Why You Should Be Making Your Bed Every Morning
Sometimes I wonder if certain topics are even important to talk/write about because I assume we're mostly grown people and will do what we want to do. You'll either make your bed or you won't so why bother taking about it? So, I asked 5 people how often they make their bed everyday and only 2 of them said "every morning, for sure". It's a small sample size, but still that's barely half. That conversation launched a very interesting conversation as to whether the task was even necessary or not. Side note, if said discussion is not handled well, it can spiral—apparently it’s a sore spot. 😀
I jokingly said 'most of my initial reluctance is from childhood trauma of being forced to do it as a chore', but i low-key wasn't joking. So, while I totally understand the hesitation to make your bed in the morning, there are some very good, life-impacting reasons why tidying up your bed is a really good idea.
so...
Here's Why I Think You Should Make Your Bed
CONFIDENCE: It Starts Your Day Off Right
Making you bed every morning is a subtle daily act of self-discipline, motivation and most importantly self-love. It's a small task that - if included in your morning routine - will give your day structure and a sense of pride.
I attended a military boarding school for all 6 years of high-school and I hated every moment of the "forced" tasks we were made to do every morning like making our beds. However, like most things in life, you don't see the value of the lessons learned until the moment itself passes. And I'm grateful for the "forced" structure that was instilled in me from those days.
“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another.
By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.
Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.
And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.
If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”
PRODUCTIVITY & ORGANIZATION:
These two go hand-in-hand. It's almost impossible to make your bed in the morning and leave the nightstand or the nearby table messy. It just rarely happens. It won't even feel right to your mind's eye...LOL. The most beautiful room will look untidy if the bed is unmade, and the reverse is true: when you make your bed, it pulls the room together even if the rest of the room isn't perfect or properly styled. And once one part of your bedroom/apartment/house is tidy, it pushes you to clean up all the other areas. Now, it may not always look Pinterest-worthy but everything will be in it's proper place
Also, it would be really hard to feel relaxed or creative in a space that is cluttered and messy. Unfortunately, you may go about your day wondering why things feel a little off. And I'm not saying an unmade bed is the cause of all brain fog, but it's the little things that make a big difference.
MOOD BOOSTER: It Improves Your Mood & Reduces Stress
You spend a lot of time in your bedroom - at least 8 hours a day. These days (hello, COVID-19) those hours are extended. So, it makes sense that the way your room looks will impact your mental state. When your space is made up, you're subconsciously letting yourself know that you are cared for. You'll create a space for peace and a sense of calm that extends to the deep parts of you.
EASE AT NIGHT
At night, when it's time to go to bed, you can look forward to sweet respite knowing that your bed is made. This is what sells it for me! I'm a simple woman...LOL. For great sleep, a neat, tidy bedroom is much better for sleep than a space that looks like you were raised by wolves. Were you raised by wolves??? If the answer is NO, then make your bed 😉.
Overall, what I'm saying is this: If you find that you're feeling overwhelmed, take a couple of minutes each morning to make your bed. It may be just the thing to improve your life. For me, it's extra hard to get out of bed on the days that feel heavy. But I've found over time that this simple step is a great way to bring a sense of control back into your life, and it energizes you. I hope you'll give it a try!