Why making the bed is so important

We tend to ignore making our bed because...what's the point when it's going to get messed up again at night? Unless we have guests over to our room or being told to do so, most of us tend to not bother. So why is it that this unnecessary, simple and quick action could change someone's life?

Symbolism in our lives

Humans are symbolic creatures. Almost everything around us is a symbol for something else. Red symbolizes passion, blood, lust, anger. Blue symbolizes peace, tranquility, calmness. Black symbolizes death, darkness, despair. Items of a certain color are often associated with the symbolized meaning. A red rose - love. The blue ocean - peace. Black attire - death, a funeral. Even the weather symbolizes an event. A storm symbolizes turmoil, hostility. A thick fog might mean something mysterious, dark, a bad omen, whereas snow is associated with purity and calmness.

Symbolism extends way beyond just what we see. Infamous metaphors such as "time is money" by Benjamin Franklin, "all the world's a stage" by William Shakespeare, and "life is like a rollercoaster" (whoever said that). Actions like saluting, bowing, symbolizes respect for someone. Bare-chested women protesting symbolizes freedom and equality. Any item, phenomenon, or action, can symbolize something else depending on what meaning you assign to it. So when we take an action such as making the bed, what does it symbolize?

Discipline

noun the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

To be able to establish a pattern and obey it, a lot of patience and consistency is required. We may fight against doing something we do not desire to such as doing the dishes, or waking up for morning class, but having discipline is what gets our goals completed. A person without discipline may find themselves with many incomplete tasks, a lack of achievements and sometimes even a negative perception by others.

For every decision there is a consequence. Don't want to do your dishes? You'll eventually run out of dishes. Don't want to take the trash out? You'll have to live in a stinky house. Discipline is telling yourself "I need to do what I don't like in order to achieve something bigger."

You may be thinking: "but making the bed doesn't really have any major effects on my life! A lot of people live just fine not making the bed." True! However, you have to look at not just the action but the consequence. Making the bed itself is just an action, but what are the consequences of this action?

Control

As much as we want to remain in complete control of our lives, we know the world isn't an ideal place. There are times where our minds slip into the depth of darkness and despair, leaving us feeling emotionally detached, powerless and with absolutely no control over whatsoever. The sensation of floating around in unforeseeable directions, hoping the wind takes you somewhere better than worse. It may be anxiety, it may be depression, or it could be anything that dims the light in our soul, but it definitely is not something pleasant. Times like this makes me wish there was someone or something to bring me back to Earth. Some sort of gravity and control - a grounding element. I find this by asking: what are the things that I do have control over?

Everyone has a different spectrum of control. Wealthier and more physically-abled people may find themselves with a wider spectrum of control, whereas those with lower income and disabilities may find themselves with one narrower. At the core are one's thoughts, and wealthier people may find themselves furthest from being able to control their own thoughts or actions than they can events and people. What matters is what we do with what we can. There is no shame in having a lack of control over certain things because ultimately, no one has absolute control over everything.

When our minds are lost and we feel powerless, the biggest way to fight these emotions is to reclaim control of our life - even if it is just a tiny part. For some it may be just simply thinking that today will be a good day.

"I may not have control over anything right now, but at least I can keep a positive

mindset and give it my all."

For others it may just simply be waking up early every single day.

"I may not have control over anything right now, but at least I will start my day early and

live the most of it."

Then there are those who make their bed.

It's more than just a pretty bed

If the only benefit to making the bed is just having a pretty bed to show off to people, then the thought of having to do it may not seem important at all. However, when we view making the bed as a symbolized action for discipline and control, and we look at the consequences of this action - it's a whole different story!

As a grounding element to our lives when in turbulent waters - making the bed is an action that allows us to reclaim control to one aspect in our lives. We may not feel so depressed or so anxious about the uncertainty of life when we know there is at least one thing we have control over. This disciplinary action trains us to become consistent and patient with ourselves and mindful of our surroundings. Starting off the day in an organized and clean manner will reverberate that positive energy throughout to the rest of the day. Although it may not be much of an accomplishment, but it definitely is something!

We all start somewhere, and to some, it is by making the bed.

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Sources:

1. Your Dictionary Examples (n.d.) Examples of Symbolism. Available at: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-symbolism.html

2. Vanbuskirk, S. (2021) The Mental Health Benefits of Making Your Bed. VerywellMind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-health-benefits-of-making-your-bed-5093540