Hello! How are you all doing?
We’re hanging in there. The boys’ teachers have been really phenomenal is creating their lessons, but I have to admit that it’s a bit overwhelming organizing 2 different elementary curriculums, looking over their work, submitting it, and trying to run my own business at the same time. I can’t imagine those of you out there that have more kids or more intense jobs!
On the plus side, I’m so happy that we did the Remuddle Remodel before this happened! (Photography was slated for June to be published toward the end of 2020, but we’ll see if that has to change with all this craziness. More posts/reviews/updates on that project in the future.) The kitchen is the hub of any home, and to be able to hang out and conduct our new working lives in a bright and airy space awash in natural light is an instant mood lifter, and I’m so grateful for it.
I have a couple of updates for you all before I get to my main topic.
2019 Cottages & Bungalows Project House Final Reveal
At last Cottages & Bungalows Magazine (and its sister publication, American Farmhouse Style) have finally published the whole house reveal online (in print in Jan/Feb) of its 2019 Project House with Yankee Barn Homes! Whereas previous installments had leaked one room at a time, the final reveal allows you to see the whole house together and how it works thematically.
I designed the “Great Escape Great Room,” with the help of some amazing sponsors.
(You can read more about the inspiration here and about my fabulous upholstery sponsor here.)
I LOVED working in the saturated hues inspired by Peter Batchelder’s artwork. (More about Peter and his art in this post.)
Which leads me into my next update….
Chairish’s Designer Showhouse Sale
Chairish has collected the furnishings and decor left over from the 2019 Showhouses across the country for one MAJOR designer sale. There is SOOOOOO much cool stuff.
I have a few items still left over from the C&B house that are highlighted in the sale. Someone could make a really sweet family room with custom, USA-made furniture at below wholesale pricing!
I’ve also updated my whole Chairish store with new listings, both custom and vintage, so you should check it out.
Ok, today’s topic!!
The Life-Changing Habit That Leads to
Health, Wealth, and Happiness
As I discussed last Saturday about Home Glow’s new 5-Week “Shelter in Your Forever Home” Challenge, each week we are tackling one simple task to help us love our homes better and perhaps alleviate some stress while we have to shelter in place.
At the end of the Challenge, I will give away 1 FREE 30-Minute Consultation via Email!!!
You can join at any time, but every week you participate increases your chances to win. This week’s task was …
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.
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MAKE YOUR BED.
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Yep, that simple.
Aren’t you kind of kicking yourself if you haven’t joined????
In his book, The Power of Habit, where he explores scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed, author and award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg states, “Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget.” He further explains, “It’s not that a family meal or a tidy bed causes better grades or less frivolous spending. But somehow those initial shifts start chain reactions that help other good habits take hold.”
US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven spurred a viral video (and another best selling book) with his 2014 Commencement Address at the University of Texas, Austin:
“It was a simple task — mundane at best. But every morning we were required to make our bed to perfection. It seemed a little ridiculous at the time, particularly in light of the fact that were aspiring to be real warriors, … but the wisdom of this simple act has been proven to me many times over.
If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.
And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made — that you made — and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”
You should watch the whole 5 minute video. Very inspiring and uplifting.
Award-winning author, Gretchen Rubin found that, “When I was researching my book on happiness, [making one’s bed] was the number one most impactful change that people brought up over and over.”
Outer Order Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness
It seems that people are, in general, happier when everyday tasks in their lives are completed. It makes them feel functional. And don’t we all strive to be functioning adults … whether under normal circumstances or weirdo-crazy ones like now?
Even internet journalist Morgan Sung, writes, “this small act of being a functioning human has made the rest of my life feel infinitely more put together.”
Especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed, picking one little task to improve your situation, and doing it regularly, can help you regain a sense of self-mastery. Making your bed is a good place to start, and tackling one easy daily step is a good way to energize yourself for tougher situations.
I was so inspired by seeing our group’s made beds this week! As a BONUS, participants could also submit pics of their kids’ made beds. Hey, the best of habits start early.
There is NO judgement in our group. We understand life is tough, and unpredictable; there are babies (apparently two only a week old!!!), and C-PAP machines, and, moreover, our Forever Homes are works in progress.
A HUGE shoutout to our participants this week!!! THANK YOU for sharing your homes with us. Here is just a smattering of this week’s completed tasks:
“Living in a multi generational household, it’s important for my husband and I to have a bedroom sanctuary.”
“I love seeing [my bed] made – especially now that I am working from home.”
“Still in transition, for sure!, and I’m trying to get back into daily bedmaking – for myself as well as our five children (one of whom is one week old – strange times to have a baby!) – and would love for our bedroom to feel more “complete” and serene. Thanks for the chance!”
“Our bed is the epi-centre of activity with our baby. Play time, diaper changes, nursing, laundry… so trying to keep it made is a good challenge for me. Thanks for the inspiration!”
“Nothing fancy, but done…. This is just what I need to help with the funk I’ve been in and out of since schools closed down.”
“I love this week’s challenge, too! It’s just what I need to notice the details more clearly! Super fun.”
What about you? Does making your bed—or not making your bed—contribute in a small way to your happiness?
If you haven’t joined our Challenge but would still like to do so, never fear! You can join at any time. Each new week’s task is posted to Facebook around 9:00 on Sunday and you can post any time until Friday at noon.
I have something just as absurdly simple but stupidly important to post this Sunday. And, as always, if you are already doing these things … well … this group is just a nice little pat on the back and a chance to get to know some awesome people across the country (and Canada! I see you up there!) who care about creating their Forever Homes, just like you.
Enter the “Shelter in Your Forever Home Challenge”
And feel free to share! The more community the better, right now!
See you next Saturday, and best wishes and prayers for health and sanity until then.
-Amy
3 thoughts on “A Life-Changing Habit That Leads to Health, Wealth, and Happiness”
Hi Amy,
I was not aware of your contest/challenge, but I am completely on board with the power of making one’s bed every day. I have probably been somewhat compulsive about it over most of my 63 years, and I want it made to my specifications. But, it makes a huge difference in how I approach the day ahead, and I love the sense of order it brings in an extremely disorderly world. I always appreciate your blog posts! Thanks for keeping them coming!
Great advice, Amy–a beautifully made bed is the centerpiece of a bedroom! I almost always make my bed in the morning, and am very particular about how it is dressed. A custom made bed skirt provides a great foundation, and layers add interest and luxe. Hospital corners keep sheets neat and securely in place. A fluffy duvet folded in thirds at the bottom of the bed provides balance. Sleep pillows and decorative shams and accent pillows are the icing on the cake!
The Great Room was very peaceful & inviting, in spite of its size and height. I loved the colors! And I very much enjoyed the “made” beds. They made me smile. Great idea!
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