TikTok's Favorite Way to Clean When You Can't Focus

You're likely here for one of two reasons and perhaps both: You saw someone talking about "junebug" cleaning on social media and/or you are tired of not being able to focus on cleaning, so you Googled in desperation. I'm in both camps with you. Even though I know I'm supposed to create a steady cleaning schedule and only tidy up in 15-minute bursts to stave off burnout, I still find myself wondering at times where I should even start and what I should even do. I have a million thoughts running around my head and none of them leave a lot of space for peacefully, actively plotting out how and what to clean. That's where the junebug method really shines.

What is the "junebug" cleaning method?

Though it's popular on modern social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, the earliest mention of the trend came around on Tumblr, where a user explained that to clean up despite their ADHD, they imagined they were like a junebug: "Have you ever seen a junebug get to grips with a window screen? It’s remarkably persistent, but not very focused. All that matters is location."

So, you act like a junebug. That's it. Unlike an insect trying to get through a window screen, though, you're cleaning. You pick one area you could or need to clean, like the kitchen. Then, focus on one spot, like the sink or a countertop. Like a junebug, you just keep coming back to that spot, no matter what else distracts you in the process. So, if the sink is your designated junebugging site, you might wash the dishes in it, then get distracted as you notice the backsplash needs to be wiped down. After you wipe down the backsplash, remind yourself that you're supposed to be at the sink; go back to it to scour it or giving the faucet some attention. From there, with your sponge in hand, you might wander away to clean the countertops—but always go back to that starting point when you finish whatever you wandered away to do.

The idea here is that you're using your own distractibility to your advantage. One task at the starting point might remind you of something else you need to do, but once you finish it up, go back to the starting point for more inspiration and motivation. Eventually, you'll make your way all around, like a junebug, but keep returning to where you started—also like a junebug.

Who should try junebugging to clean?

Junebugging is a useful technique for anyone who is having a hard time focusing, gets distracted easily, or just wants to shake up their routine. On TikTok and other platforms, it's proven especially popular for people with ADHD. In fact, the Tumblr user who first coined it did so as a result of their own ADHD. Now, mental health pros point to it as a great option for neurodivergent people.

Obviously, you don't need to have ADHD to try this out. The beauty of this technique is it works for anyone, as long as you go into it understanding why you're doing it and give yourself some grace. Just tackle whatever distracts you, calls your attention, or seem pertinent in the moment. You may not finish every task, but it's better than doing nothing and returning over and over to the same spot acts like a reset, allowing you to surround yourself in familiarity and reorient a bit, pointing your attention to something else.