I'm working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too! Everyone's project will look different, but it's the rare person who can't benefit. Join in -- no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday's post will help you think about your own happiness project.
A few days ago, I was writing my list of tips for how to keep your surroundings uncluttered, and I included the extremely important tip, "Make your bed." But I realized that making your bed is an act important enough to deserve being its own resolution.
Now, it's true that some people thrive on a little chaos. They find a disorderly room to be comfy and casual. When one of my friends was growing up, her mother made such a big deal of keeping the house clean that now my friend has gone far in the opposite direction. Very far. Most people, however, even if they may find it tough to keep things tidy, prefer to live in orderly surroundings.
I love a calm environment, and making the bed is one of the quickest, easiest steps to keeping our bedroom orderly. Also, I get a real feeling of accomplishment from having completed this small task. It's nice to start the day feeling that I've crossed something - however minor - off my list. It starts me off feeling productive, disciplined, and efficient.
Especially if you're feeling overwhelmed, picking one little task to improve your situation, and doing it regularly, can help you regain a sense of control. Making your bed is a good place to start. It might help you build momentum to keeping other, more significant resolutions.
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OPEN SHADES AND LET SUNLIGHT HIT THE BED.
SUN LIGHT KILLS BED BUGS !!!!!
Maybe there is no difference?
That was the last day I made a bed to my mom's satisfaction. From then on, it was a quick shake of the duvet and where it landed, it lay for the day, wrinkles and body dips and all. I couldn't believe how much warmer and more inviting it was to snuggle under cotton and down without being weighed down.
For our first Christmas, I bought all of my sisters duvets and converted them... my mom didn't succumb for about 10 years but one day I walked into my parents room and there was a slightly lumpy duvet spread a little less haphazardly than mine normally was but definitely no hospital corners.
Recently, I gave some fatherly advice to one of my sons regarding women. I said forget about the pretty face, the curves, the nice smile and the intoxicating smell of her hair. I said, "Ignore all that!" I told him that in this world there are neat freaks and there are nest builders. On a day to day aggravation level, I said, a neat freak will do the small things that will keep you from annoyance but beware, when she has cleaned everything, she will start on you!
Over the long term, the nest builder, however, will be the one to give you a life full of affection, laughter and treasure, messy bed and all. And if you just have to have something neat and orderly, well do it your own d amn self and don't complain.
I always hate to do them. I don't like grease in my hands. That's all.
Happy 2009 to all.
Failing to make your bed in the morning may actually help keep you healthy, scientists believe.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4181629.stm
"A Kingston University study discovered the bugs cannot survive in the warm, dry conditions found in an unmade bed."
(PDXTransplant - I do the same Saturday ritual and I love it too !)
However, I don't always make up my husbands side
(the dog not my husband) looks out the window. I usually do flip up my husband's side of the comforter though; just so he won't mind about the pooch snuggling into his sweats.
Kitchen counter tops - if you have a pantry, use it, extra cabinets, or a funky piece of furniture can be added for storage. You might not want to put your coffee maker away, but a toaster, canisters, etc. It's a little more work to drag them out but the countertop looks so good. You could also add an appliance garage under your upper cabinets, that takes up counter space, but everything is put away.