If you’re like me with ADHD, you know that feeling of constantly racing against the clock, trying to keep up with work, life, friends—pretty much everything. And yes, procrastination is basically my BFF!
As someone diagnosed later in life, I’m always on the lookout for ways to feel better about what I do and what I don’t get done. But honestly, I really want to get more done — especially the stuff I tend to put off the most. You know, those pesky “adulting things.” Cleaning the house, folding laundry, doing dishes, filing papers — you see the pattern, right? These aren’t exactly exciting tasks that give me that rush of dopamine. I’m a total dopamine seeker. I’ll binge-watch shows (even though I don’t usually watch TV), play games on my phone, or do anything interesting to avoid the boring chores.
That’s where the magic of doing nothing comes in. And I mean really doing nothing — no music, no screens, no flashing lights, no notifications — just total silence and stillness.
I read about this approach a few times, and I decided to try it for about a week. Let me tell you—it’s a total game changer.
Here’s what you can do (or have your partner or kid do): turn everything off, find a comfortable spot, and just sit or stand there. Don’t move, don’t do any activity — nothing. So far, I can usually handle around nine minutes before I feel like I *must* do something. And you know what? That brief moment of stillness actually helps make the task I’ve been avoiding seem less daunting. It gives me a tiny dopamine boost—enough to push past that procrastination hurdle and get started.
Give it a try — you might be surprised at what a little doing nothing can do for your day!
Henry Van Nostrand is one of the co-founders of Paws 4 Kids 4 Paws. Her dog Drama (RIP) was part of the inspiration for Paws 4 Kids 4 Paws and served on the original board of Dogrectors.
(Yes, a woman named Henry. NOT Henrietta or other things you might guess. Ask her about it sometime when you have time…)