool dryer balls with a few drops of a favorite essential oil, lavender or citrus, add a layer of enjoyment while folding towels and sheets. A lit candle while straightening the bedroom works the same way, just remember to blow it out when you’re done.

A creative TV trick for a blank wall

If you have a smart TV mounted on a wall that just looks like a big black rectangle when it’s off, search YouTube for scenic photo-scroll videos, often labeled around seasonal themes, autumn scenery, nature scenes, and so on. Many run for a couple of hours with the scene shifting every fifteen minutes or so, essentially turning your TV into rotating art while you tidy the room around it.

Your practical, actionable step

Pick one mundane task on your list this week, groceries, laundry, skincare, tidying, and add one small sensory touch to it, a scent, a lit candle, a nice visual, anything that makes the task feel a little more like a small reward than an obligation.

Until next time, continue to choose joy.