This is an on again, off again habit for me that I rebelled against for years. Why should I make my bed, when I’m going to undo it again in less than 24 hours? The task also brought up bad memories of never being able to make up my frilly bed set “correctly” as a kid. There were also years of different shifts for my husband where we went to bed and woke up at different times and I never bothered to go back and make the bed.
But, lately I have enjoyed a made bed. I like not having to grab pillows and sheets from the floor that I have kicked off during the night – right before bed. Perhaps other people’s beds don’t look so crazy, but I kick and move all night long.
I smile as I see how much more serene my room is when the bed is made. I teach that the bedroom should be the most peaceful room in the house. Removing clutter, picking clothes up off the floor and making the bed contributes to the serenity.
By night since I am co-parenting my 4-year-old grandson, I am so tired I want to crawl under my covers and go to sleep. If I haven’t made the bed, I am fighting with sheets wrapped around the comforter, getting pillows organized on my bed and I have to stay up longer. This makes me feel stressed which never helps sleep.
When the bed is already made before I lie down for the night, I find it easier to go right to sleep. I think it signals the brain it’s time to rest instead of it’s time to work. I get comfy right away under the covers, put on my sleep mask, start my bedtime meditation and drift off to sleep.
I read somewhere that making your bed in the morning helps start the momentum of doing your tasks for the day. It gives you a quick boost, knowing you have already completed one thing – and it tends to be an easy thing. I timed myself one time and it turned out to be less than a minute to make my bed. (Though longer if I try to do at night when I am tired.)
I also only have the sheet and comforter. No throw pillows or frilly additions to my bed.
Depending on what my grandson needs in the morning, I may not get to my bed right away. But, now I make my bed some time before it’s time to go to bed. Knowing I have a lovely bed to go to when I am ready to sleep feels like self-care to me now.
Is this a habit you would like to try?
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