Adhd hack: Why Keeping Your Shoes On Can Help You Get Things Don

If you live with ADHD, you’ve probably tried countless strategies to boost focus, stay motivated, and complete daily tasks. From timers to to-do lists, the tools are endless—but one surprisingly simple trick might be hiding in plain sight: keeping your shoes on indoors.

It might sound odd at first. After all, many of us are conditioned to kick off our shoes the minute we walk through the door. But for many ADHDers, leaving shoes on can be an incredibly effective productivity hack.

Here’s why it works.

Shoes are a subtle cue for action. Think about it: when you’re wearing shoes, your brain associates them with being “in motion,” ready to go somewhere or do something. Taking them off signals relaxation, downtime, and the end of responsibility. So, keeping them on helps maintain a “doing” mindset, rather than slipping into “rest” mode.

This small sensory difference can shift your mental state. For those with ADHD—who often struggle with transitions, motivation, and maintaining focus—this change in physical state can offer just enough of a nudge to initiate or complete tasks that might otherwise feel overwhelming.

Shoes also offer body awareness. The extra weight and tactile feedback can help ground you in your body, which can be especially helpful if you tend to feel scattered or overstimulated. It's a bit like wearable proprioceptive input—gentle sensory support that says, "You're here. You're doing something."

Of course, it’s not a universal fix, but it’s a low-effort, no-cost trick that’s worth experimenting with. Need to clean the kitchen, send emails, or finally fold that mountain of laundry? Try leaving your shoes on for a bit longer and see if your momentum improves.

ADHD-friendly solutions don’t always have to be complicated. Sometimes, it's as simple as keeping your shoes on—just one more way to turn your environment into an ally, not a hurdle.