Struggling with Simple Tasks?

Save

At my lowest point I struggled with most simplest of tasks. Stuck in survival mode, if it wasn’t absolutely necessary I neglected it and self care like face washing and teeth brushing were some of those things. I don’t say this proudly but I no longer hold shame for it because I know the psychology behind it now. If you’re experiencing this as well, you shouldn’t feel shame either.

The day I decided to start somewhere, it was with tasks as simple as a day and night routine of washing my face and brushing my teeth.

Some nights I still struggle, and work in bed until I fall asleep, sometimes I end up brushing when I get up in the middle of the night (yes I will brush my teeth eyes closed and all). Maybe I won’t wash my face. But I do what I can in that moment and there’s always the next morning to make up for it, God willing.

Chat GPT Help

Q: Why do I struggle to do simple tasks like brushing teeth and washing face?

ChatGPT’s Answer:

Because those tasks aren’t actually “simple” for your brain — they’re boring, repetitive, and give almost no immediate reward, and that’s exactly what makes them hard when you have things like ADHD, trauma history, depression, burnout, or executive dysfunction.

This struggle is extremely common, and it’s not laziness.

Why it happens (the real reasons)

1. Executive dysfunction

Your brain struggles with starting tasks, even if they’re easy. Brushing your teeth isn’t hard… but initiating the sequence is.

2. Low dopamine tasks feel painful

Hygiene tasks don’t feel stimulating. If your brain runs low on dopamine, it may treat these tasks like they’re mentally “expensive.”

So your brain goes:

“No reward? No urgency? Not doing it.”

3. Transition paralysis

You have to stop what you’re doing, get up, go to the bathroom, look in the mirror, do multiple steps…

That’s a transition, and transitions are hard for ADHD brains.

4. Trauma can make self-care feel unsafe

This surprises people, but if you grew up in survival mode, your nervous system may associate quiet self-care with vulnerability. Sometimes your body resists it like:

“We don’t have time for this. Stay alert.”

5. Depression / burnout makes everything heavier

When you’re emotionally exhausted, even basic things feel like climbing a hill with weights on.

6. Sensory issues

Toothpaste taste, water temperature, mirror lighting, the feeling of being wet, cold bathroom floors—these can trigger avoidance without you even realizing it.

The most important thing to know

If you can scroll for 2 hours but can’t brush your teeth, it’s usually not motivation.

It’s nervous system + dopamine + task initiation.

What actually helps (realistic fixes)

  • Make it smaller: “Just rinse with mouthwash” counts.
  • Stack it with something enjoyable: brush while watching TikTok.
  • Keep supplies visible: wipes + toothbrush on the counter.
  • Remove the ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset: face wipe is still face care.
  • Use shortcuts: disposable toothbrushes, micellar water, floss picks.
  • Create a trigger: “When I pee at night, I brush.” (habit pairing)

If this has been happening a lot

It can be a sign of:

  • ADHD
  • depression
  • chronic stress
  • trauma dysregulation
  • autistic sensory overload
  • executive functioning issues

You don’t need to “try harder.” You need a system that matches your brain.

Additional ChatGPT Help prompt:

If you want,  I can help you build a super low-effort hygiene routine that feels doable even on bad days.