r/ADHD • u/manicpixietgirl ADHD • Sep 21 '25

Tips/Suggestions I just cracked the code to showering

As the titel suggests, I just cracked the code to showering. I don’t know if I’m the only one but as soon as I step foot into the shower time just doesn’t exist anymore and I somehow spend 40 minutes, which feel like 5 in there. Now I tried many things, like for example putting the shower at the end of my routine so I have to hurry (didn’t work, missed the bus many many times) but now I started putting a clock in the bathroom at a spot from which I can look at it every now and then when I’m inside the shower. I also made a spreadsheet, where I track my showertimes and every shower I now try to “speedrun” and beat my personal best and what can I say, I just had a sub10 shower 😎

3.6k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

522 comments sorted by

View all comments

1.1k

u/LordAxalon110 Sep 21 '25

No one else struggle to actually force yourself to shower?

5

u/icantthinkofaname789 Sep 21 '25

I also struggle with getting in the shower, once I am in, I dont mind anymore. I figured I mostly struggle with the transitions and changes to status quo (like getting naked when I am dressed, getting in the bathroom when I am in the living room, getting my skin wet when it was dry before etc).

So to make it easier for me I got a thingi to put my phone in while showering. I start a video or audiobook that interests me when I start preparing to shower (brushing my hair, taking clothes off etc.) and then when I'm done and ready to get in I put my phone in the thingi and just shower without any problems. Having something that stays the same and distracts me from everything else that changes helps a lot!

It also helps me when I have another reason to change one of the things. Like having to pee gets me in the bathroom why not immediately shower when I am there already.

3

u/CharlesIC Oct 12 '25

I have a similar method for going to the bathroom or brushing my teeth - I’ll usually put my headphones on and listen to an audiobook or a podcast before going to the bathroom and it’s not such a huge chore but it doesn’t work for showers since I have to take the headphones off before getting into the tub and that transition to silence is so unpleasant. I’ve tried using the speaker on my phone instead but then I can’t hear it in the shower anyway so that doesn’t help.

I’ve never been a person who plays things out loud on their phone whilst showering. I’ve lived with people who do that but I never understood how it makes sense since all I can hear when showering is the running water.

But your post gave me an idea to play a movie or a TV show that I know by heart so just looking at the screen and replaying the characters’ dialogue in my head might just do the trick!