On Sunday, November 2, 2024 (which is getting close to being 4 months ago at the time of this writing), I had literally nothing on my calendar for that day except to go to church. Having a \”free\” Sunday is very unusual for me, but I was grateful. At that same time, I was going through a phase in my life where my character defect of \”sloth\” had hit all time highs.

I had been putting off and putting off a handful of things (particularly around the house) that needed to get done. I don\’t know about you, but when I get lazy and procrastinate a lot, my mental well-being suffers immensely. I just felt \”blah\” at that time and honestly, I was DONE with it. So… I made the decision that on that day, I was going play hooky from church and I was going to… as we say down here in Texas… \”get er\’ done!!\”

I cleaned out closets, washed clothes, re-arranged things in my kitchen cupboards, and many other things I had been putting off. While I was washing loads of laundry, I washed all the bed linens on my bed and when I was done with that, I put them back on the bed and \”made\” the bed entirely. Sadly, I have to admit that I was not in the habit of making my bed. If you are anything like me, a made bed does something to your psyche. I love walking by my bedroom and looking in and seeing my bed made. I also love getting in the bed at night with it already made.

I did a little research on this and found that making your bed every day can provide several benefits, including: boosting your sense of accomplishment, improving your mood, enhancing productivity, reducing stress, promoting better sleep quality, and fostering a sense of order and control in your life by creating a small, achievable task to start your day with a positive feeling.

Key Benefits:

• Positive mindset: Starting your day with a simple task like making your bed can give you a sense of accomplishment, setting a positive tone for the day and encouraging you to tackle other tasks (that really is true in my experience).
• Reduced stress: A tidy bedroom and made bed can contribute to a feeling of order and calmness, which can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
• Improved sleep quality: A neat bed can be more inviting and conducive to relaxation, potentially leading to better sleep quality.
• Increased productivity: By accomplishing a small task early in the morning, you may feel more motivated to tackle other responsibilities throughout the day.
• Habit formation: Making your bed daily can become a positive habit that encourages other healthy routines.
• Self-esteem boost: The act of taking care of your personal space can contribute to a sense of self-worth and personal pride.

According to many experts, making your bed every day can be considered a good habit as it can contribute to a sense of accomplishment, improved organization, and potentially even better sleep quality, with some studies showing people who make their beds are more likely to report good sleep; however, some argue that leaving your bed unmade can help air out moisture and potentially reduce dust mite buildup.

I was sharing on the phone with one of my sponsees last week and he had said that he had gotten lazy, was putting things off, and had become a bit lethargic (my words not his); and after listening to him for a bit, I finally asked him, \”When was the last time you made your bed?\” He was quiet for a moment and he then shared, \”Ya know, I stopped making my bed just about the time I started feeling this way.\” I simply said, \”Ok, start making your bed and let\’s see what happens.\” I saw him at home group last night and I asked him if he had done it and he said he had and that honestly, everything changed.

In Step 6 when I become entirely ready to have God remove all my defects of character, I need to remember that there\’s work on my part before they can be removed. On Sunday, November 2, 2024, I had to get up out of my recliner and set an intention to \”get er\’ done.\” I had to be willing to take the action needed to get me over that hump. I don\’t know what it is in my alcoholic insanity that has me become okay with sloth and laziness (and honestly I don\’t care), I just know that when I am alert, awake, and aware that I am in that place – I must take action. The benefits are amazing. How I feel about myself changes completely when I take the simplest action and make my bed. When I feel good about me, I can then be of much better service to those around me and to God.

I have made my bed EVERY DAY since November 2, 2024 (113 days in a row) and while that may not seem like a big deal to you – it IS to me. It is certainly one of the many gifts I have received from practically applying the 12 Step in my life today. I\’m grateful beyond measure that I can see the little \”wins\” today as well as the big ones.

Did you make your bed today?

In love & service,