The Laundry Pile of Doom
Let’s be real—laundry is the ultimate villain of household chores. You know it needs to get done. You see the pile growing. You tell yourself, I’ll do it later. But later turns into tomorrow, then next weekend, and suddenly, you’re fishing socks out of the hamper like a scavenger in the apocalypse. Let’s learn how to overcome procrastination.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not lazy, and you’re not alone. The way we put off laundry (or dishes, or emails, or workouts) is the same way we put off bigger things in life—starting that side hustle, writing that book, or making that doctor’s appointment we know we need.
So, how do we break the cycle? Let’s talk about how conquering laundry can teach you to conquer life and overcome procrastination.
1. Start Small: The One-Sock Rule
One of the biggest reasons we procrastinate is because we see the whole task instead of breaking it down. Laundry feels like a big, exhausting ordeal, but what if your goal was just to throw one sock in the hamper? One sock. That’s it.
Once you do that, you’re more likely to toss in another. And another. Before you know it, you’ve got a full load ready to go. This works because of something called the Zeigarnik Effect—our brains hate unfinished business. Once we start, we want to finish.
💡 Life Hack: Want to finally start that project? Set a micro-goal. Instead of “cleaning the whole house,” just “clear one corner of the counter.” Instead of “write a novel,” just “write one sentence.” Getting started is everything.
2. Make It Stupidly Easy
If your laundry never gets done because carrying it downstairs feels like climbing Everest, here’s a fix: Put a laundry basket right where you drop your clothes. If folding is the issue, dump the clean clothes on your bed—now you have to fold them before you sleep.
This is called reducing friction—making the task so easy that not doing it is harder than just doing it.
💡 Life Hack: Want to read more? Keep a book on your pillow. Want to work out? Sleep in your gym clothes. Make success the path of least resistance.
3. Set a Timer: The 5-Minute Rule
Ever told yourself, I don’t have time? Well, you have five minutes. Set a timer and start the laundry (or whatever task you’re avoiding) with the promise that when the timer dings, you can quit guilt-free.
Most of the time, you won’t quit. Why? Because starting is the hardest part. Momentum takes over, and suddenly, you’re folding clothes like a domestic ninja.
💡 Life Hack: Use the same trick for anything—cleaning, replying to emails, meal prep. Set a five-minute timer, and if you feel like stopping, stop. But you probably won’t.
4. Rebrand the Task: Laundry, But Make It Fun
Hate folding laundry? Pair it with something enjoyable: blast your favorite playlist, listen to an audiobook, or catch up on a podcast. When you associate a task with pleasure, you’re more likely to do it.
💡 Life Hack: Apply this everywhere. Make emails less painful with coffee. Pair workouts with your favorite show. Trick your brain into thinking it’s having a good time.
5. Reward Yourself: Treat Yo’ Self
We procrastinate because the pain of doing a task feels bigger than the reward of finishing it. Flip that. Tell yourself: If I fold this laundry, I get 10 minutes of guilt-free TikTok scrolling. Suddenly, laundry has a built-in dopamine hit at the finish line.
💡 Life Hack: Attach a reward to the tasks you dread. Do the thing, get the treat. Simple but effective.
Spring Cleaning…Your Habits and Overcome Procrastination
With spring around the corner, we’re all thinking about fresh starts. What if, along with decluttering your closet, you decluttered your habit of putting things off? Treat small tasks like a reset button for your productivity.
Start with the laundry. Start with anything. Just start.
What’s Your “Sock” Task?
What’s one tiny thing you’ve been putting off that you can do right now? Leave a comment below or tag me on social media @TimothyScott. Let’s stop saying “later” and start getting things done—one sock at a time.
🚀 Want more anti-procrastination hacks? Check out my book, You Aren’t a Lazy Piece of Sh!t (or on Amazon.com), and get ready to take back your time, your energy, your life and overcome procrastination once and for all.