{"id":2734,"date":"2025-09-30T00:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T00:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/?p=2734"},"modified":"2025-10-16T02:02:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T02:02:29","slug":"this-mom-tried-my-cleaning-routine-and-it-changed-everything","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/this-mom-tried-my-cleaning-routine-and-it-changed-everything\/","title":{"rendered":"This Mom Tried My Cleaning Routine\u2014and It Changed Everything"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I got this message the other day&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">\u201cThank you! Those words don\u2019t really articulate what you\u2019ve done for me through your mission, but I\u2019m a 44-year-old mother of three adult children and I have tried everything\u2014Flylady, Clean Mama, and even hired a private organizer to try to help me set up a system\u2014and nothing worked. Until I found your page and downloaded the free cleaning routines. I started with the evening routine, and I\u2019m stunned at how much I was able to get done. Thank you again for helping this ADHD brain!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">When I read messages like this, it reminds me <em>exactly<\/em> why I started Domestic Daydreams. I was once in that same boat\u2014trying every system under the sun, yet still feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">That\u2019s why I developed routines that <em>play nicely<\/em> with how your brain works\u2014especially when ADHD is in the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DPPMK4UES-N\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DPPMK4UES-N\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DPPMK4UES-N\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Cheyenne | Audio Cleaning Routines, ADHD friendly cleaning hacks (@domesticdaydreams)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does This Sound Like You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">You\u2019re tired of waking up to yesterday\u2019s mess<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">You keep certain doors closed to hide clutter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">You <em>want<\/em> to feel the sweetness of homemaking again\u2014without always feeling like a failure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You&#8217;re not alone. Many people wrestle with these same frustrations, especially when their brain doesn\u2019t thrive on rigid schedules&#8230;yet still needs routine to function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 1950s-Inspired Audio Routine That Actually Changed My Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Enter the <strong>my podcast Morning Cleaning Routine<\/strong>\u2014it&#8217;s like body doubling and cleaning with a friend. Press play, and I walk you through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">\u2705 Daily cleaning tasks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">\u2705 Weekly cleaning task (bathroom on Tuesdays, anyone?)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">\u2705 Monthly cleaning tasks through zone cleaning on Mondays and Saturdays<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">All designed to be done in <strong>about 30 minutes a day<\/strong>\u2014no guessing, no timer juggling, no decision fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Works (Especially if ADHD Is Part of Your Life)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Here\u2019s where science and lived experience comes into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The ADHD-Routine Paradox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Your brain <em>wants<\/em> structure \u2014 but often fights against it. In one survey, over <strong>80% of people with ADHD<\/strong> agreed with both: <em>\u201cMy brain needs structure\u201d<\/em> and <em>\u201cMy brain resists structure.\u201d<\/em> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatinthebrain.com\/adhd-blog-post\/adhd-routine-paradox-executive-dysfunction?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">What in the ADHD?<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Executive dysfunction, time blindness, and dopamine dips all contribute to that push-pull. Traditional routines feel boring or suffocating.<br>So the trick is: <strong>structure that feels fun<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Routine as a Neurohack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Structured routines reduce \u201cchoice fatigue\u201d\u2014you don\u2019t have to decide what to do next. Studies and expert commentary show that consistent routines <strong>help with time management, organization, and emotional stability<\/strong> in adults with ADHD. (<a href=\"https:\/\/neurolaunch.com\/is-routine-good-for-adhd\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">NeuroLaunch.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Plus, every small task you <em>complete<\/em> gives your brain a tiny dopamine reward. It\u2019s not just productivity\u2014it\u2019s reinforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ADHD in Adults: More Common Than You Think<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">In the U.S., <strong>about 6% of adults<\/strong> currently carry an ADHD diagnosis. (<a href=\"https:\/\/chadd.org\/about-adhd\/general-prevalence-adults\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">ChADD<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">More than half of adults with ADHD were diagnosed <em>in adulthood<\/em>. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/adhd\/php\/adults\/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">CDC<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Yet many remain untreated\u2014there\u2019s a substantial gap between those who qualify and those getting support. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/adhd\/php\/adults\/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">CDC<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">If you\u2019ve ever felt like you\u2019re a \u201clate bloomer\u201d when it comes to organizing your life, you\u2019re in excellent company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inside my Domestic Daydreams Cleaning System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Your home doesn\u2019t need to be \u201cperfect\u201d\u2014just calm, functional, and loving. Here\u2019s what I built:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf1e Morning Cleaning Routine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Air beds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Start one load of laundry (with machine settings included!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Empty the dishwasher<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Quick 5-minute clutter sweep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">A 15-minute weekly task<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf19 Evening Cleaning Routine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">10-minute clutter sweep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Dishes + reset dishwasher<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Fold or put away that day\u2019s laundry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Spot-clean floors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">A little winding-down moment (because you deserve it)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You\u2019ll find audio versions <em>and<\/em> printable checklists\u2014whichever fits your mood that day. (<a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/opt-in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Click here\"><strong>Click here<\/strong><\/a> to try the audio routines, <a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/offers\/YAp9FhVZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"click here\">click here<\/a> for the printable routines)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfa7 Try It Free or Join the Membership!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">I\u2019m offering a couple <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/opt-in\" title=\"free episodes\">free episodes<\/a><\/strong> of the Morning Cleaning Routine for anyone who wants to try them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">\u2728<a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/opt-in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\" Get your free cleaning episodes here\"> Get your free cleaning episodes here<\/a><br>\u2728<a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/clean-house-on-autopilot-membership\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\" Or join the membership\"> Or join the membership<\/a> to unlock new episodes <strong>six days a week<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">I promise\u2014once you hear me guiding you, cleaning will stop feeling like a battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Or Watch this Video to See it in Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Tuesday Clean With Me Full Routine | 1950s House Cleaning Challenge\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JuuLel8kcmA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I got this message the other day&#8230; \u201cThank you! Those words don\u2019t really articulate what you\u2019ve done for me through your mission, but I\u2019m a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,138,79,78,172],"tags":[102,100,199,73],"class_list":["post-2734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-cleaning-motivation","category-cleaning-routines","category-homemaking","category-mom-hacks","tag-cleaning-routine","tag-cleaning-schedule","tag-realistic-cleaning-schedule","tag-testimonials"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Thumbnails-for-Domestic-Daydreams-8.png?fit=1280%2C920&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2734"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2753,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2734\/revisions\/2753"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}