5 Cleaning Hacks For When You’re Just Too Tired

Today, I want to share with you five cleaning hacks and techniques I use to get more done, especially when I’m feeling low on energy or motivation. 

Let’s be honest, we all have days like this. I just dropped my five kids off at school, and I’ve got a long list of cleaning and homemaking tasks staring at me. 

But, truthfully, I’m just not feeling it today. Low energy, low motivation, and even a slight cold have me wanting to crawl back into bed and read a book instead of tackling my to-do list.

Still, I know I’ll feel better once I’ve accomplished what I set out to do, so I’m determined to push through. If you’re feeling the same, whether it’s today or another day, I hope these tips will help you get going and get things done without burning yourself out.

Making the bed might seem small, but it’s a clear signal to my brain that the day has begun. Once I’ve done that first task, it’s easier to build momentum and tackle other things.

I recommend engaging your five senses to help you start. Play some inspirational music, light a candle, spritz your favorite scent, and grab your favorite snack or drink. 

By setting a pleasant environment, you’re giving yourself that extra push to begin. You might be surprised how much easier it feels once you’ve taken that first step.

2. Watch or listen to others being productive

When I’m feeling unmotivated, I like to watch or listen to other people being productive. There’s something about seeing others get things done that subconsciously pushes you to do the same.

Even though I may not know these people, it gives me a sense of accountability.

Personally, I love putting on headphones and listening to a podcast, audiobook, or even a motivational YouTube video while cleaning or organizing. 

I bundle something I enjoy with tasks I don’t like as much — like cleaning bathrooms (my least favorite chore!). It makes the time go faster and helps me feel more productive. If you're struggling with motivation, I highly recommend giving this a try.

3. Give your future self a break

This is one of my favorite techniques: doing things for future me. Sometimes it’s easier to do something for someone else than for yourself, and for some reason, imagining that I’m helping "future me" works wonders.

For example, tonight, we have a packed schedule with basketball games. I know future me will be too tired to cook dinner, so present me is going to throw something in the crockpot ahead of time. 

It saves us from grabbing fast food out of exhaustion and makes the evening smoother for everyone. Simple acts like setting out your clothes the night before or doing a nightly reset can really ease the load on future you.

4. Break tasks into small pieces

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when there’s a lot to do, but breaking things down into smaller, bite-sized tasks makes it much more manageable.

For example, I might write a to-do list of every little task, even if they seem minor, and then focus on one small step at a time.

Today, I started vacuuming one room, which led me to vacuum another, and then another. The tasks kept flowing.

When you start small, it becomes easier to keep going. Checking things off a list also gives a sense of accomplishment, which helps keep you motivated.

5. Take small breaks to avoid burnout

It’s easy to think that pushing through without breaks will help you get more done, but this can lead to burnout. 

Instead, I play a little game with myself: I tell myself that after I finish a specific task, I can take a short break — 10 or 15 minutes to relax. This makes the work feel more manageable and gives me something to look forward to.

I do like to set a timer during my breaks, though, because it’s easy to get too comfortable and lose track of time.

A quick reminder helps me get back on track. Taking these small breaks actually helps me stay productive without wearing myself out.

Cleaning hacks for when you’re tired

Today started with me feeling sluggish and unmotivated, but by using these five tips, I was able to pull myself together, make some progress, and actually feel accomplished. 

If you’re feeling low on energy or motivation, I hope these tips will encourage you to take that first step. You might be surprised by how much you can accomplish, even on a tough day.

Comment your favorite tip down below and let me know if you have any hacks of your own. 

Then, check out these 37 Signs That You Have TOO MUCH Stuff!