How Making Your Bed Can Improve Your Mindset
The importance of celebrating every win.
Hi there!
I make my bed every day, but I didn't when I was younger.
For years, I only made it if I was expecting company, and then only if it was someone who might actually see my bedroom. It seemed like just one more burden on my overly taxed mind.
Then, a few years ago, I read an article about how you should do things to give you easy wins in life. The story recommended making your bed as soon as you get up. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I tried it.
Honestly, I didn’t feel any different in the weeks that followed, but I vowed I would give it a real try. Every day, I got up, made my bed, and went on with my day.
"Success is the sum of small efforts - repeated day in and day out."
- Robert Collier
Scott Ninneman also publishes the free All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off Substack) The Sunday email features the newest content about bipolar life.
Stick to the plan
Before long, I entered a low bipolar cycle.
I’m one of those people who lives and dies by my promises, so I continued to make my bed each morning, even though there were many days where it was all I could do.
A funny thing happened. At night, when I was getting ready for bed, as I was throwing the excess pillows to the floor and pulling back the comforter, I would say to myself, “At least I made my bed today.”
The tiny act felt like my only accomplishment for the day, but it was something I felt good about. My day was not a complete failure because I had finished one thing. I made my bed.
The easy triumph helped me see other wins in my life I needed to celebrate. Now, I spend a few minutes at the end of each day and try to list at least three of them.
Find wins at work
I learned this lesson again at work recently.
It was a tough day, and while I opened 10 different tax returns, I couldn’t complete any of them. Every client had failed to bring me at least one necessary document. The pile on my desk continued to get higher, leaning like the great tower in Pisa.
In my frustration, I thought about making my bed.
“I need a win,” I told my boss.
So I ran through the list of clients who had just dropped off their information and looked for a name that could give me a win. Some clients follow a checklist, so I know I have everything when I start working on their return.
I saw the name of one of my favorite older couples and pulled their file. In 30 minutes, I had not only started but also completed their tax return. With a win under my belt, I felt reinvigorated and ready to tackle the next file.
Take wins where you can
Not every day is full of wins. Many days, making my bed is still one of the only wins on my list, but you have to take your wins where you can get them. A win is a win, no matter the size.
For today, reward yourself for your wins. Take a moment to acknowledge each success and pat yourself on the back.
Hold your own little award show and accept your victory. The more wins you rack up, the more strength you’ll find to fight another day.
Journal Prompt: If you woke up tomorrow in perfect health, what would you do first? How would your life change? Can you pursue a similar life now?
Creative Writing Prompt: Similar to the butterfly effect, everything you do affects life on a faraway planet. Today, you forgot to make your bed. What happened on the planet? Do you ever find out you’re connected to an alien race? How?
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
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Me, too! Me, too! On my down days, making my bed is the one win I can count on. I cheated a little, though. I added it to the "Yay, I did it" list, but the truth is, no matter how down the day, I cannot - or will not - crawl into frumpy sheets! Like you, sometimes that accomplishment is flying solo. Additional wins I've added are brushing my teeth and preparing a meal (not just opening a can or box.) The last one is rare, I don't enjoy food nor do I like to cook it. On my "better bad" days, I fall back on laundry because of it's relative simplicity. If I'm in need of a win and there's no laundry in the basket? It doesn't take long to find something that needs to be freshened up, hehe. It's sort of like adding a completed task to the bottom of a to-do list simply to gain the satisfaction of crossing it off! (Or am I the only one who does this?)
Thank you, Scott, for your help in keeping us afloat. It matters.