Last week, I shared on Instagram stories about how I was trying to make my bed every day. (Are you following me on Instagram? I’m having so much fun sharing little behind-the-scenes peeks into my life through the Instagram stories feature!)
My friend, MacKenzie, directed messaged me saying something like, “I can’t believe you don’t make your bed every day! I assumed you would always make your bed as soon as you get up!”
In case any of the rest of you had that same idea, I wanted to set the record straight: I don’t make my bed every day.
Nope, I don’t.
I know that I recommend it in my very popular post 5 Things You Should Do Every Day post, so I kind of feel like a hypocrite putting this out there. I also know that people have lauded the virtues of making your bed for years.
But I just have come to realize that a made bed is not the be all, end all in life.
Yes, I love a made bed. Yes, I love how it looks when I walk into my room. But many days of my life have gone by without my bed being made in the last year and I’m okay with that.
Because I’ve determined that it’s just not a top priority for me at this season of life. I admit, there’s also the practical part of me that thinks things like: I’m just going to get back into it tonight, so what’s the big deal of making it every day.
(I know! That probably sounds crazy to those of you who can’t really function without making your bed!)
The older I get, the more I’m coming to grips with the fact that we are all so different.
Some of you can’t stand to not make your bed, some of you don’t care and never make your bed, and some of you (like me) like to have it made but it doesn’t ruin your day if it’s not made.
All of us our wired differently and that’s the beauty of how life works! We can learn from one another. We can be inspired by one another. But we don’t have to be carbon copies of one another.
We all have different areas that are important to us and things that are priorities to us. Making the bed is not a huge priority to me, but having a clean kitchen is very, very important to me.
So if I only have 15 or 20 minutes to devote to cleaning or house projects in the morning, I’m going to devote that to the kitchen, because that’s more important to me. And I’m good with that, and so is my husband. (He really doesn’t care a bit whether the bed is made or not!)
My Perspective on Bed-Making Applies to Finances, Too
As I was thinking about this whole to make your bed or to not make your bed thing, I realized how so much of this can be applied to finances, as well:
1. Determine What Is Most Important To You — If you want to have financial success, you first have to determine what your priorities are. Just like I determined that it’s not a top priority for me to have my bed made every day, our family has also determined that having nice household furnishings is not a priority for us. But investing time and money into our kids’ activities (such as baseball and figure skating) is a priority, just like having a clean kitchen is a priority to me.
What are your financial goals? What area your hopes and dreams financially? What is a priority to you financially? Start there — and make sure it’s truly what is most important to you, not just what you think should be most important to you.
2. Do What Works Best For You — Stop feeling like you have to keep up with every one else or do what everyone else does. If you don’t really care about making your bed and it doesn’t make a difference in your life, stop feeling like you should — just because you read an article or watched a video or talked to a friend who is a diehard advocate of bed-making. If you don’t really care about having nicer furniture or wearing nicer clothes or driving a nicer car, stop feeling like you should — despite comments or criticism from other people.
Learn from other people. Be inspired by other people. Try new things if your current system isn’t working. But ultimately, do what works best for you and your family.
Do you make your bed? Why or why not? Does it make a difference? I’d love to hear!
Related: What a Messy House Can Teach You About Financial Success
C. Haselau says
I live in a city that is very hot and humid, so instead of making the bed everyday, I hang the covers over the bed posts and straighten the sheet in order to air the bed. I don’t want any mould or bed bugs to grow in the bed!
Diana says
I make my bed almost everyday now that I don’t work. But there are some days I purposely don’t make my bed because I read an article that if you don’t make your bed first thing in the morning you can help in not getting bed bugs! I’ve never had them and don’t want to get them. But the office I worked in I had several bugs brought in to identify and they were bed bugs. You don’t have to be a dirty housekeeper to get them. Even now when I make my bed I don’t tuck the sheets or blankets or anything in tight I just throw everything up on top and put the pillows on and it still looks nice.
bao cao su home says
I used to never make my bed! When I was growing up and my mom made me make it I would tell myself when I had my own place I wasn’t going to make my bed. Then I met my husband’s mom. I do not know when it happened but she convinced me that making my bed will make me feel better. I rebelled against that a little at first and then I decided to try to make it a habit and I found that I liked it made and didn’t mind that task so much. Now I feel so much better with it made.
Kristy says
Most days I make it, but some days other things are just more important. However, I do spread the top cover up on the unmade days, because we have two cats. I love our cats but I do not love their dander and fur on my sheets and pillows!!
Erin@The Humbled Homemaker says
Love this! So…my bed gets made when our mother’s helper is here… ?
Michele says
Hubby works days and I work nights. Someone is always in the bed. Bed making is unnecessary! I’m plenty productive and have a tidy house w/out a made bed.
Meghan says
I just have to weigh in on this one=) Making your bed (and getting dressed and doing hair and makeup) is an excellent first step to learning discipline in life. If you are someone who accomplishes nothing and finds the hours of the day fly by with nothing to show for it, try making your bed. I found it led me to doing the next task, and the next. It made me feel like an accomplished person. I started working out. I started drinking enough water. I ate better and kept the house cleaner. I kept track of our budget more responsibly. I started researching and eventually bought a triplex as our first rental property (in our mid-20’s). And it started with simple things like making the bed.
BUT there came a day, quite recently, where the bed didn’t get made because the other disciplines I’ve developed started taking over. Being faithful in the small led to having ability in the great. Excitement for what I had going on made me wake up motivated, and I didn’t always need the bed made to put me in task mode.
There are days where I find I’m wasting my morning, and I always find it helpful then to go back and make the bed; like a reset it puts me back in the more productive mode I thrive in.
When trying to get in shape, you might be told to walk around the block every day. As you progress though, you leave that block walk behind for bigger excursions. If you have days or weeks where you start to slack, at least be faithful to walk the block. Once you have your shoes on you will find that you want to go further anyway.
Crystal Paine says
That’s SO cool! Thank you for sharing!
Crystal Paine says
I especially LOVED this:
“BUT there came a day, quite recently, where the bed didn’t get made because the other disciplines I’ve developed started taking over. Being faithful in the small led to having ability in the great. Excitement for what I had going on made me wake up motivated, and I didn’t always need the bed made to put me in task mode.
There are days where I find I’m wasting my morning, and I always find it helpful then to go back and make the bed; like a reset it puts me back in the more productive mode I thrive in.”
Meghan says
Thanks, Crystal! Making the bed was part of my taking your Make Over Your Mornings course in 2015. It was such a beneficial course for me. I so enjoy your personal blog and Insta posts, and appreciate your honesty and generosity in sharing your life with others. Thanks for doing what you do!
Betsy says
I do make up the bed right when I get up each day, but it honestly only takes a few seconds. I think the biggest thing is that we do not have decorative pillows on our bed so all that needs to be done is tug the sheets and covers up to cover the pillow you sleep on. Easy peasy and on to the next thing!
Michelle says
I’m so thankful for a husband who makes our bed. I love walking into the room with the bed made, but I hate making it!
Tina says
I don’t make my bed because my husband and I use separate sheets/blankets. It would just be a pain in the tuckus to figure that all out! lol
Anna says
Airing your bed out, at least till you are done with breakfast and getting ready is a really good idea. It allows sheets to freshen and dry. There are studies that show it helps kill dust mites too.
Judy says
How about the last one up makes the bed?
lyss says
I’m one of those that hate getting into a rumpled up bed! If the sheets are smoothed out nice it’s just so much nicer to go to bed in. Maybe I’m weird like that! lol.
I also make it because I hate walking into my room and seeing a mess. A made up bed equals peace and rest in my mind. Peaceful surroundings make such a difference for my attitude! One minute for a little beauty is worth it to me. : )
I also don’t have near as many pillows as you! ; )
Julie says
I agree – I love the feel of smoothed out sheets. Climbing into a newly made bed is heaven to me. It is makes the room seem less messy too.
Mrs. Daisy says
I LOVE this excerpt from your post: “All of us our wired differently and that’s the beauty of how life works! We can learn from one another. We can be inspired by one another. But we don’t have to be carbon copies of one another.”
I just posted an entry on my blog and included you in my top 8 blogs! I said that even though you and I couldn’t be more different personality-wise, I still feel like we would be friends in a real-life setting and learn from each other.
Making the bed doesn’t happen in our house during the weeks; I leave before my husband in the morning to go to the gym and he handles the morning run-around with our daughter and pets (he’s a keeper!). There are times on the weekend where I take the time to make the bed as I do love how it makes our bedroom look, but definitely not a priority nor does it determine how the rest of my day is going to play out!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much for including me on the list. You are too kind!
Most of my friends are very different than me personality wise — I think two of me would just be TOO MUCH! 🙂
Margery says
I make my bed every day except Sunday. Lol. My husband usually helps, so it takes less than 60 seconds. It makes my bedroom seem like a peaceful resort room, almost, when I get ready for bed at night. My bedroom is the most orderly room in the house.
I don’t do other things regularly. ? Like clear off the kitchen counters, like mop every week. You are correct that we all have our own values about what is important in homemaking and in finances.
Our value as women/people/mothers/wives/homemakers, etc., isn’t tied to our making our beds every day or not.
Tammy says
I timed how long it took me to make my bed this morning. It took one minute and 40 seconds. It probably would have been quicker except I was sleepy and backtracked to put the pillows on.
I make my bed everyday, always have, always will. I have read that visual clutter causes a chemical reaction in our brains to indicate “chaos” and that triggers the fight or flight reaction, equaling stress. I just feel better when I make my bed, just like I feel better showering every morning. And, it takes less than 2 minutes at the most. It’s probably one of the best values of time versus reward that I know of.
I realize you don’t feel it’s a priority for you, but my question is, do you make your children make their beds before going to school? If you don’t, then how are they ever going to learn? If you do, then I definitely think that is being hypocritical.
Nicki says
I love the budget references, we have been doing the Dave Ramsey class and it has been kicking our behinds! We have never had debt, used cash for about 50% of our purchases and we still have such an overwhelming learning curve with all the insurances, investing, etc. These budget articles have been an encouragement!
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad it’s been an encouragement to you!! I’m cheering for you!
Nicole says
having 4 kids, homeschooling, I am working part time and husband in school and he’s working part time-life is busy -but I make my bed everyday for 2 reasons, 1. In this busy season of life, I’m only getting 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night (get up super early to work out) if I don’t make it, I’m going to be tempted to climb back in for a few minutes – either for a snuggle, or to warm up or something.
2. I’m of the belief that life happens, you don’t always know if you’re going to come home at night-accidents, illness etc. I try to keep my house and life in order as much as possible, so that if anyone would ever have to come in and pick up my pieces, it wouldn’t be utter chaos- I feel like fixing my bed is the tip of that iceberg- I don’t subscribe to the idea of “well I’m just going to get back in it “- I think we take it for granted that we will.
My .02- have a wonderful day!
Ashley P says
I read a study that says it’s better not to. The sunlight kills a lot of the germs and you’re less likely to get bedbugs.
I don’t make mine, either. And I keep my bedroom door closed anyway so the boys can’t play in there. So no one sees it but me. 🙂
Amma says
The bed gets made every day…but I don’t make it. In 43 years of marriage the “rule” always was the last one out has to make the bed. Since my DH is retired and has always been the night owl, he’s been making the bed for years. (And, when he’s not available or has to get up earlier than I do, just doesn’t seem “right” not to have the bed made.) Not judging..,,just sayin’.
Emily says
I’m probably 50/50. I’m just getting a 2nd trimester burst of of energy and I made my bed just about every day for the last two weeks and I really liked it. I usually bring clean laundry up and dump it on my bed to fold as I have time, and I only do that if the bed is made.
This week I’m tired, and I’m not sure it’s happened once 🙂
Susan H. says
I never make our bed except when I change the sheets. It doesn’t bother me or my husband and no one else sees our bedroom so I figure why waste that valuable time? Like you though, my kitchen stays spotless and clutter drives me crazy. I guess we all have our “things” 🙂
Lauren Henry says
I just pull the sheets up and restack the pillows. Nothing fancy but no decorative pillows to waste. I find my sheets are warmer if the comforter has been over them. One thing my grandmother always does on vacation is make the bed even though we have a maid service everyday! ? I draw the line there. I’ll pull the sheets up but they finish ?
denise says
The semester I lived in a dorm in college was the only time I ever made my bed. And only because it was required! My mom never expected it to be done and I don’t see a need to make it when I’m going to crawl back in 🙂 plus with chronic pain I spend a lot of my evening and weekend hours resting so I use my bed more than most people too 🙂
Jennifer says
The bed being made is the last thing on my list of priorities. It gets made when we change the sheets, but otherwise I really don’t care. It’s nice to have a made bed, but I have several little ones, and it’s just not going to happen right now. Plus our baby is still in our room, so much of the day he’s napping in there and we aren’t in there anyways. I am the same in that I need a clean kitchen to stay sane, so a lot of my energy goes to keeping that clean throughout the day and clean floors since we have a crawling baby.
Therese says
Yep, I do make my bed every day. I eliminated all the decorative pillows and pillow covers to simplify the process, so I just have to pull up the blankets. It takes me 30 seconds and makes me feel more organized all day. Ironically, I didn’t “quite” make it today because my cat was sleeping so soundly on it that I didn’t have the heart to move him. Sleeping cat trumps organized house any day! =)
Calee says
I get up before my husband does and he doesn’t care if the bed is made or not. I decided a long time ago I wouldn’t expect him to care about the things that I don’t care enough to do myself. So our bed only gets made when the sheets get changed.
lynn m. says
I make it everyday unless it is sheet change day, then it gets made when I change them. I have 6 cats and 2 dogs, and cannot stand fur in my bed. Which is why I make it like a mad woman. Husband is even trained, as soon as his tush is out of bed to make it. The deal is the last one out of the bed makes it.
Crystal Paine says
“The deal is the last one out of the bed makes it.”
Now there’s a good motivation to get up earlier!
Anne says
Nope….I don’t make our bed either! We leave the house early and return late. Who has the time or energy? On work days I might get a glimpse of it before hopping back into it! Just not worth it!
Justina says
On K-love, they said you’re less likely to get bed bugs with an unmade bed. ? I’m very similar to you. I love it made, but it just doesn’t happen every day. BUT. My 4 year old son came into my room yesterday and made it for me while I was getting ready. He said, “Mom, come and look! I made your bed so you don’t have to!” And I laughed because it wouldn’t have gotten made that day if he hadn’t made it. ?
Crystal Paine says
So cute!
Heather says
Our second born (7) loves to make my bed for me. She delights in me loving that she made it and I get to enjoy that my room looks way cleaner with a made bed. 🙂
Sarah McCollum says
Nope, I don’t. This might make you feel better. 🙂
http://www.clark.com/messy-bed-sheets-cleaner-healthy
Crystal Paine says
😉
Amanda says
This link was really cool. I never make my bed and now I have supporting evidence!
Diane says
Thanks for sharing this link. I always make my bed, but now I’m thinking maybe that’s not such a good habit!
lisa says
I make my bed on MOST days and that’s good enough for me! Nobody except myself and my husband see it so I don’t put it as a priority but a clean kitchen and spotless table is a priority to me!
Crystal Paine says
“I make my bed on MOST days and that’s good enough for me!”
LOVE it!
lizzy says
Another similarity I share with you! I do love the look of a made bed, but it is last on my priorities for the day and really does not happen. My sweet husband does the sheets every saturday & the perfectionist in him makes a better bed than I ever could, so I love it on saturdays! I am with you though on a clean kitchen–that’s a must, can’t go to bed with it messy. 2nd is a clean bathroom : )
barb says
Yes and no. I pull the bed together because we have a bed with no top sheet, but a washable duvet and after years in europe thats how I choose to sleep. So as I (always the last person out of bed all my life) get out of bed I pull that comforter in place and pile the pillows Ive destroyed back to the top of the bed.
Jen says
My husband and I switched to duvets with no top sheet after a trip to Europe last summer. We have a king bed and we each have our own full sized duvet. I wish we had known about this 20 years ago when we got married, we’ve never slept better. I straighten my side every day, but expect him to do his own (which never happens). As a result, our bed is kind of half made everyday. It’s just not a priority.
Meagan says
When I was a child, my mom always strongly urged us to make our beds. Since leaving the nest, I only make my bed when I put new sheets on or when we have company. It is just not a priority for me (and my husband considers it a waste of time). Yes, it does look so much nicer but my mornings are really rushed and I am not spending my precious minutes doing something I consider unnecessary. I also do not make my kids make their beds. They help me change sheets so they are learning that skill.
I do always make the bed when I am a guest at someone else’s home, ha! That way people can think I’m more tidy than I really am 🙂 And I totally agree with you, Crystal- having a clean kitchen is much higher on my priority list.
Crystal Paine says
“I do always make the bed when I am a guest at someone else’s home, ha! That way people can think I’m more tidy than I really am.”
Too funny!! 🙂
Diana says
I make ours most days. I sleep better if the sheets were neat when i got into bed, and i hate making the bed right before i get into it 🙂 so i just end up all-around happier with myself if i make it in the morning! It takes abt 30 seconds because i don’t make it all fancy.