If you spend any time on the internet you’ll probably see articles saying the following:
“Seven ways to make cleaning your home easier”
“Here are four things to do each morning to start your day off great!”
“Three ways to cook the perfect meal that everyone will eat!”
Sometimes it gets a bit ridiculous. We compare ourselves to those on the internet friends or strangers, whether we want to or not. We all have Pinterest boards showing off all these great things we want. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or something else. And we’re all looking for another life tip, trick, or “hack” that will make our life easier.
So I’m here today to make you feel just a little bit better. You can rest easy knowing that you are probably a better person than me for doing this one thing.
I’m about to share the one household chore I skip that shocks many others.
We don’t make the bed.
Nope.
Not ever.
Sometimes if we are feeling really “fancy” we’ll pull up the sheets and lay them somewhat nicely on top. That’s it. And even that I think we’ve done maybe five times in the nearly two years we’ve been married. (see photo below this photo “shoot” counts as one of the five times!)
You see, it’s not that we’re lazy. We really aren’t.
But I just don’t buy into that whole, “If you don’t make the bed, your entire day will be a failure!” mentality.
Guess what? If I don’t make the bed, my bed won’t be made! That’s it! The entire world is not going to come crumbling down around me. My child will not act like a little monster because I did not put the bed “together” before he awoke. Nothing catastrophic is going to happen because I did not make the bed!
Maybe I’m in the minority, but making the bed right after we wake up does not in any way make me feel “better” or like I’m going to have some great day due to this small accomplishment. Heck, I wouldn’t even call it an accomplishment!
Hubs and I have two sets of covers. He has a blanket that he’s not willing to give up, and we both like to hog the blankets. Depending on who is stronger on that particular night, one of us is going to be cold. (Hotel rooms nights get interesting…) So we compromised and each have our own blanket. Sometimes we each have two. There’s no flat sheet on our bed, but trying to put four blankets down on just half the bed isn’t exactly going to give it a “made” look.
Is the above part of why I don’t make the bed?
Perhaps. But I didn’t do it when I was single either. Not growing up. (Oh, the horror!) Not in college. And not after. Why start now?
How about you? Do you make the bed? What household chore do you skip that society seems to view as a necessity? I’d love to hear it in the comments below!
This was a guest post by Heather (better known as HoJo). She blogs about her life DIY, parenting, recipes, and more over at HoJo’s Life Adventures. She also runs a teaching blog at HoJo’s Teaching Adventures. Stop by and say hi!
Julie S says
I am with you on this 100%! Making my bed does NOT make my day feel more productive or less stressful. Making my bed only results in my bed being made, and me losing a few more precious minutes of my time.
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says
I started making the bed several years ago, because it makes our tiny master bedroom look nicer. Plus, that’s my major flat surface for folding laundry! But if having a messy bed doesn’t bother you, then I totally agree that you shouldn’t waste any time on it. :)
Nancy says
I’m exactly the same way. Nope don’t make my bed and I don’t make Kiddos do it either. We don’t use the flat sheets because they end up bunched up on the floor at the foot of the bed every morning. MY mother in law thinks we are messy and lazy for it. She can sleep with half her bed made and it doesn’t move all through the night. All she has to do in the morning is flip her sheets and comforter over run her hand over it put the pillows back and she’s done. My bed looks like an earthquake happened while I slept. My theory is id’s just going to get that way again so what is the point. Unless I’m having special company there’s no way.
Amy says
I make my bed.. But sometimes that’s the only thing I do get done before running off to work.. See I work nightshift.. And it’s so nice to come home to a nicely made bed, that I can turn down and snuggle into.. Plus i’m one of those people that doesn’t move around much when I sleep.. so it doesn’t get that bad.. all I have to do is pull up the sheets and comforter.. and bam, I’m done.. lol.. My bedroom is exactly that “mine”.. it’s my sanctuary.. everything around here is left up to ME to do.. And I work 12 hour shifts.. I come home to messes every single morning.. So, I love being able to come back to my bedroom and see that nicely made up bed.. It does make me feel good.. Just because the rest of the house is usually a mess.. lol.. Only time I can get some house work done is when I have a day off.. And working graveyard can really mess ya up!!! Love this post tho!!!
Sarah says
I love having a made up bed! BUT we also have separate blankets and it’s kind of a pain to get everything on there nicely so it only gets done a couple times (or once?) a week, lol! Never happens when I get up before my husband bc I don’t have time to go back after dressing and he refuses to do it ;)
Karen Patten says
I’m not a bed maker! Never have been never will be! My father keeps wanting me to have the boys make their beds. But I just don’t see how I can require them to make their beds if I don’t. I have the same mentality – I didn’t grow up into a serial killer and I’m a respectable member of society – so I think they’ll make it too :-)